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Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Oily SkinSerum

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — Reddit Reviews

by The Ordinary

62nextscore254 verdicts

Updated October 21, 2026

Studies support niacinamide for acne; Redditors report oil control, smaller pores, irritation.

What the community says

Backed by 65 studies

A 10% niacinamide and zinc serum for oily, congestion-prone skin and visible pores. Redditors report impressive clarity and smaller-looking pores; studies found niacinamide can help acne, but this strength regularly triggers stinging, redness, and breakouts.

From Reddit

Backed by 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • High-strength niacinamide serum with clinical acne evidence
  • Redditors report less oil and smaller-looking pores
  • Some users see clearer skin and faded post-acne marks

Watch out for

Product details

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: Oiliness and small clusters ease for one user after adding it to their routine. 41 mentions

    Both ingredients for acne

    Niacinamide Some evidence

    • Most studies found niacinamide helped acne
    • It often cleared acne about as well as clindamycin when put on the skin
    • Some studies found it helped reduce red, sore spots and pimples
    • Some evidence is still uncertain because some studies found no clear difference

    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 on whether zinc helps acne
    • Some studies found zinc helped acne when put on the skin
    • When used with clindamycin, zinc worked about as well as clindamycin alone
    • When added to erythromycin, zinc did not clear acne better than erythromycin alone

    Studied at 0.1–15%this product: 1%

  • Hyperpigmentation

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 4 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    On Reddit: For skate-fall leg scars, one user reports fading after months of twice-daily use. 27 mentions

    What the studies found
    • All 4 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots
    • It reduced facial dark spots better than a moisturizer without niacinamide
    • Some studies found skin looked lighter as dark spots faded
    • When used with salicylic acid, it improved dark patches more than salicylic acid alone

    Studied at 2–10%this product: 10%

  • Anti-Aging

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 2 studies tested it on its own. See all 8 studies

    What the studies found
    • Both studies that tested it on its own found it helped with signs of aging
    • It improved how firm and elastic the skin looked
    • It reduced wrinkles and uneven tone, including spots, redness, and yellowing
    • It helped the skin hold more water and reduced water loss through the skin

    Studied at 2–5%this product: 10%

  • Skin Barrier

    Not proven yet

    Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

    Niacinamide: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    On Reddit: Mixed into light moisturizer, it shows up in routines aimed at rebuilding the barrier. 4 mentions

    What the studies found
    • The one study that tested it on its own found it helped the skin barrier
    • It lowered water loss through the skin
    • It increased the thickness of the outer skin layer

    Studied at 4–5%this product: 10%

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

Real Reddit threads — 603 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
4.1k

“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
2.2k

“-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

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