Formula · 6.3

Brand · 8.3

The Ordinary · niacinamide 10% + zinc PCA 1% · Canada

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
6.3

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.9Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 2
  • Active concentration1.0Above the usual working range: niacinamide (vitamin b3) — no extra benefit expected
  • Completeness for the purpose0.5For “acne and blackheads” — 50 %; without a BHA (salicylic acid) that clears pores from inside; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (bha); a formula with one main purpose
  • Tolerance0.4Above the tolerance threshold: Niacinamide (vitamin B3) — irritation more likely
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • sensitive skinat 10 % flushing is possible
  • rosaceaask a dermatologist
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.
When:
  • leave-on
  • morning
  • evening
morning and evening, on clean skin
When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4; sebum, shine — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: mild flushing in the first days at high concentration; mild dryness

Ingredients — 10 components · 2 work

What works: 2 of 10 ingredients: niacinamide, zinc pca. Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.

Strengths: actives and evidence, active concentration

What lowers the score: completeness for the purpose: for “acne and blackheads” — 50 %; tolerance: above the tolerance threshold: niacinamide — irritation more likely

Questions: no debatable ingredients in the formula

  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Zinc PCA — reinforce each otherboth reduce sebum and inflammation — a classic pair for oily skin
  • Aqua (Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Niacinamide works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: niacinamide
  • Pentylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Zinc PCA works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: zinc PCA
  • Dimethyl Isosorbide base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum base: coating, fillers · makes the product thicker or thinner
  • Xanthan Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Isoceteth-20 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Ethoxydiglycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Phenoxyethanol base: coating, fillers · the most widespread cosmetic preservative: it keeps the product sterile. Permitted in the EU up to 1 %, recognised as safe at that level.
  • Chlorphenesin base: coating, fillers · a preservative, usually paired with phenoxyethanol. Permitted in the EU up to 0.3 %.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a product whose active ingredient is niacinamide (vitamin b3) + zinc pca at a declared 10 %. The effect is supported by studies: niacinamide (vitamin b3). The effect is moderately supported: zinc pca. The formula has 10 ingredients, 2 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Well-matched pairs in the formula: niacinamide (vitamin b3) + zinc pca. Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy, oily skin, acne-prone. sensitive skin, rosacea — ask a doctor. Use: morning and evening, on clean skin. When to expect an effect: tone, pores — 4–8 weeks; sebum — 2–4. Label score — 6.3 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 2; for “acne and blackheads” — 50 %; without a bha (salicylic acid) that clears pores from inside; without a retinoid — the main tool against new plugs; without benzoyl peroxide — the best-proven agent against acne bacteria; could be added without conflict: retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid (bha); a formula with one main purpose; above the tolerance threshold: niacinamide (vitamin b3) — irritation more likely).

Who it does not suit

When to stop: persistent burning — stop; tightness, flaking — use less often or stop

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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