The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evidence-led ingredient analysis, a transparent clean score out of 100 and cleaner, effective alternatives at three price levels.
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Serum · Budget: £5.00
4.5 (28,500 reviews)· across Boots, LookFantastic, Cult Beauty, Deciem UK
Ingredients: Verified against manufacturer INCI
Last verified: 29 Aug 2026 · source
A well-formulated, budget-friendly serum that effectively addresses congestion and excess oil with minimal safety concerns.
Hazard categories
Selenssa score out of 100
Formulation score is fixed across Selenssa · Community effectiveness awaiting more reports
Based on publicly available ingredients, following our methodology. Not medical advice — always check the physical label, especially for allergies. How we score →
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An excellent high-value choice for oil control, provided your skin tolerates a 10% niacinamide strength.
Be cautious if
Patch test first if you have highly reactive skin or a history of flushing from niacinamide.
Against your clean standard
Yes, meets clean standards with only minor formulation deductions.
Where this score comes from
- Source
- No source record on file yet
- Source page
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- Retrieved
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- Evidence snapshot
- Not captured
Score history
No score changes have been recorded for this product yet.
Think something here is wrong? Report a correction · How we score
Does The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% contain parabens, sulfates or fragrance?
A straight yes or no for the ingredient groups people most often want to avoid, checked against this product's published formulation.
Free from parabens
Preservatives; the longer-chain ones (propyl, butyl) carry the endocrine questions.
Free from sulfates (sls / sles)
Strong cleansing agents that can strip a compromised barrier.
Free from silicones
Slip and occlusion; cyclic silicones (D4/D5/D6) are the environmentally restricted ones.
Free from fragrance / parfum
Undisclosed fragrance blends are the most common trigger for sensitised skin.
Free from essential oils
Naturally derived, but among the most frequently reported contact allergens.
Contains drying alcohol
Found: phenoxyethanol. Fine in small amounts for texture; high up the list it can dehydrate.
Free from formaldehyde releasers
Preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde.
Free from chemical uv filters of concern
Restricted or debated filters with endocrine or reef-persistence questions.
Is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% non-comedogenic?
No ingredients in this formulation appear on Selenssa's common pore-clogger list, so it is unlikely to be the cause of congestion for most people. Comedogenicity is still individual — texture, occlusion and how much you use all play a part.
Is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% safe for sensitive skin?
Generally a reasonable choice for sensitive skin.
- No fragrance or parfum in the list
- Contains a drying alcohol
- No ingredients flagged for irritation risk
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% full ingredients list
11 ingredients analysed, in the order Selenssa assessed them. Concentration generally falls as you move down the list.
Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
The actives doing the work: Niacinamide (Supports skin barrier function and evens skin tone.); Zinc PCA (Helps balance excess oil production and calms breakouts.); Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum (Delivers natural hydration to soothe skin.).
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