The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Naturium Niacinamide 12% + Zinc 2%
Both are high-strength niacinamide serums with zinc PCA, used morning and night. The Ordinary’s is 10% for $6; Naturium’s is 12% with hyaluronic acid for $17. Published trials used far less niacinamide than either: 2% to 5%.
Checked against brand ingredient lists on and against dermatology sources (American Academy of Dermatology, FDA, peer-reviewed studies). How we research · Editorial policy · 8 sources
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How this page was made: we compared what each brand publishes (actives, strengths, full ingredient lists, directions and prices) and checked the claims against dermatology guidance and published studies, all linked at the bottom. We haven’t tested these products on our own skin, we don’t publish star ratings, and a commission never decides a pick. Our methodology.
Not medical advice. This page compares cosmetic products. If you have a skin condition, use prescription treatment, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a dermatologist or your doctor before starting something new.
Short answer
Choose The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6.00) if your skin is oily or blemish-prone or you want the lowest price and shortest list. Choose Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% ($17.00) if your skin feels tight or dehydrated, you want to layer vitamin C in the same routine or you prefer hyaluronic acid in your serum.
Last updated Ingredient lists checked 2026-11-11Prices checked November 2026
Check The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + price (opens in a new tab)Check Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus price (opens in a new tab)
The numbers side by side
| The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (brand site) | $6.00 for 30 ml | $17.00 for 1.0 fl oz |
| Niacinamide | 10% (stated) | 12% (stated) |
| Zinc PCA | 1% | 2% |
| Humectants | Pentylene glycol | Propanediol, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate |
| Ingredient count | 11 | 16 |
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of the better-studied cosmetic ingredients, and these two serums are the default picks for many people. We compared both full ingredient lists and the brand directions, and checked what concentrations the research actually used. We haven’t used the serums ourselves.
Short answer: pick The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6, 30 ml) if you have oily or blemish-prone skin and want the cheapest, simplest formula. Pick Naturium 12% + Zinc 2% ($17, 1.0 fl oz) if your skin feels tight or you want hyaluronic acid in the same step. If either stings, a lower-strength product such as The Ordinary’s 5% emulsion is the gentler move.
How do they differ, line by line?
| The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Naturium Niacinamide 12% + Zinc 2% | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (brand site) | $6.00 for 30 ml | $17.00 for 1.0 fl oz |
| Niacinamide | 10% (stated) | 12% (stated) |
| Zinc PCA | 1% | 2% |
| Humectants | Pentylene glycol | Propanediol, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate |
| Ingredient count | 11 | 16 |
| Brand directions | AM and PM | Morning and night, then moisturizer |
| Vitamin C advice | Use niacinamide and vitamin C in separate routines | Says layering with vitamin C is fine |
| Sensitive skin note | Patch test advised | “Appropriate for those with sensitive skin”; patch test advised |
What does each do well, and where does it fall short?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: pros
- $6: cheapest stated-strength niacinamide we found
- 11-ingredient list
- Brand aims it at blemish-prone skin and excess oil
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: cons
- Brand says keep vitamin C in a separate routine
- Some find 10% too strong; the brand sells a 5% option
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%: pros
- Adds hyaluronic acid and glycerin for hydration
- Brand says it layers with vitamin C
- Listed as fragrance-free
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%: cons
- Nearly three times the price
- 12% is higher than any concentration we found studied
Which one fits your skin?
Choose by skin feel and budget, not by the 2% gap in niacinamide. Neither number has trial data behind it: the studies we read used 2% (oil) and 5% (spots, blotchiness, fine lines). Oily skin on a budget suits The Ordinary; drier or tight-feeling skin suits Naturium’s extra humectants.
Pick The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if…
- your skin is oily or blemish-prone
- you want the lowest price and shortest list
- you keep vitamin C in a different routine anyway
Pick Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% if…
- your skin feels tight or dehydrated
- you want to layer vitamin C in the same routine
- you prefer hyaluronic acid in your serum
What’s in each bottle?
Copied from each brand’s own product page (or the sunscreen’s Drug Facts) on November 11, 2026. Brands reformulate, so the carton in your hand is the final word.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Key actives
- Niacinamide 10%, zinc PCA 1% (brand-stated)
- Base
- Water-based serum
- Brand price
- $6.00 · 30 ml (60 ml also sold)
- Brand notes
- Brand compatibility tool says not to use it in the same routine as its direct or indirect vitamin C products; patch test advised.
Full ingredient list
Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
The Ordinary product page · Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
- Key actives
- Niacinamide 12%, zinc PCA 2% (brand-stated)
- Base
- Water-based serum with hyaluronic acid
- Brand price
- $17.00 · 1.0 fl oz
- Brand notes
- Brand lists it as fragrance-free; says it can be used morning and evening.
Full ingredient list
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Zinc PCA, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid.
Naturium product page · Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What did the research use, and what did it find?
- Draelos[4] et al. (2006): 2% niacinamide lowered sebum excretion over 4 weeks in 100 Japanese adults; in a 6-week study of 30 white adults it lowered surface oil but not the excretion rate.
- Bissett[5] et al. (2005): 5% niacinamide twice daily for 12 weeks improved fine lines, spots, red blotchiness and sallowness in 50 women (split-face, double-blind).
- Hakozaki[6] et al. (2002): 5% niacinamide reduced the look of hyperpigmentation after 4 weeks in 18 people.
- Tanno[7] et al. (2000): niacinamide increased ceramide production in skin cells and improved the skin barrier.
The Bissett and Hakozaki studies were run by Procter & Gamble researchers, and the Tanno study by a cosmetics company lab (Kanebo), per the listed affiliations. None tested 10% or 12%.
Which one suits your skin type?
- Oily / shiny: The Ordinary 10%, or any 2%+ product given the Draelos[4] data.
- Dark spots: either, alongside daily sunscreen. See niacinamide vs vitamin C for dark spots.
- Sensitive: patch test first; if 10% to 12% stings, try a 5% product.
Who should skip it?
- Anyone whose skin stings with high-strength serums: Both are well above the 2% to 5% used in the studies; more isn’t proven better. Consider instead: The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion ($14).
- People hoping to fix acne alone with niacinamide: The research we found measured oil and appearance, not acne. Persistent breakouts are worth a dermatologist visit.
How can you spend less?
The Ordinary at $6 for 30 ml is the clear budget choice. A cheaper still route is a moisturizer that already contains niacinamide, such as CeraVe PM or La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair, though neither states a percentage.
What should you know before you start?
- Patch test first. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests applying a new product to a quarter-sized area twice a day for 7 to 10 days and stopping if you react. AAD: how to test skin care products.
- Add one new product at a time, and give it time: the AAD says many anti-aging products take 6 weeks to 3 months to show results. AAD: get the most from anti-aging products.
What do people ask most?
Is 12% niacinamide better than 10%?
Can I use niacinamide with vitamin C?
Can I use it morning and night?
What does the zinc do?
Where this comes from
We opened and read every source below for this page. Ingredient lists, strengths, directions and prices come from each brand’s own product page; health and usage guidance comes from the American Academy of Dermatology, the FDA, the National Eczema Association and peer-reviewed studies (via PubMed). Prices checked: November 2026; confirm on the seller’s site before you buy.
- The Ordinary (brand page): The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (theordinary.com)
- Naturium (brand page): Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% (naturium.com)
- The Ordinary (brand page): The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion (theordinary.com)
- Draelos et al. 2006, Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy: 2% niacinamide and facial sebum (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Bissett et al. 2005, Dermatologic Surgery: Niacinamide improves aging facial skin appearance (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Hakozaki et al. 2002, British Journal of Dermatology: Niacinamide and cutaneous pigmentation (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Tanno et al. 2000, British Journal of Dermatology: Nicotinamide increases ceramide biosynthesis (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- AAD: How to test skin care products (aad.org)
Related
What niacinamide percentage do you actually need?
Short answer: the clinical studies we found used 2% niacinamide for oiliness and 5% for spots, blotchiness and fine lines. Serums at 10% to 12% are popular, but we found no trial showing they beat 5%, and higher strengths are more likely to sting reactive skin.
guideCan you use niacinamide with vitamin C or retinol?
Short answer: niacinamide with retinol is widely accepted; even Paula’s Choice says they pair well. Niacinamide with vitamin C is where brands disagree, so the simple default is vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide or retinol at night.
guideNiacinamide vs vitamin C for dark spots: which should you try first?
Short answer: start with daily sunscreen (tinted, if you have a darker skin tone), then add one product. Niacinamide is the gentler first try with clearer clinical data on spots; L-ascorbic acid vitamin C is the stronger antioxidant but can sting.
comparisonCeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion vs La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair
These two read alike on the shelf: glycerin, niacinamide, ceramide, fragrance-free. Underneath, CeraVe has three ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid in a light lotion labeled for night; La Roche-Posay has one ceramide and squalane in a lightweight cream for day or night at $24.99 for 100 ml.
comparisonCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs RoC Retinol Correxion Capsules
Neither brand states how much retinol is inside. CeraVe surrounds encapsulated retinol with niacinamide, three ceramides and licorice-derived dipotassium glycyrrhizate; RoC seals retinol in an eight-ingredient silicone serum, one capsule per night.