Product Spotlight: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Niacinamide has been clinically tested for use on skin since the 1970s and remains one of skincare’s most trusted ingredients.

Popular for its versatility and wide range of benefits, Niacinamide helps to brighten and even skin tone, while supporting the skin barrier.

Since its launch in 2016, our Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has become one of our community’s most-loved products. Let’s explore the science behind this muilti-functional formulation.

May 4, 2026

The Science Behind Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a vitamin and mineral serum to reduce shine while smoothing and brightening skin. Formulated with a high concentration of niacinamide (vitamin B3) and zinc PCA, our serum targets dullness, uneven texture, and excess oil.

The Role of Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of Vitamin B3 that helps promote healthy-looking skin. Known for its multifunctionality, this ingredient supports the skin in several ways:

  • Strengthens the skin barrier: Niacinamide helps boost the skin’s natural ceramide content, creating a robust lipid barrier and protecting against moisture loss.

  • Supports skin renewal: Niacinamide supports efficient skin renewal, helping smooth the look of uneven texture and enhance skin brightness.

  • Reduces signs of congestion: Niacinamide can help balance excess sebum to help prevent pore congestion and support clearer-looking skin.

  • Targets uneven tone: Niacinamide helps target discolouration before it becomes visible, helping to even and brighten skin’s appearance.

Explore niacinamide in more detail in the O. Library.

The Role of Zinc PCA

Zinc PCA is a form of zinc that’s bound to PCA, a natural moisturizing factor found inside the skin that helps retain moisture. The addition of zinc PCA to our formulation provides the following benefits:

  • Supports skin hydration: The PCA component in this ingredient attracts and locks water into the skin, boosting moisture.

  • Reduces signs of congestion: Zinc PCA also helps balance excess sebum to support clearer-looking skin.

  • Boosts niacinamide delivery: Zinc PCA enhances the delivery of niacinamide into the skin, helping the formulation work effectively.

Why This Specific Concentration of Ingredients?

We formulated this serum with 10% niacinamide to maximize its benefits while remaining safe to use on the skin. Testing shows that a 10% concentration results in greater penetration of niacinamide into the skin than a lower 5% concentration. This means more niacinamide is available to perform its functions within the skin.

1% zinc PCA further enhances the delivery of niacinamide, while providing additional hydration and helping balance excess oil.

How to Use Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% in Your Skincare Regimen

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% can be used twice daily as part of the Treat step of your regimen. Because this serum is water-based, it should be applied before oils and heavier moisturizers.

We do not recommend pairing Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% with direct or indirect vitamin C. Combining these ingredients can lead to interactions which may reduce the effectiveness of both ingredients.

As with all new products, we recommend performing a patch test before incorporating it into your regimen.

How to pair Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% with other formulations

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% pairs well with a variety of ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinoids, and salicylic acid, enhancing the treat step of any skincare regimen. Combine Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% with the following formulations for extra support targeting signs of aging, congestion, uneven tone, and dullness.

For Signs of Aging

Multi-Peptide + HA Serum: Apply Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% followed by our Multi-Peptide + HA Serum to help address early signs of aging. Also a multi-tasking formulation, this age-supportive serum combines several technologies to reduce the appearance of crow's feet, visibly improve skin elasticity, and enhance firmness.

Retinal 0.2% Emulsion: In your PM regimen, apply Retinal 0.2% Emulsion, after Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for visible brightening, smoothing, and age support. Niacinamide’s ability to help improve hydration and strengthen the skin barrier make it ideal as a skin support serum when exploring retinoid use.

For Signs of Congestion

Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: Use our Salicylic Acid 2% Masque once a week in the PM to further support skin renewal and reduce signs of congestion. This masque is infused with charcoal and clay to absorb oil and impurities, while salicylic acid targets pore congestion and gently exfoliates for softer, smoother, more radiant-looking skin.

Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution: a lightweight soothing serum formulated for blemish-prone skin. It reduces the appearance of post-acne marks through the inclusion of ingredients that target the look and feel of both uneven skin tone and texture, while also helping to reduce the appearance of pores, and strengthening skin barrier.

Apply Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for continued oil control before completing your regimen.

For Uneven Skin Tone

Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner: After cleansing and before Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% , apply our Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner to support brightening and smoothing. This exfoliator targets uneven texture and promotes more even, radiant-looking skin by exfoliating hyperpigmented cells from the skin’s surface, while niacinamide targets discolouration before it becomes visible.

For Dry Skin

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Add Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 before or after Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% to support hydration. This is the second generation of our most-loved hydration serum that instantly hydrates and plumps, while smoothing texture and the appearance of fine lines.

Frequently Asked Questions About Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Yes, niacinamide is an excellent ingredient for oily skin. Combined with zinc PCA, niacinamide helps balance excess sebum and reduce the appearance of pore size.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% may feel sticky or pill under makeup due to over-applying the product or layering incorrectly. Using too much product can leave excess on your skin while incorrect layering may cause products to sit on the skin and mix rather than being absorbed. Both scenarios can lead to pilling or a heavy, sticky feeling.

You can achieve a smoother application by:


1. Using 2-3 drops of serum for the entire face and neck. This helps prevent over-application and ensures your skin can absorb each layer effectively.

2. Allowing each product to fully absorb before moving on to the next.

3. Following the correct order of application. Start with water-based serums, followed by anhydrous solutions and oil formulations, and finish with suspensions and creams. For a detailed guide, check out our Layering Guide blog.

Note that not all products are meant to be layered. Some combinations may simply not work together. Alternating formulations on different days can help you benefit from all your products without causing pilling.

Our safety testing shows that 10% niacinamide is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, however, everyone’s skin is unique. We recommend patch testing Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% before incorporating it into your skincare regimen. If you don’t have an adverse reaction, you can continue with use. If you have sensitive skin and are still concerned about potential irritation, you may wish to start by using the serum 1 to 2 days a week and gradually increase frequency as your skin builds tolerance. If you experience irritation, stop using the formulation.

Some users report experiencing breakouts after introducing Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% to their regimen. However, there is no research or scientific evidence that has investigated the concept of purging, so there’s a lot we don’t understand.

What scientists do know is that some active ingredients in skincare can increase skin renewal and could potentially contribute to congestion for some individuals, however users often report this as being temporary.

While you don’t necessarily need to use niacinamide alongside other active ingredients, it pairs well with hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and retinoids. Combining niacinamide with other formulations can offer complimentary benefits, and its barrier-supportive qualities may make it an ideal solution to add into regimens with stronger ingredients, like retinoids.


Note that we do not recommend using niacinamide with direct or indirect vitamin C, as combining these ingredients may potentially reduce their effectiveness.

Now You Know Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a powerful ingredient that’s celebrated for its versatility, many benefits, and compatibility with all skin types. Our Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% consistently remains on the bestseller list for a reason: the combination of 10% niacinamide with zinc PCA effectively targets multiple concerns while supporting other formulations in your regimen. If you’re looking to address uneven texture and tone, signs of congestion, and dullness in a single step, discover how to make this award-winning serum part of your regimen.