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When it comes to budget-friendly skincare that actually does something, The Ordinary niacinamide and zinc serum is a bit of a no-brainer. Niacinamide is a skin care ingredient that is helpful for fading acne scars and evens out skin texture.

While zinc has anti inflammatory property and helps keep oil in check. Together, this combination makes it a good serum for acne-prone skin.

I gave this serum a go mainly because it’s been getting a lot of love online since ever and honestly, for the price, it felt like a no-risk move. It’s affordable and clearly doing the rounds for a reason.

The Ordinary Niacinamide and Zinc Serum Review

This serum comes in two sizes — 30 ml and 60 ml glass bottles. The texture is somewhere between runny and gel-like, and honestly, it feels super lightweight on the skin. At first, there’s a tiny bit of stickiness, but it quickly settles in, leaving my face feeling smooth and not gloopy.

Now, I had never dared the 10% niacinamide life before, so this was definitely a leap for me. Skincare pros often say 4-5% works just as well as 10%, but I wanted to see for myself and tweak how I used it. Every time I applied it, it was straight after my toner or essence — sometimes I’d even mix a few drops of essence with the serum in my palm just to ease it in.

And to my surprise, I didn’t experience any irritation, largely because I was buffering it out. I used it morning and night, even while juggling some active breakouts, and it didn’t throw a single tantrum. Honestly, that alone felt like it’s working for me.

How it worked for me?

My skin type is super dry and sensitive, but I still get random shine around my T-zone. It’s somewhere between dry and combination, but it leans more toward the dry and sensitive side.

I used this serum consistently for a full month, and I’ve definitely noticed some changes. My skin feels a bit more textured than before, but my pores have definitely reduced — a huge win for me and probably the main reason I’ll continue using this serum. The acne scars on my cheeks are still there, but they’ve lightened a bit, which is enough to keep me going. I also know that hyperpigmentation takes time to fade, so I’m staying patient with consistent use.

I use this serum morning and night, and let me tell you, the combination of niacinamide and my nighttime retinoid is working wonders. A little goes a long way even using it twice a day, this bottle has lasted me a good while.

It’s probably not going to tackle hardcore, active acne — for that, you might need a dermatologist and some prescription-strength treatments. But if you get the occasional breakout (maybe from skipping exfoliation or not double-cleansing after sunscreen), this serum can definitely help.

For more stubborn acne, I’d definitely recommend reaching for retinoids. But honestly, adding niacinamide into the mix doesn’t hurt. In fact, using both in your skin care routine can give you some seriously transformative results.

How This 10% Niacinamide Compares to My 4% Serum

I previously used a 4% niacinamide serum, and when I switched to The Ordinary 10% + Zinc 1%, I was curious to see if the higher concentration and added zinc would make a noticeable difference.

Honestly, I haven’t seen a huge change in results. Higher concentration doesn’t automatically mean better skin. On some days, the 10% did make my skin feel a bit drier, so I’d mix a few drops with my CeraVe moisturizer, which would balance everything out.

Overall, I still got the benefits of niacinamide, but the difference from the 4% serum was subtle, and adding zinc was more about experimenting than expecting dramatic results.

Gentle Alternatives for Rosacea-Prone or Sensitive Skin

A quick caution: this serum works well for me because I’m using just a few drops and often mixing it with my creams or lotions. If you have very sensitive skin or are prone to rosacea, jumping straight into 10% niacinamide might not be the best idea.

For those cases, I’d highly recommend trying Korean favorites like Anua Heartleaf or Centella Asiatica serums. Trust me, these are gentler on the skin but still pack a punch. Anua is amazing for regulating sebum, and Centella really helps improve skin texture. Both are excellent options if niacinamide doesn’t suit your skin.

Final takeaway

The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum has a reputation for being hit or miss, and after using it myself, I can see why. At this concentration, niacinamide can feel like too much if your skin barrier is already compromised.

Would I repurchase it? Yes. It fits my routine (especially when I get breakouts) and gives me smoother skin. It is not a holy grail, but it earns its place in my routine.

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FAQs

1. How long before I actually see results from The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc serum?

It took me about three to four weeks of consistent use before I could clearly notice smoother texture and a more even tone. I used a few drops morning and night, layering it under my moisturizer, and that really made the difference in how my skin responded. If you’re trying this serum, give it at least a month — a few days just isn’t enough to see the results.

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