Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated November 10, 2026
Studies find niacinamide helps acne; Reddit reports oil control, pore wins, irritation.
What the community says
This 10% niacinamide and Zinc PCA serum targets oil, visible pores, and post-acne marks. Studies support niacinamide for acne, while Redditors report strong results alongside frequent stinging, redness, breakouts, and dryness; sensitive or barrier-damaged skin should skip it.
What this means for you
Backed by 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- 10% niacinamide plus Zinc PCA for oil control
- Visible pore and texture improvement
- Can fade post-acne marks with consistent use
Watch out for
- 10% concentration stings, burns, or flushes reactive skin
- Breakouts and closed comedones are common failure modes
- Sticky texture can pill under makeup and moisturizer
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
What TikTok says
From 8 TikTok videos4 sponsored, marked with outlined numbers
Creators say the serum mainly helps oil control and pores 123. Sponsored creators say it suits blemish-prone and oily skin and makes pores look smaller 45. Creators disagree on irritation: one sponsored creator says 10% works without irritation 6, while one unsponsored creator warns it can irritate many skin types and broke some people out 7. One unsponsored creator found it effective on dark spots but favors it for oil control and advises a patch test first 7.
Sponsored means the creator disclosed a brand partnership or the video ran as a paid ad.
Videos open on TikTok in a new tab.
How to use it
From Reddit routinesWhere to buy
What the science says
Niacinamide, the main ingredient in this product, has some evidence of helping acne, and most studies found it helped, often about as well as clindamycin applied to the skin 1. Zinc's evidence for acne is not proven yet, because its results have been split across studies 2. For dark spots, niacinamide has some evidence of fading them, and all four studies that tested it directly found it helped 3. Niacinamide also has some evidence for signs of aging, with studies reporting firmer skin and fewer wrinkles 4.
- Niacinamide for acne Some evidence · 17 studies
- Zinc for acne Not proven yet · 16 studies
- Niacinamide for hyperpigmentation Some evidence · 17 studies
- Niacinamide for anti-aging Some evidence · 8 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 11
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ingredients
Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 637 mentions across 29 threads
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% on Reddit, in one place — 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more, summarized.
“I have found The Ordinary's Niacinamide works reaaally well when I'm about to have a breakout”
Mentioned
“just sort of reduces sebum production and stops it in its tracks.”
Mentioned
“It's suuper inexpensive, and is fairly nonirritating.”
Mentioned
“I now use the Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide in the AM”
Positive
“I don’t notice much if any discoloration”
Positive
“maybe a niacinamide serum for discoloration.”
Positive
“I loooooathe the smell of my niacinimide from The Ordinary.”
Mentioned
“I’m not sure if it’s just how that ingredient smells or if it’s just the one from TO”
Mentioned
“I would love to hear others’ experiences.”
Mentioned
“I recently tried The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum but it literally left a huge red mark/dry patch on my cheek.”
Cautionary
“Luckily, this has been healing pretty fast with my current routine.”
Cautionary
“I’d say I have oily skin but occasionally suffer from dryness on the cheeks.”
Cautionary
“-the ordinary ‘niacinamide+zinc serum OR beauty of joseon “glow deep serum”
Positive
“this has been my main routine:”
Positive
“i kind of alternate products but this has been my main routine”
Positive
“• The Ordinary - Niacinimide & Zinc”
Positive
“AM Serums everyday:”
Positive
“I had dark hyperpigmentation from popping pimples (I’m terrible) and it’s definitely helped. Using niacinimide and vitamin c in the morning also helped, and SPF50+”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Anua
Azelaic Acid Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum
Better for Hyperpigmentation
16 shared traits
781 mentions
Skin1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
Better for Redness / Irritation
14 shared traits
590 mentions
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one
The Ordinary
Mentioned together in 25 threads
“PM: Cleanser, Eye Serum, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Moisturizer”
CeraVe
Mentioned together in 15 threads
“Gentle cleanser (CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser) Niacinamide serum (The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%)”
CeraVe
Mentioned together in 8 threads
“AM: Cerave SA cleanser, pure skin elf toner, the ordinary niacinamide serum and cerave am spf 30 moisturizer”
— r/acne
CeraVe
Mentioned together in 7 threads
“AM: Cerave SA cleanser, pure skin elf toner, the ordinary niacinamide serum and cerave am spf 30 moisturizer”
— r/acne