The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Review (Oily Skin)
An honest, research-based review of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for oily skin — who it suits, the pilling and drying quirks, and how to use it.
Short answer: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is one of the lowest-cost niacinamide serums you can buy, with a short, fragrance-free formula aimed at shine and uneven-looking skin. The ingredient has controlled-study support at lower strengths (2% and 5%), but no independent study we found tested this specific 10% serum, so we can't promise a result or a timeline. The trade-offs users report most often: it can pill under other products, and some people find it drying or tingly. If you are niacinamide-curious and budget-minded, it is a sensible place to start. If your skin reacts easily, patch-test first and stop if it irritates.
This is an independent research review. We have not first-party tested this product. It is built from three kinds of evidence, kept separate below: the brand's own product page and directions, independent studies of the ingredient, and recurring user reports (labelled as such). Sources are listed under "How we researched this review" near the end.
What it actually is
The product is a lightweight, water-based serum built around two active ingredients:
- Niacinamide (10%), a form of vitamin B3. In controlled studies, a 2% niacinamide moisturizer lowered measures of facial sebum over 4–6 weeks (Draelos et al., 2006), and a 5% niacinamide moisturizer improved the look of spots, texture and red blotchiness over 12 weeks in a study run by a skincare manufacturer (Bissett et al., 2004). Those studies used lower strengths and different formulas, so they do not show what this 10% serum will do, or that 10% works better than 5%.
- Zinc 1% (as zinc PCA), a zinc compound often added to oily-skin formulas. It plays a supporting role here; we found no independent study of this exact niacinamide-plus-zinc combination.
The brand describes it as targeting "visible shine", dullness and uneven texture, and as suited to all skin types (The Ordinary product page). It is fragrance-free, has a thin gel-like texture, and sits early in a routine on cleansed skin before heavier creams. That is the whole pitch: no special delivery system, just two well-known actives at a low price.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
This is a "right ingredient, right skin type" choice more than a luxury upgrade.
| Good fit if you… | Think twice if you… |
|---|---|
| Have oily or combination skin and want less midday shine | Have very sensitive or reactive skin |
| Want an affordable way to try niacinamide | Already use several actives and are prone to irritation |
| Like minimalist, fragrance-free formulas | Want a serum that doubles as your moisturizer (this isn't it) |
| Are building a first real routine | Need something that layers invisibly under makeup every time |
If you are new to the ingredient itself, read our niacinamide for oily skin guide first. It explains why 10% isn't automatically "better" than 5%.
How to use it (and the quirks to expect)
What the brand says (product page, checked 11 Oct 2026):
- Patch test first. The brand advises a patch test on the upper forearm before use, and not to use the product if redness, burning, itching or irritation appears.
- Apply a few drops morning and evening, on unbroken skin, then follow with moisturizer.
- If irritation occurs, the brand's guidance is to rinse it off, stop using it and consult a physician.
What users report (recurring themes in public reviews, not measured results):
- Pilling. The most common complaint: the serum can roll into little flecks when layered with other products, especially silicone-heavy creams or sunscreens. Users report that fewer drops, letting it absorb before the next step, or reordering the routine usually helps.
- A drying or tingly feel. Some users report tightness, tingling or flushing. If that happens, follow the brand's guidance above rather than pushing through.
Neither quirk means the product is "bad". It tends to work best applied sparingly and slotted into a sensible structure like our oily-skin AM/PM routine.
How it compares to the alternatives
You are not short on niacinamide options. Here is how this one sits against them, in tier language rather than price tags.
| Tier | Pick | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | The value benchmark; 10% strength, minimalist formula |
| Budget (lower strength) | The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion | A lower-strength niacinamide formula (an emulsion, not a serum) from the same brand, positioned for dark spots and face-plus-body use |
| Budget (alt brand) | Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum | A comparable low-cost 10% option if you want to compare textures |
| Mid | Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster | A more polished formula; many users report it pills less |
The honest summary: The Ordinary wins on price and ingredient transparency. The mid-tier options often win on texture and how cleanly they layer. If pilling is a constant problem, paying a bit more can be worth it. We break down that exact trade-off in our The Ordinary vs Paula's Choice comparison. For other budget match-ups, see The Ordinary vs The Inkey List, CeraVe vs The Ordinary and La Roche-Posay vs The Ordinary.
For more, see best serums for dark spots.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Excellent value — hard to beat at the Budget tier
- 10% niacinamide plus zinc, aimed squarely at oily skin
- Fragrance-free, minimalist, easy to slot into a routine
- Widely available
Cons
- Users often report pilling under or over other products
- Some users report a drying or tingly feel
- Texture is functional rather than luxurious
- Not a moisturizer — you still need one on top
The verdict
For oily-skin readers on a budget, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is easy to recommend as a starting point, provided you go in with realistic expectations. It is a no-frills, low-cost way into an ingredient with controlled-study support at lower strengths, though not for this exact product. The catch is the layering quirks users report: if you have sensitive skin or fight pilling daily, consider a lower-strength formula or spend up a tier for a smoother texture. As a low-cost way to try the ingredient, it is a sensible buy.
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The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The serum this review covers. A no-frills 10% niacinamide with 1% zinc — high strength for the money, so patch-test and watch for pilling under other products.
How we researched this review
- Official product information: The Ordinary's US product page for Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (formula, claims, directions, patch-test and safety guidance), checked 11 October 2026.
- Independent ingredient studies: a controlled trial of a 2% niacinamide moisturizer and facial sebum (PubMed 16766489), and a controlled 5% niacinamide study of visible facial-skin outcomes (PubMed 18492135). Both used different strengths and formulas from this serum.
- User reports: recurring themes in public reviews (pilling, a drying or tingly feel). These are described as reports, not measured results.
- What we did not do: NeedSkincare has not first-party tested this product, and this review is not a clinical assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Does ordinary niacinamide actually work?
The ingredient has controlled-study support at lower strengths: a 2% niacinamide moisturizer lowered measures of facial sebum, and a 5% niacinamide moisturizer improved the look of spots and texture. No independent study we found tested this specific 10% serum, so we can't promise a result or a timeline. See "What it actually is" above for the studies and their limits.
What is the ordinary niacinamide good for?
The brand says it targets visible shine, dullness, uneven texture and signs of congestion, and that it suits all skin types. On this site we recommend it mainly for oily and combination skin on a budget; see "Who it's for, and who should skip it" above.
Can I use niacinamide ordinary everyday?
The brand's directions are a few drops morning and evening, after a patch test on the upper forearm. Some users report tightness or tingling at 10%. If irritation occurs, the brand says to rinse it off, stop using it and consult a physician.
Which ordinary niacinamide is best?
The Ordinary sells this 10% + Zinc 1% serum and a lower-strength Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion. No study we found compares 10% and 5% head to head, so there is no evidence that the higher number works better. If your skin is sensitive or new to actives, some users report finding a lower-strength formula more comfortable; if you mainly want an oily-skin serum, the 10% serum is the one this review covers.
We're an independent research team, not medical professionals. For any medical concern — including pregnancy, fungal acne, or a persistent skin condition — check with a dermatologist.
Every claim on NeedSkincare is sourced from published ingredient research and manufacturer data. We're an independent research team, not medical professionals — for anything medical, check with your dermatologist.