Head to head
Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide vs Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide edges out The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, 8.0 to 7.9. It wins on results, texture and feel and community love, while the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is stronger on formula and value.
Benefit fingerprints
What each one does.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Side by side
Every detail, compared.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. How we make money
Beauty of Joseon
Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
Highest score- Glass skin
- Pore refining
- Oil control
- Soothing
- Oil control
- Pore refining
- Shine control
- Smoothing
- • Combination and oily skin wanting a gentle glow serum
- • Calming skin after breakouts
- • Budget K-beauty routines
- • Oily and combination skin focused on shine and pores
- • Budget routines that need one simple active
- • Users who tolerate higher-strength niacinamide
- Propolis plus niacinamide for glow, oil balance and calming
- Cushiony, honey-like texture that absorbs without stickiness
- Alcohol-free and cruelty-free, per the brand
- $6 for 30 mL, a very low price for a well-known active serum
- Short, fragrance-free, vegan and cruelty-free formula
- Targets shine, visible pores and texture, which suits oily skin
- Active percentages are not disclosed
- Propolis is bee-derived, which some shoppers prefer to avoid
- Some users report irritation; The Ordinary advises patch testing first
- Some users break out after starting it, a problem SkinZone addresses in a dedicated video
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission. How we make money
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission. How we make money
FAQ
Quick answers.
Which is better, Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide or Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide edges out The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, 8.0 to 7.9. It wins on results, texture and feel and community love, while the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is stronger on formula and value.
Which is better value?
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide works out to about $16.76 / oz and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% to about $5.91 / oz, based on typical non-Amazon retail prices when we last checked.
How do you score them?
Both are scored on the same five-factor rubric (results, formula & ingredients, texture & experience, value, community love), using the formula or specs, verified creator reviews, community consensus and value. Brands can’t pay for placement.