The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: Ingredient Analysis
Eleven ingredients, which is few enough that every one can be accounted for — rare in skincare and the reason this product is worth reading closely. Water, then niacinamide at the stated 10%, a glycol, zinc PCA at 1%, two solvents, two gums for texture, a solubiliser and two preservatives. There is no oil phase, no fragrance and no filler: it is an active in water with just enough around it to stay stable and spreadable.
No ingredient on this list carries a high published comedogenic rating (3+).
Full ingredient list, explained
| Ingredient | Function | Role | Pore-clog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua (Water) | Solvent | The base most water-soluble ingredients are dissolved in. | – |
| Niacinamide | Barrier repair / Sebum regulation | Niacinamide is one of the most studied and best tolerated active ingredients in modern skincare. | 0 |
| Pentylene Glycol | Humectant / preservative booster | Adds moisture and helps the preservative system work. | – |
| Zinc PCA | Sebum regulation / Soothing | Zinc PCA is a quietly popular ingredient in products aimed at oily and acne-prone skin, where it plays the role of a gentle sebum manager. | – |
| Dimethyl Isosorbide | Solvent / penetration aid | Helps dissolve and carry actives deeper into the skin/scalp. | – |
| Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum | Thickener | A plant gum that gives the serum its slip and body. | – |
| Xanthan Gum | Thickener / stabilizer | A fermentation-derived gum that thickens and stabilizes. | – |
| Isoceteth-20 | Solubiliser | Helps ingredients that do not dissolve in water stay dispersed. | – |
| Ethoxydiglycol | Solvent | A carrier that helps actives spread and absorb evenly. | 0 |
| Phenoxyethanol | Preservative | A widely used broad-spectrum preservative. | – |
| Chlorphenesin | Preservative | Works alongside phenoxyethanol to keep the product safe. | – |
Open this full list in the comedogenic checker
Ingredient list copied from the brand's own page on 2026-08-27. Formulations change without notice and vary by region — the brands say so themselves. Check the list on your own package before relying on this. The Ordinary — Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (official product page)
Who it's for
Oily and congestion-prone skin, and anyone wanting to test whether niacinamide does anything for them without paying for a complex formula. At 10% it sits at the high end of what is commonly used; if you are new to niacinamide, a 4–5% product is the gentler starting point.
How to use it
A few drops on clean skin before heavier products. The single most common complaint is pilling — little rolls of product under the next layer — and the fix is almost always less product and a full minute before layering. If your skin stings, 10% is simply more than it wants.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it pill under other products?
The gums that give it slip — tamarind seed gum and xanthan gum — do not always play well with silicone-heavy sunscreens or moisturisers, and the film rolls up under friction. Using less, and waiting for it to dry properly, resolves it for most people. It is a texture incompatibility, not a fault.
What is the zinc for?
Zinc PCA is included as a sebum-regulating and soothing addition. It is the smaller part of the formula at 1%, and the niacinamide is doing most of the work — treat the zinc as a supporting player rather than the reason to buy it.
Can I use it with vitamin C?
The old warning that niacinamide and vitamin C cancel each other out came from studies at high heat, not normal use. In practice most people layer them without trouble; if you get flushing, split them between morning and evening.
Is 10% too strong?
It can be. Niacinamide's benefits are well documented at 2–5%, and going to 10% does not double them while it does raise the chance of irritation. If this stings or leaves you flushed, a lower percentage is not a compromise.
Does it treat acne?
It is not an acne treatment. Niacinamide can reduce oil and calm inflammation, which helps the overall picture, but it does not clear comedones or kill acne bacteria. It sits alongside a treatment, not instead of one.
Sources & further reading
- Ingredient list sourced from: The Ordinary — Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (official product page)
Medical disclaimer
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