The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum

If your skin shines by midday, this is the cheapest fix that actually works — applied thin, on dry skin, with patience for its famously tacky finish.

10% niacinamide visibly reduces shine and refines the look of pores.
1% zinc helps balance excess oil for a calmer, matte finish.
Apply thin and let absorb fully — the anti-pilling rule.

$28.40

On Amazon when we checked (June 16, 2026) — live price may differ.

By Patrick Smith · Updated July 10, 2026 · How we review · We may earn a commission from Amazon links.

Price when checked: $28.40; on Amazon, June 16, 2026
Best for: Oily and combination skin on a budget focused on shine, pores and breakout-prone zones.…
Biggest complaint: The texture — sticky, tacky, and prone to pilling under certain moisturizers and SPF.

Reasons to buy

Unbeatable value is the theme: dramatic reduction in oil and shine with consistent use, refined pores, brighter tone and fewer breakouts over time — for about $6.

Reasons to skip

The texture — sticky, tacky, and prone to pilling under certain moisturizers and SPF.
Some users report flushing from the 10% dose and an initial 1-2 week adjustment with extra breakouts; dry skin finds the matte finish unfriendly.

Six dollars buys a legitimately effective oil-control serum — that's why this is one of the best-selling skincare products on the planet. Users consistently report meaningfully less shine with daily use, refined-looking pores within weeks, brighter uneven tone and fewer breakouts over time. The product's one real flaw is physical, not chemical: a sticky, tacky finish that balls up ('pills') when layered quickly under silicone-heavy moisturizers or sunscreen. The fix is technique — thin layer on dry skin, let it fully absorb before the next step. Beyond that, know the profile: 10% niacinamide can flush reactive skin, a 1-2 week adjustment period with a few extra breakouts is common, and the mattifying finish makes it a poor match for dry skin. For oily skin on a budget, it remains the obvious starting point.

What buyers say

Our summary of recurring themes in customer reviews on the The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum Amazon listing (read July 2026) — not quotes or endorsements.

Most praised

Unbeatable value is the theme: dramatic reduction in oil and shine with consistent use, refined pores, brighter tone and fewer breakouts over time — for about $6.

Most common complaint

The texture — sticky, tacky, and prone to pilling under certain moisturizers and SPF. Some users report flushing from the 10% dose and an initial 1-2 week adjustment with extra breakouts; dry skin finds the matte finish unfriendly.

Worked best for

Oily and combination skin on a budget focused on shine, pores and breakout-prone zones. Worked worst under quickly-layered silicone-heavy products and on dry skin.

Frequently asked questions

Why does The Ordinary Niacinamide pill under makeup or SPF?

Its high-viscosity, tacky formula balls up when layered quickly with silicone-heavy products. Apply a thin layer to dry skin and let it fully absorb before the next step — that solves it for most users.

Is it good for acne?

It doesn't treat acne directly, but users report less oiliness and fewer breakouts over time. A short adjustment period with a few extra breakouts in the first two weeks is commonly reported.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum

$28.40 on Amazon when we checked (June 16, 2026). Amazon handles checkout, shipping and returns.

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