The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a water-based serum pairing a high 10% niacinamide dose with zinc PCA, aimed at visible shine, pores, dullness and texture. At $6 for 30 mL it is one of the cheapest well-known actives on the market and remains a bestseller. Creators with oily and acne-prone skin often report less oil and smoother texture, but some experience irritation or breakouts, and one dermatologist-led channel lists it among popular products it does not recommend for most people.

Best for

Oily and combination skin focused on shine and pores
Budget routines that need one simple active
Users who tolerate higher-strength niacinamide

Why it’s trending

130K+ sold on TikTok Shop

Source

What we love

$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
Easy to layer morning and night under moisturizer

Worth knowing

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
The Ordinary advises against pairing it in the same routine as vitamin C

How it scored

The breakdown.

Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.

7.9Good

Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.

Results30%7.4
Many creators with oily, acne-prone skin report less shine and smoother texture, but long-term reviewers and a dermatologist video question how much it does for acne and marks.
Formula & ingredients20%7.8
A short, fragrance-free formula with a high 10% niacinamide dose plus zinc PCA; there are no soothing extras, so sensitive users may prefer lower-strength niacinamide.
Texture & experience15%7.0
Water-based and quick to apply twice daily, though The Ordinary advises patch testing and some users report irritation or breakouts.
Value20%9.6
At $6 for 30 mL it is among the cheapest niacinamide serums from an established brand.
Community love15%7.6
A long-running bestseller with huge creator coverage, but sentiment is split between loyal fans and people who stopped using it.

Beauty profile

Inside the bottle.

Texture

Water-based serum (The Ordinary format: 'Serum: Water-Based')

Format

Serum

Fragrance

Fragrance-free

Size

1 fl oz / 30 ml

Key ingredients

Ingredient encyclopedia →

NiNiacinamideBrighteners — ingredient guide

What’s in it: 10% niacinamide (vitamin B3) with 1% zinc PCA; pH 5.00-6.50 per The Ordinary.

How to use

Apply a few drops to the face in the morning and evening, after cleansing and before heavier moisturizers; The Ordinary advises patch testing first.

Free from (brand-stated)

alcohol
oil
silicones
gluten

Claims & certifications

Vegan
Cruelty-free (brand-stated)

Full ingredient list (INCI)11 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand

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

Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.

Official product page

Creator video reviews

Watch it in action.

Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.

We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.

What people say

Straight from the source.

Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.

2 verbatim quotes · 1 mixed

Crave Magazine

The niacinamide serum is targeted towards oil control, breakouts and enlarged pores, making it more suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.

Joanne Brook-SmithCrave Magazine · 2026-08Source

MissLJBeauty

By balancing sebum production, it can reduce the appearance of enlarged pores over time. This is a long game product you will not have overnight success with this.

AnonymousMissLJBeauty · 2025-01Source

Price & value

Is it worth it?

Typical price

$6.00

for 1 fl oz / 30 ml

Per ounce

$5.91

DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury

About 73% less per ounce than the typical serums we review. Our value score: 9.6/10 for a drugstore pick.

Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.

Where to buy

Check price on Amazon Shop on TikTok Shop134903 sold Buy from the brand$6.00

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

Community

What members noticed.

Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.

No member ratings yet.

Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.

Highlighted: what it’s built to do.

Discussion

No discussions yet.

Tried The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%? Ask a question or share how it’s working for your skin or hair — you’ll be the first.

FAQ

Good questions.

Can I use it with vitamin C?

The Ordinary recommends using niacinamide and vitamin C in separate routines, saying the combination may decrease effectiveness. A common approach is vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide at night.

How often should I apply it?

The Ordinary suggests using it twice daily, morning and evening, after cleansing and before heavier moisturizers or treatments. Patch test before first use.

Is it good for acne-prone skin?

The brand says it is suitable for blemish-prone skin and targets visible shine and congestion. Creator reviews are mixed: some report clearer, less oily skin while others stopped because of breakouts or irritation.

What sizes does it come in?

The Ordinary sells it in 30 mL and 60 mL bottles; the 30 mL size is $6 on the brand's US site.

Sources we checked (7)