Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated August 22, 2026
5% niacinamide reduces redness and irritation; some find it burning or ineffective.
What the community says
A 5% niacinamide emulsion for reducing redness and irritation, used on face and body. It suits those with mild sensitivity but isn’t for highly reactive skin. Some users report burning sensations or no visible benefits after several weeks.
What this means for you
What people love
- Gentle 5% concentration favored for redness and irritation
- Works for mild sensitivity when layered under moisturizer
- Can be used on both face and body
Watch out for
- Burning sensation common for sensitive or reactive skin
- Some users see no improvement even after consistent use
- Not recommended alongside strong acids like mandelic acid
Product details
Key Ingredients
Skin type data limited
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 12 mentions across 5 threads
The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion on Reddit, in one place — 5 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, summarized.
“I can’t do it either. Nor TO’s niacinamide. Both feel immediately burny.”
Cautionary
“Right now I have: * The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion”
Positive
“For my face, I’ve had some success with: AM: Cleanser → Alpha Arbutin → Niacinamide → Moisturizer → SPF”
Positive
“For my body, I’ve been doing: Cleanser → Alpha Arbutin → Niacinamide → Body Lotion”
Positive
“**Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion**”
Positive
“3. **Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion**”
Positive
“Everything else looks gentle and fine, niacinamide and your moisturisers are good.”
Positive
“The products are both from The Ordinary and one is niacinamide, the other is mandelic acid.”
Mentioned
“I saw a reddit post saying to do moisturizer after the niacinamide, so do I not use the acid as well?”
Mentioned
“use niacinamide in the morning daily, use mandelic acid at night 2-4 times a week (not with niacinamide), and always follow with moisturizer and sunscreen in the daytime”
Mentioned
“I also have the Ordinary Niacinamide 5% face and body emulsion”
Cautionary
“but I don't like how my skin reacted to it.”
Cautionary
“pretty oily somewhat sensitive skin”
Cautionary
