Review
Let’s be real—for skincare junkies and newbies alike, nothing feels better than finding a game-changing product that’s both effective and budget-friendly. Enter The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum. At just around $6 for a 30 ml bottle, this gem packs a high-impact punch without draining your wallet.a
Lightweight & Practical Texture
Imagine a serum that feels like water but delivers visible results—yes, that’s this one. Fragrance-free and fast-absorbing, it leaves absolutely no sticky film behind. A fan even shared how pleasantly lightweight it felt—“almost like water… absorbs quickly with no stickiness or film.”
What’s Inside Matters
Niacinamide 10%: Known for reducing oil, refining texture, minimizing pore appearance, and calming redness.
Zinc PCA (1%): Targets excess oil and inflammation—making it ideal for blemish-prone or oily skin.
Results That Hit Different
Real users consistently rave. One reviewer noted it tackled dry post-retinoid patches—“works well… great for skin barrier and … will be buying again.”Another user witnessed rapid improvement in tough-to-heal dry spots, reportedly “cleared my skin up in TWO days.” And others shared that their skin softened, felt hydrated, and saw diminished dark spots after a month.
Community Buzz
Across forums and review sections, the praise continues:
“Oiliness is reduced… my pores look more refined… less inflammation around breakouts.”“Helps minimize pores, even out complexion, gives my skin this healthy, natural glow …”
One particularly enthusiastic user declared the product “liquid gold”—not for reducing redness but for visibly tighter pores and fading dark spots. And The Sun featured a user who shared before-and-after photos after noticing immediate pore shrinking with this serum. Amazon
Expert & Editorial Endorsements
Editorial picks also spotlight this serum’s value:
New York Post (via dermatologists) named it the Best Drugstore option in their “11 Best Niacinamide Serums of 2025.” It’s praised for balancing oil and soothing sensitive, redness-prone skin
Allure’s “Best Pore Minimizers” list includes it as the Best Budget pick, applauding how niacinamide helps smooth skin texture and balance oil under $10.
It also regularly ranks among The Ordinary’s most-loved under-$20 products—admired for transparency, simplicity, and cruelty-free credentials.

Final Verdict
If you’re seeking a simple, effective serum grounded in thoughtful ingredients—and priced at just a cup of coffee—this is your go-to. Great for sidelining oiliness, refining pores, brightening texture, and supporting skin resilience. Yes, results vary—some users experience breakouts or sensitivity, so patch-testing is wise.Still, for under $10, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% delivers powerhouse results that often rival splurge products.
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#SkincareOnABudget #NiacinamideMagic #TheOrdinary #GlowGetter #PorePerfection