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Quick Answer
The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a lightweight serum that helps regulate oil production and calm blemish-prone skin, at one of the lowest price-per-ounce ratios in the entire category. It’s one of the best-selling skincare products on Amazon for a reason, though the high niacinamide concentration can cause temporary pilling or, rarely, irritation.
What Is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of the most well-studied ingredients in skincare for regulating sebum production, strengthening the skin barrier, and calming visible redness. The Ordinary’s version pairs a 10% concentration with 1% zinc PCA, which is included to help control oil and support the same blemish-calming effect.
It’s a water-based, oil-free serum with a slightly gel-like texture, designed to be applied before heavier creams or oils in a routine.
Why We Recommend It
Niacinamide is genuinely one of the more versatile, well-tolerated actives available — it works on oil control, mild post-acne redness, and general barrier support all at once, which is why it shows up in nearly every “best for oily skin” list. The Ordinary’s formula has stayed one of the most-repurchased skincare products on Amazon for years because it delivers a meaningful concentration at a fraction of the price of prestige alternatives.
The zinc PCA addition specifically targets excess sebum, which is why this particular formula gets recommended so often for oily and combination skin over a plain niacinamide serum.
Pros
- One of the best price-per-use ratios of any serum in the category
- Niacinamide is backed by decades of use for oil control and barrier support
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that layers well under makeup
- Zinc PCA adds extra oil-regulating benefit specific to oily/blemish-prone skin
- Fragrance-free and low risk of irritation for most skin types
Cons
- Can cause temporary “pilling” (product balling up on skin) if layered under certain moisturizers
- A small percentage of users report initial breakouts (“purging”) or flushing in the first 1-2 weeks
Who Should Buy The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
This is a strong pick for anyone with oily or combination skin looking to reduce shine and calm post-blemish redness without spending on a premium serum. It’s also a sensible entry point if you’ve never tried niacinamide before.
If you have very dry or reactive skin, patch test first — some users with compromised or sensitive barriers report flushing at this concentration, and a lower percentage niacinamide product may suit you better.
How to Use It
- Apply a few drops to clean, dry skin, morning or night.
- Let it fully absorb (30-60 seconds) before applying moisturizer to reduce pilling.
- Introduce gradually — every other day for the first week if you’re new to niacinamide.
- Follow with SPF in the morning, as with any active-ingredient routine.
Our Verdict
For the price, it’s hard to find a more useful serum for oily and blemish-prone skin. The pilling issue is a real, commonly reported annoyance — but it’s a formulation quirk, not a sign the product doesn’t work, and most people solve it by adjusting how much they use or what they layer it with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this serum ball up (“pill”) on my skin?
Pilling usually happens when too much product is applied or it’s layered with a silicone-heavy moisturizer before fully absorbing. Use fewer drops and wait 60 seconds before your next step.
Can I use this with vitamin C?
The Ordinary recommends spacing niacinamide and pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) products apart, either in separate routines (AM/PM) or a few minutes apart, since very high concentrations of both together can occasionally cause flushing in sensitive skin.
How long until I see results?
Most users report visibly less oil and calmer skin within 2-4 weeks of consistent use, which lines up with typical niacinamide research timelines.
Related Guides
See the full Best Products for Acne-Prone & Oily Skin guide for how this compares to the other top picks, or browse all our skincare recommendations.