The Ordinary Niacinamide Review – A Beauty Edit

The Ordinary is a skincare brand that focuses on providing high-quality ingredients at an affordable price. Many of the products are simple and easy to incorporate into your skincare routine.

One of The Ordinary’s best sellers is Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. Did you know that The Ordinary also offers a powder niacinamide product? These niacinamide products both contain a high percentage of niacinamide, so you can get quick and visible results.

Today I will discuss my experience with both Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and 100% Niacinamide Powder in this The Ordinary niacinamide review.

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The Benefits of Niacinamide

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of my favorite skincare actives because it offers so many benefits for the skin. Niacinamide:

• Balances sebum production and offers anti-inflammatory benefits for acne prone skin
• Reduces the look of enlarged pores
• Fades hyperpigmentation and dark spots, improves uneven skin tone by interrupting melanin (pigment) production, and can treat melasma
• Improves collagen production and the proteins filaggrin, involucrin, and keratin, which support skin elasticity and firmness and a reduction in wrinkles and fine lines
• Boosts ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and helps improve rosacea
• Increases cell turnover and loosens dead cells to promote exfoliation and reveal healthier cells underneath for a brighter, more radiant complexion
• Exhibits antioxidant benefits to protect the skin from UV damage and oxidative stress

Niacinamide is so beloved because it has so many properties that address the signs of aging, brighten skin tone, boost the skin barrier while treating various skin conditions.

So, how about The Ordinary’s niacinamide products?

We know how affordable The Ordinary products are, but what makes these niacinamide products so popular?

The formula utilizes a high 10% concentration of niacinamide to help improve the look of blemishes and congestion in the skin.

The Ordinary points out that this niacinamide serum is not intended to be an acne treatment and that benzoyl peroxide and/or retinoic acid are ingredients you can use to treat acne.

Salicylic acid is also helpful in the treatment of acne. But fans of this serum swear by it for improving their breakouts, skin texture, and pore size.

Niacinamide (a 4% gel) has, in fact, been shown to be as effective as 1% clindamycin gel in the treatment of acne.

It does wonders to control oil throughout the day and over time, improves skin texture.

This serum and all products from The Ordinary are cruelty-free and vegan.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Ingredients

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

How To Use The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum

Since The Ordinary niacinamide serum is water-based, you should apply it to your face after cleansing and toning in the morning and/or evening before your moisturizer and heavier creams.

Niacinamide can be used with other skincare actives, but certain potent actives can reduce the effectiveness of niacinamide.

The Ordinary notes that you should not use this niacinamide serum with vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid and/or ethylated l-ascorbic acid) products.

You should also wait at least 15-30 minutes between using direct acids like glycolic acid or lactic acid and a niacinamide serum for maximum effectiveness.

Be sure to patch test before trying this and any new skin care product on your face for the first time.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Review

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is such a fan favorite, so I was sure this would be one of my favorite products from The Ordinary.

Unfortunately, there is something in the formula that irritates my somewhat sensitive skin upon application.

While it dissipates after a few minutes, I am more inclined to use another niacinamide (like this one) that doesn’t irritate my skin.

This is so disappointing because it is such an affordably priced niacinamide serum and The Ordinary customers RAVE about this serum and its ability to decrease breakouts, blemishes, and even help with acne scars (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation).

That being said, I noticed that this serum really helps to keep oil at bay all day and minimizes the look of pores. I have combination skin, and it works well around the t-zone to balance oil production.

Luckily for me, there is another very effective The Ordinary niacinamide product that doesn’t irritate my skin: The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder.

How To Use The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder

You must mix The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder with a water-based non-conflicting product with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0.

Mix 1/4 scoop of the spoon provided with the appropriate base product in the palm of your hand. Then apply it to your face in the morning and/or evening.

The Ordinary offers some product mixing suggestions from their own line, like the following:

The Ordinary says that 1/4 scoop of the powder contains 0.05g of niacinamide, so if you mix 0.05g with four drops of the non-conflicting base, it will yield a 10-15% concentration of niacinamide.

The Ordinary notes that you should not use products with topical Vitamin C ( i.e., l-ascorbic acid, ethylated l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin C derivatives) and this niacinamide powder in the same routine.

You should also not mix this powder with direct exfoliating acids.

The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder Ingredients

Niacinamide (the one and only ingredient!).

The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder Review

I am a huge fan of niacinamide so quickly purchased this The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder after it was introduced.

I like the fact that you can mix it with different products depending on what you are using in your skincare routine.

These days I like to mix the powder with The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (formerly known as The Ordinary “Buffet”), Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, or The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid, which contains Matrixyl 3000 for additional anti-aging benefits.

The fine grain powder dissolves easily without leaving any clumps or changing the texture of the serum/moisturizer that it is mixed with.

Granted, it’s not easy to figure out how much a quarter of a scoop is. It would have been much easier if The Ordinary included the correct size scoop.

But you have to do your best to measure 1/4 of the round bottom scoop.

Since the powder requires mixing, I must admit that I don’t use it as much as I do other niacinamide products that don’t require as many steps.

BUT, I love the pure ingredients that contain no extra fillers and how CUSTOMIZABLE the powder is.

I think The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder delivers on controlling shine, reducing the look of pores, and improving skin texture.

If you don’t mind a little extra effort, this is a great way to incorporate niacinamide into your skincare regimen.

Related Post: What to Use After The Ordinary Peeling Solution

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder: Which is Better?

It really comes down to personal preference. If you want a premixed niacinamide serum that is easy to use, go with The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%.

If you prefer a more customized niacinamide product and if you don’t mind spending a little extra time mixing niacinamide with other skincare serums or moisturizers, choose The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder.

FAQs

Does The Ordinary Niacinamide help acne?

The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum and Powder both help acne and breakouts by regulating sebum production. They also reduce the look of pore size and strengthen your skin barrier to help prevent breakouts in the future.

Is The Ordinary Niacinamide good for acne scars?

When used consistently and over time, The Ordinary niacinamide products can help fade hyperpigmentation, including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne.

Can you use The Ordinary Niacinamide with retinol?

Yes, you can use The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum with retinol. Niacinamide is excellent for strengthening the skin barrier and has anti-inflammatory benefits, which can be helpful when using potentially irritating retinol and retinoids.

Can The Ordinary Niacinamide be used with hyaluronic acid?

Yes, you can use both The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum and Powder with hyaluronic acid. I love mixing The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder with The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum for an anti-aging and oil control boost to my skincare routine.

The Ordinary Niacinamide vs The Inkey List Niacinamide

For my thoughts on how The Inkey List and The Ordinary niacinamide serums compare, please see my post on The Inkey List vs The Ordinary.

Final Thoughts: The Ordinary Niacinamide Review

Niacinamide is a multi-benefit skincare active that provides so many benefits for the skin and deserves a spot in just about every skincare routine.

The Ordinary niacinamide products are an excellent choice to help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, blemishes, and acne.

These niacinamide skin care products are especially helpful for aging, oily, and acne-prone skin. Pair with The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% for more acne-fighting power!

While The Ordinary niacinamide serum is a fan favorite, don’t overlook their niacinamide powder.

The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder is an affordable and effective customizable option, especially if you have time to mix your own product every day.

Thanks for reading!

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