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The Ordinary · Skin · Serums

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Ten percent niacinamide with zinc PCA in a water-based serum. Cheap enough to try, and sticky enough that owners complain about what it does under the next layer.

30 mlSerumNiacinamideZinc PCAFragrance-free
$6 MSRPAmazon price not shown
Check price on Amazon →

Amazon link · we earn a commission if you buy · $6 MSRP · Amazon price not shown · verified Nov 1, 2026. More stores appear here as each affiliate program approves the site.

Buy it if

  • You are oily and want less visible shine
  • You want to try niacinamide for very little money
  • You want no added fragrance

Walk past if

  • You hate a tacky finish; owners call it sticky
  • You layer several products; some owners report pilling
  • You use direct vitamin C in the same routine; the maker says to keep them separate

What's in it

The ingredients that do the work, from the maker’s label.

NiacinamideZinc PCA

Niacinamide guide →Sulfate-free →Fragrance-free →

Not in it: fragrance, essential oils, drying alcohol, sulfates. Nothing on our flag list.

Full ingredient list, from the maker

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

Known issue

Owners report a sticky finish that can pill under other products, and some get burning, redness or breakouts within days or weeks.Ulta and Sephora reviews

What owners say

Filled by the research pass: two or three owner reports from named venues, each linked, each with the date it was read.

If it's not right

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)$9.90 MSRPSeveral weights of hyaluronic acid with panthenol, now in a reformulated version with ceramides. A cheap water layer, though it pills for some owners and old fans miss the old one.CeraVe Moisturizing CreamNo maker list price for this sizeThree ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum in a thick cream for face and body. The plain standard for dry skin, developed with dermatologists according to the maker.

Sources

  1. Maker's US page: ingredient list, 30 ml list price, skin types, advice on vitamin C.
  2. Ulta reviews, about 6,000: sticky is the most tagged complaint, with low ratings citing burning, breakouts, redness and pilling.
  3. Sephora reviews, about 9,000: low ratings describe a sticky feel, burning, dryness, blotches and breakouts.

Ingredient lists from the maker's label, not our measurements.