The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion for acne-prone skin
Niacinamide
Glycerin
Pentylene Glycol
Low
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A weak match for acne-prone skin; the moisturizers alongside fit it better.
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
- Suitable for combination skin as niacinamide helps regulate oil production and glycerin provides hydration, balancing your skin's needs.
- While beneficial for your skin type, the formula offers general hydration and barrier support, which are not the primary treatments for your acne and breakouts.
- The product is safe for your skin, containing no harsh or irritating ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your moisturizer twice a day in your AM and PM routines. Apply it daily to help keep breakouts under control.
- Apply after your cleanser and toner, and make sure to use your SPF right after in the morning.
- Gently spread a small amount of moisturizer over your face using soft motions. Let it absorb into the skin for a minute before getting dressed or applying makeup.
- Apply on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture. This keeps your combination skin balanced without feeling heavy.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Stop using if you feel any irritation.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin highly praise this emulsion for its ultra-lightweight hydration and ability to fade dark spots without irritation. It is frequently noted for improving skin texture and reducing redness, though some users with drier skin or stubborn hyperpigmentation find it requires layering with a richer moisturizer or takes time to show visible results.
Highlights
Lightweight & fast absorbing Mostly Mentioned
- “melts right in”
- “feels like water”
- “light as air”
- “absorbs quickly”
Gentle & non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “caused no irritation”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “gentler than the serum”
- “no stinging”
Improves texture & tone Often Mentioned
- “smoothed skin texture”
- “faded acne scars”
- “reduced appearance of pores”
- “cleared acne marks”
Small bottle size Often Mentioned
- “need bigger bottle”
- “finished too quickly”
- “too small for body”
- “wish it came in 500ml”
Versatile application Sometimes Noted
- “perfect under sunscreen”
- “great for body acne”
- “layers easily”
- “multi-functional”
Insufficient hydration Sometimes Noted
- “not hydrating enough”
- “need heavier cream”
- “dry after use”
- “not for dry skin”
Packaging design Rarely Noted
- “hard to get out”
- “pump would be better”
- “tube gets messy”
Slow or minimal results Rarely Noted
- “didn't fade melasma”
- “no change in spots”
- “bland results”
- “too gentle”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, theordinary.com, ulta.com, boots.com, lookfantastic.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion a weak match for acne-prone skin?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion is a weak match because it offers general hydration and barrier support rather than targeting acne and breakouts directly, even though niacinamide helps regulate oil and glycerin hydrates. A product of this type needs effective ingredients that provide excellent benefits for acne and blemishes, pose no risk of irritation, and contain soothing extracts or targeted acne treatments to truly fit acne-prone skin.
Which ingredients make this cream a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
This cream is a weak match for your acne-prone skin because, while it provides general hydration and barrier support with niacinamide and glycerin, these are not the primary treatments needed for acne and breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs a moisturizing treatment rich in effective ingredients that target blemishes directly and provide excellent skin repair without irritation.
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 Glycerin do for acne-prone skin?
Glycerin helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated and calm without clogging pores or feeling heavy. It supports the skin barrier so it stays soft and smooth while handling everyday treatments.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008International Journal of Toxicology, 2019
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This moisturizing treatment goes in the morning and evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before sunscreen in the day or a treatment in the evening. It is safe for your skin and offers general hydration and barrier support, though it is not a primary treatment for acne and breakouts. Acne-prone skin typically needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to directly address blemishes.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cream with retinol by applying the moisturizer first to keep your skin soft and help prevent irritation. This type of product works well for acne-prone skin when it includes soothing ingredients and barrier support.
How often should I use it?
You can use this moisturizing treatment twice daily to keep your skin hydrated and supported. This product of this type needs targeted acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to effectively manage breakouts.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores or cause purging, but it may not help much with your breakouts because it only offers general hydration and barrier support rather than targeted acne treatment. Acne-prone skin needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to clear active breakouts and keep pores clear.
Can I use it around the eyes or on my body?
This product is safe to use around the eyes and on the body because it contains no harsh or irritating ingredients. It provides gentle moisture and barrier support, though acne-prone skin needs targeted treatments to actively clear breakouts.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Exposure 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, 2018Topical 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, 2005The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Why other moisturizers fit acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions compared to placebo in 66 participants with mild-to-moderate maskne over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, 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
How does it fit your skin?
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