Product Review: The Ordinary – Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary is the most popular of the Deciem (The Abnormal Beauty Company) brand. A budget brand that mainly focuses on a single proven active ingredient at an affordable price point without the marketing gimmicks and fancy packaging adding to the product’s cost, and has recently exploded in popularity. Here’s our review on their Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum.

Product reviews by Dermletter: A new series of personal product reviews from our DermLetter Staff. Quick, to the point, and honest reviews of products and services they love or have tried. 

What is it?

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a high-strength vitamin and mineral blemish serum. The serum comes in a glass bottle with an eyedropper to dispense the product. On the packaging, the serum is supposed to visibly (1) Regulates sebum and (2) Minimizes Pores.

Price: $5.90 CAD 30ml (1oz.); $10.60 CAD 60ml (2.1oz.)

Claims to: Visibly regulates sebum and minimizes pores. Niacinamide reduces the appearance of blemishes and congestion. Zinc PCA balances visible aspects of sebum activity.

Directions: Apply to the entire face morning and evening before heavier creams.

Scent: No noticeable strong fragrances.

Texture & Finish: Watery gel consistency. Feels very light and absorbs well. If too much product is applied a white residue will appear as the product is rubbed in and the skin is left feeling slightly tacky

Active Ingredients:

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)¹

• Shown reduction in acne severity
• Decreases appearance of signs of facial photoaging (texture, hyperpigmented spots, irritation/red blotches)
• Reduced sebum production
• Clinical testing on Caucasians and Asians showed reduced facial dyspigmentation was observed.

Zinc PCA (Zinc Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid)

• Has anti-inflammatory effects¹
• Reduced sebum production²

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Thoughts & Results

I mostly used the serum at night (a personal preference of not liking too many products layered on during the day) continuously for 2-3 months. I normally use four drops total for my entire face. Applying the serum was easy, and it glides on smoothly and absorbs quickly too. I use the serum after I’ve washed my face and then follow with my moisturizer.

The most noticeable difference I saw with using the product was waking up with a brighter complexion. I did see some fading in my hyperpigmentation but nothing drastic and noticed fewer clogged pores.

Overall, at the low cost of ~$6, I would suggest giving this serum a try. The company also has a good return policy in case you don’t like it.

¹Draelos, Z. D., Dover, J. S., & Alam, M. (2005). Cosmeceuticals. London: Elsevier.
²https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/zinc-pca