Educational guide
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus The Raw Niacinamide 5% Serum
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus The Raw Niacinamide 5% Serum This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores. This calming serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Camellia
This guide cannot diagnose a condition or recommend a personal treatment plan. Discuss medical questions with a qualified professional.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus The Raw Niacinamide 5% Serum
This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
This calming serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract to calm redness and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Niacinamide 10%
Pentylene Glycol
Zinc PCA 1%
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Xanthan Gum
Isoceteth-20
Ethoxydiglycol
Phenoxyethanol
Chlorphenesin
Water, Niacinamide 10%, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA 1%, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Glycerin
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Niacinamide
Propylene Glycol
Butylene Glycol
Propanediol
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Hydrolyzed Centella Asiatica Extract
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Glycine Soja Extract
Dipropylene Glycol
Caprylyl Glycol
Glyceryl Caprylate
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Oleanolic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Hydroxyacetophenone
Acacia Senegal Gum
Carbomer
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
PEG-60 Almond Glycerides
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Ethylhexylglycerin
Water, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Niacinamide, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Centella Asiatica Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycine Soja Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acacia Senegal Gum, Carbomer, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!