The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum is an affordable, lightweight treatment that helps reduce redness, acne, and visible pores while balancing oily skin, though its high niacinamide concentration may irritate sensitive skin.

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Rankings by Sentiment Analysis

Reddit Rank

Total Upvotes

399

Editorial Summary: People love this serum for calming redness and clearing pores but watch out—10% niacinamide can irritate sensitive skin or if you pile on too many actives. Affordable and good for layering, but not everyone's friend. Patch test and keep it chill with your routine.

Pros

✓Effective at reducing redness and blemishes
✓Good for pore concerns and oily skin
✓Affordable and widely recommended
✓Works well with vitamin C and retinol
✓Lightweight texture, suitable for layering

Cons

✗10% concentration may irritate sensitive skin
✗Can cause allergic reactions or red bumps for some
✗Not ideal for use with many active ingredients simultaneously
✗May lead to dullness if overused
✗Some users find it redundant with other niacinamide products

Methodology: Analyzed 28 Reddit quotes from skincare-focused subreddits including IndianSkincareAddicts, SkincareAddiction, and 30PlusSkinCare between June 2017 and June 2025, synthesizing common themes from user experiences and opinions.

Asked by Redditors

Is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum suitable for sensitive skin?

It may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive skin; patch testing is recommended.

Can I use this serum with other active ingredients?

Using too many actives at once can increase irritation; it's best to simplify your routine.

How often should I use the serum?

Up to three times a week at night may be suitable, but adjust based on your skin tolerance.

Does this serum help with pigmentation?

Niacinamide alone may not significantly improve pigmentation; combining with tretinoin or other treatments is advised.

Is it necessary to use sunscreen with this serum?

Yes, daily SPF use is recommended to protect skin when using niacinamide and other actives.

Reddit Reviews:

Calculated by the the number of posts or comments that have an opinion on this product

Positive

Neutral

Negative

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum

u/[deleted]Sentiment: likely positive Upvotes: 379

Niacinamide 🤌🏻

u/RheebeeSpeaksSentiment: likely neutral Upvotes: 69

Too many actives, Niacinamide is great for beginners but 10% is too high and can potentially irritate your skin, could also lead to dullness especially since you're pairing it with so many actives.

u/Lilith_SupremacistSentiment: likely negative Upvotes: 17

It’s working well for me. Took an adjustment period but my face is so much less red now.

u/cecody3Sentiment: likely positive Upvotes: 9

I use vitamin c/niacinamide in the AM and tretinoin at night with hyaluronic acid (had a labo premium). Helps with all you describe! I use the summer Fridays cc serum because I like the texture, but you can find much more affordable products like timeless vitamin c or the ordinary niacinamide. I’m assuming you use spf.

u/skinimin69Sentiment: likely neutral Upvotes: 7

Please don't continue using something that is giving you a reaction. It is not a purge and your skin won't just get used to it. It seems like you've determined the product causing it relatively early on, so just go with a gentle routine that feels safe until it heals up.

u/[deleted]Sentiment: likely negative Upvotes: 5

Edit: the niacinamide serum might be a good morning addition for your pore concerns!

u/[deleted]Sentiment: likely positive Upvotes: 5

I would replace that sunscreen with something better. Also take out that niacinamide. Niacinamide is already present in your cleanser and moisturizer. If you want something maybe replace that with a peptide serum

u/PinkPoosySentiment: likely negative Upvotes: 4

Niacinamide for sure :)

u/Ok_Butterscotch5667Sentiment: likely neutral Upvotes: 4

Tried this serum out, love the texture way more than TO niacinamide serum. Either the niacinamide or zinc in this irritated my skin, I assume it was the strength of niacinamide as am using a 5% toner now and my skin is nuch better.

u/Balue232Sentiment: likely negative Upvotes: 3

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