
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated September 23, 2026
Niacinamide 10% plus zinc helps oil and pores; 10% can sting.
What the community says
A 10% niacinamide serum with zinc, meant for oil control, pores, and breakouts. Redditors say it can smooth texture and calm sebum, and studies found niacinamide and zinc both help acne. The catch is the 10% dose: plenty of people get stinging, redness, or breakouts.
What this means for you
Backed by 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
Watch out for
- 10% hits too hard for sensitive skin
- Redness and stinging are common complaints
- Some people break out or flare badly
Product details
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies
On Reddit: Niacinamide 10% plus zinc 1% serum controls sebum and visibly reduces blackheads and pores overnight. 39 mentions
Both ingredients for acne
Niacinamide Some evidence
- Most studies found niacinamide helped acne
- Some studies found 4% niacinamide cleared acne about as well as clindamycin
- One study found 4% niacinamide improved red, sore spots, but IPL worked better
- Some research found no clear difference, and a large review said the effects were uncertain
Studied at 4–10%this product: 10%
Zinc Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
4 studies tested it on its own. See all 16 studies
- The results were split, so there is no clear answer yet
- Some studies found zinc helped acne when put on the skin
- Used with clindamycin, zinc worked about as well as clindamycin alone
- Used with erythromycin, zinc did not clear acne better than erythromycin alone
Studied at 0.1–15%this product: 1%
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Niacinamide: 5 studies tested it on its own. See all 24 studies
On Reddit: Niacinamide and zinc serum lightens dark spots and calms redness after months of consistent daily use. 24 mentions
What the studies found
- All of these studies found niacinamide helped fade dark spots or patches
- In clinical trials, 5% niacinamide faded dark spots more than a placebo
- It also helped when used with salicylic acid peels, more than peels alone
- Used on its own, it helped, but one study found a niacinamide mix worked better
- One study found the fading effect reversed after stopping niacinamide
Studied at 2–10%this product: 10%
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 556 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





