The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for dry sensitive skin
Niacinamide
Zinc Pca
Pentylene Glycol
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Xanthan Gum
High
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for dry sensitive skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
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Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers excellent treatment for oily skin and blemishes due to the presence of niacinamide and zinc pca in high concentrations for reducing sebum production and inflammation.
- Provides general skincare benefits, such as hydration and soothing, which are supportive for your dry or flaky skin and sensitivity due to the presence of Niacinamide and Zinc PCA in concentrations that provide general skincare benefits.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry and sensitive skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing ingredients like Niacinamide and Zinc PCA.
How to apply
- Use this PM routine for your evening skincare. Start using the serum 3 times a week and increase to daily use if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer. This step locks in deep hydration for dry skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin using your palms. Let it absorb completely for a minute ⏱ before applying your next product.
- Since your skin is sensitive, apply the serum on completely dry skin for better tolerance and less irritation.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Always do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin reacts well.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 10.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily and acne-prone skin frequently praise this serum for its ability to regulate sebum production and minimize the appearance of pores, often resulting in a clearer, smoother complexion. A notable minority of users experience adverse reactions, including breakouts and irritation, suggesting the high 10% concentration may be too harsh for sensitive skin types.
Highlights
Minimizes pores Mostly Mentioned
- “pores look significantly smaller”
- “refined skin texture”
- “tightens enlarged pores”
Unbeatable price Mostly Mentioned
- “extremely affordable”
- “great value for money”
- “best budget skincare item”
Clears acne Often Mentioned
- “cleared up my cystic acne”
- “reduces frequency of breakouts”
- “fades dark spots quickly”
Reduces oil Often Mentioned
- “controlled my sebum production”
- “less greasy throughout the day”
- “mattifies my T-zone”
Texture issues Often Mentioned
- “pills under makeup”
- “leaves a sticky residue”
- “foams up when rubbed”
Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “broke me out in cysts”
- “caused tiny whiteheads”
- “worst purging of my life”
Skin irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused redness and burning”
- “too harsh for sensitive skin”
- “dried out my face”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.com, theordinary.com, influenster.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes The Ordinary Niacinamide a great fit for dry sensitive skin?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a great fit because it provides gentle hydration and soothing benefits that are supportive for dry and sensitive skin. It features an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients, meaning it is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
What does Niacinamide do for dry sensitive skin?
Niacinamide helps dry sensitive skin by calming irritation and keeping moisture locked in so your face feels soft and smooth. It works to build up your skin barrier and calm redness while being very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013
What does Zinc PCA do for dry sensitive skin?
Zinc PCA is unlikely to provide the deep moisture and rich comfort that dry sensitive skin needs. A product for this skin type needs soothing ingredients and gentle hydrators to keep the face soft and calm without irritation.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, followed by a moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation on dry and sensitive skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and contains soothing components.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol product, or by using this serum in the morning and your retinol at night. Because this product has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients like Niacinamide, it is unlikely to irritate dry or sensitive skin when combined with other active treatments.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum fits well into your routine for evening use, starting once a week and applying it more often as your skin adjusts. It is unlikely to irritate dry and sensitive skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This serum is a great fit for your dry sensitive skin and has a safe formula with soothing ingredients that are unlikely to irritate. While some reviewers mention breakouts, the ingredients help calm skin and provide hydration without harsh additives.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Zinc PCA inhibits UVA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production through suppressed AP-1 activation and enhances type I collagen synthesis by increasing SVCT2 mRNA expression in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012Exposure of epidermal full-thickness skin equivalents to a blend of betaine, pentylene glycol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Rhodiola rosea root extract significantly increased antioxidant, skin barrier, and oxidative stress biomarkers while reducing the negative impact of hydrogen peroxide on MMP3, MMP12, FBN2, ANXA1, and HGF, whereas a blend of Narcissus tazetta bulb extract and Schisandra chinensis fruit extract significantly increased 8 growth factors, 7 signaling, 7 structural/barrier function, 7 oxidative stress biomarkers, and specific microRNAs over control levels.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018Biodegradable wound dressings functionalized with silver nanoparticles showed >99% pathogen growth inhibition, bactericidal effects, free radical scavenging, reduced inflammatory response in macrophages, and accelerated wound healing in animals.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2022A topical xanthan gum nanogel containing gamma-oryzanol-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers and nanosized TiO2 and MBBT filters demonstrated high photoprotection with an SPF of 34 and no skin irritation or sensitization in a rat model.
Pharmaceuticals, 2023Dense chitosan-xanthan membranes associated with multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells accelerated wound healing in Wistar rats compared to untreated conditions, demonstrating safety and feasibility for dermo-epidermal wound treatment.
Journal of Biomaterials Applications, 2015
Ingredients
Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc Pca, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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