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 one of those all-rounder ingredients — it helps fade acne scars, evens out hyperpigmentation, and smooths your skin texture. Zinc’s no slouch either; it’s got antibacterial and anti-inflammatory powers, plus it helps keep oil production in check (so, fewer unwanted breakouts). Together, they make a pretty solid duo for anyone dealing with marks, spots, or skin that’s just doing a bit too much.
My review
The Ordinary niacinamide and zinc serum packs in 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc, and comes in a simple 30ml or 60ml glass bottle — nothing fancy, just straight to the point. The texture is kind of like a lightweight gel, smooth and easy to apply. I did notice a bit of stickiness at first after application but it settles down pretty quickly once it’s on the 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.
Here’s the deal, I’d never used 10% niacinamide before this. Total newbie to the high-strength stuff. Which is why I decided to play it safe and go the cautious route. Every time I used it, I’d use it on right after my toner or essence, sometimes even mixing a few drops of essence with it in my palm just to, you know, ease it in.
And honestly? So far, so good. No dry patches, no weird flakiness—my skin’s been handling it like a champ. I’ve always stuck to the 4–5% range in my routine, so this was kind of a leap for me. Especially since I was using it both morning and night. But being cautious on skin can be cute.
My results
My skin’s usually super dry and sensitive, but I still get that random midday shine around my T-zone — so yeah, classic combo skin. But honestly, it leans way more on the dry side. I used this serum consistently for a full month, and I’ve definitely noticed some changes. The acne scars on my cheeks? They’re still there, but they’ve lightened up a bit — nothing dramatic, but enough to make me keep going with it. One thing I did notice is that my skin feels a bit more textured than before, which I wasn’t expecting. Still, overall, it’s been doing more good than harm.
I use this serum morning and night, and let me tell you, the combo 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.
This serum is pretty much for all skin types. Whether you’ve got oily, combo, or dry skin, it’ll do its thing — especially if you’ve got any texture issues or need help regulating oil. It’s probably not going to tackle hardcore acne, but if you get the occasional breakout (maybe from not exfoliating enough or not double cleansing at night after your sunscreen), this could 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, this combo can give you some seriously transformative results.
Final takeaway
The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum is definitely been getting mixed reviews. For some people, it’s pure magic in a bottle and working well for them. For others, especially those with super sensitive skin? I guess, not so much. As for me and my dry, sensitive skin? It’s been just fine. Not a total game-changer, but it’s done a decent job.
I didn’t get that “wow” moment like I have with other serums but I did notice a smoother skin texture and my T-zone isn’t turning into a midday oil slick like it used to, so that’s a win for me.
Would I repurchase it? Honestly, yeah. For the price and the way it evens out skin texture, it’s a solid alternative to the spendy stuff. Not holy grail status but still worthy of a spot on the shelf.