The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for acne-prone skin
Niacinamide
Zinc Pca
Pentylene Glycol
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Xanthan Gum
Superior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best serums for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Excellent suitability for your combination skin and acne, blemishes, and breakouts as niacinamide and zinc pca work synergistically to regulate sebum production and reduce inflammation.
- The formulation is also beneficial for oily skin, providing effective treatment for blemishes and breakouts.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like niacinamide and zinc pca.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
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 10% + Zinc 1% one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
This treatment is one of the best fits because niacinamide and zinc pca work together to control oily shine and calm inflammation for acne-prone skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to the soothing ingredients and lack of harsh additives.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide and zinc pca make this serum a great fit for acne-prone skin because they work together to control oil and calm redness. This helps treat blemishes and breakouts safely while keeping your skin comfortable.
What does Niacinamide do for acne-prone skin?
Niacinamide helps acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed and uninflamed breakouts and calming redness. It is also very helpful for keeping oily skin balanced by cutting down on excess oil production, and it is well tolerated by most people.
What does Zinc PCA do for acne-prone skin?
Zinc PCA helps calm acne-prone skin by fighting bacteria and keeping oily shine under control. This ingredient is generally well tolerated and may reduce breakouts when used as part of your regular routine.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to the gentle formula.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol product. This approach is unlikely to cause irritation because the formula lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components like niacinamide and zinc pca.
How often should I use this serum?
Use this serum in your evening routine. It is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because niacinamide and zinc pca work together to calm redness and control oil.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as it features soothing ingredients that help calm blemishes and regulate oil without harsh irritants. Reviewers occasionally mention breakouts, so you may want to patch test it first.
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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