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8.4

The Ordinary

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Estée Lauder Companies · acquired DECIEM 2021

$6.50 · 1 oz · $6.50/oz

Strong

Evidence-backed concentration. Fully transparent. Outstanding value. 10% may irritate sensitive skin.

Evidence
8
Honesty
9
Value
8

Claim verdicts

Niacinamide at 10% (above 2-5% effective threshold)Verified
Zinc PCA at 1% for sebum regulationVerified

Ingredients

FDA 21 CFR 701.3 · descending order

First 4 ingredients · INCI order

Water · Niacinamide 10% · Pentylene Glycol · Zinc PCA 1%

What the brand foregrounds

Niacinamide 10% · Zinc PCA 1%

May not suit

Sensitive skin or rosacea-prone skin (10% above the typical 2-5% therapeutic dose)

Layered with vitamin C without spacing — may reduce both actives' efficacy

Observational, drawn from published dermatology literature. Not medical advice. Your provider knows your skin.

What would change this score

Score would fall below 7 if DECIEM/Estée Lauder substantially raised the price without reformulation, or if new evidence demonstrated 10% niacinamide caused meaningful sensitization vs. 5% formulations.

Methodology notes

Niacinamide above minimum effective dose (2-5% per published literature). Surplus concentration may cause irritation in sensitive skin. Full INCI disclosure with percentages. Now Estée Lauder ownership (acquired DECIEM 2021).

Last verified 2026-04-15 · v1.1

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