Reduces midday shine and smooths T-zone pores with consistent, gentle use.
A frank, field-tested look at The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for pores and shine, including what it does well, what it cannot do, and how to get results without pilling.
Overview
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a no-frills, water-based serum built around two crowd-pleasing actives. You get a high 10 percent concentration of niacinamide to help regulate oil, even the look of tone, and reinforce the skin barrier, plus 1 percent zinc PCA to support sebum control. The formula is fragrance-free and oil-free, packaged in a simple dropper bottle, and designed to layer under moisturizer and sunscreen.
Niacinamide is one of the most versatile skincare ingredients for daily use. It helps normalize visible oiliness, softens the look of enlarged pores by keeping the lining of the pore clearer, and can reduce the look of redness and post-blemish marks. It also supports ceramide production and improves the skin’s water retention over time. Zinc PCA plays a supporting role to calm and subtly curb shine, especially through the T-zone.
At 10 percent, this serum aims to deliver results you can see in a few weeks. That strength is common on the market and tolerated by many, though it can be too much for a subset of sensitive or barrier-impaired skin. The base feels lightweight with a slightly gel-like slip that dries down to a tacky finish if you use too much or layer it with heavy silicone products. Results are not instant. Expect a gradual decrease in midday shine first, then a more refined look to pores, and finally a slow fade of leftover post-acne marks.
If you want a budget-friendly shine tamer that doubles as a tone-balancing daily helper, this is one of the most accessible options. Just know that application technique matters, and patience pays off more than piling it on.
Who it’s for
This serum is best for people managing oil, visible T-zone pores, or frequent but mild breakouts. If you regularly blot your forehead by lunch or see foundation sliding off the nose and chin, 10 percent niacinamide is a smart everyday support act. It can also help if you deal with lingering pink or brown marks after blemishes, or if you want a simple, fragrance-free step to bolster your barrier while you use stronger actives at night.
Combination and oily skin types are the sweet spot. Normal skin that runs a little shiny in hot weather can also benefit, especially seasonally. If your skin is dry and tight, you might still like niacinamide but in a richer base or at a lower percentage. Those with very sensitive, easily flushed skin may find 10 percent prickly at first. Patch test and consider applying it only to the T-zone or every other day until you know how you respond.
If you are looking for a primary acne treatment for painful inflamed blemishes or cystic breakouts, this is not it. Keep this serum in the supporting role for oil balance and tone while your main treatments do the heavy lifting. If you already use a retinoid or exfoliating acids, niacinamide often plays nicely as the steady buffer that helps your skin tolerate that routine.
How it feels and performs
Texture: clear, watery gel. A few drops spread easily but can feel slightly slippery and then tacky as it dries. That tackiness mostly disappears after moisturizer and sunscreen, but the finish can turn sticky if you use a lot or layer it under heavy silicone primers or dense mineral sunscreens.
Scent: neutral. There is no added fragrance, and you will not notice anything once it dries.
Layering: it works best early in the routine on clean skin. Because of the base, it can pill if you rub vigorously or pair it with thick, powdery formulas. More on how to avoid that below.
Performance timeline:
- Days 3 to 7: many users notice less midday shine, especially across the nose and forehead. Makeup tends to grip better along the T-zone.
- Weeks 2 to 4: the look of enlarged pores often appears more refined. This is not shrinking the actual pore opening, which no topical can permanently do, but rather keeping oil flow steadier and the pore lining clearer so the texture looks smoother.
- Weeks 4 to 8: gradual improvement in uneven tone and post-blemish marks. Niacinamide does not bleach or resurface the skin, so the change is measured and subtle. It pairs well with sunscreen to prevent new discoloration.
Breakouts: this serum helps reduce the number of tiny surface bumps and some whiteheads by supporting a less oily environment. It is not a spot treatment and will not replace targeted acne medications, but it makes many routines more stable and less reactive over time.
Sensations: some people feel a brief tingle or see transient redness, especially during the first week or when applied after a low pH acid. If that happens, cut back on frequency, apply it over a light moisturizer, or confine it to the T-zone. If you experience persistent stinging or increased breakouts that last beyond two weeks, stop and reassess your routine.
Pilling: this is the most common complaint. The serum’s film-forming dry down can clash with heavy silicones or zinc-heavy sunscreens. Using fewer drops, patting instead of rubbing, and letting it fully absorb before the next step usually fixes it. A lightweight gel-cream on top also helps the finish feel smooth under makeup.
How to use for best results
Start simple and let this serum prove itself over two to four weeks. A thoughtful application makes a bigger difference than adding more drops.
Step-by-step:
- Patch test and place: try it on your jawline or behind the ear for 24 hours. If clear, plan to apply after cleansing and before moisturizer.
- Use the right amount: 2 to 4 drops for the whole face, or 1 to 2 drops just for the T-zone. Too much creates tackiness and increases pilling.
- Apply to slightly damp skin: lightly mist or pat in a hydrating toner first, then smooth the serum with fingertips and finish by pressing palms over the skin. Avoid vigorous rubbing.
- Let it set: wait 60 to 90 seconds before moisturizer, then another minute before sunscreen. This brief pause reduces the chance of the serum balling up when you layer.
- Choose compatible partners: pair with a light gel or gel-cream moisturizer and a fluid sunscreen. If your go-to products are heavy in silicones or feel powdery-smooth, expect more pilling. Consider using niacinamide at night instead.
- Build frequency slowly: start once daily for a week, then move to twice daily if your skin wants the extra oil control. Sensitive or dry types may do best with once-daily or every-other-day use.
- Layering with actives: you can use niacinamide alongside vitamin C and retinoids, but be mindful of your skin’s tolerance. If your routine already includes strong exfoliating acids, consider alternating nights or applying niacinamide in the morning and acids at night to reduce the risk of irritation.
- Spot-target when useful: if cheeks are normal but your nose gleams by noon, apply it only to the T-zone. You will get the benefits where you need them without over-treating balanced areas.
Troubleshooting:
- Pilling: cut the amount in half, switch to patting, and try a lighter moisturizer or a less matte sunscreen. Allow more dry-down time between layers.
- Sting or flush: apply over a thin layer of moisturizer, reduce to once daily, or take a day off after exfoliation. If flushing persists, this concentration may be too high for you.
- Dry patches: add a ceramide-rich moisturizer, and keep exfoliation mild while your skin adjusts. Niacinamide generally helps the barrier, but too many actives in one routine can tip the balance.
Pros and cons
- Pros
- Noticeably reduces midday shine with steady use.
- Gives the look of smaller pores by keeping the pore lining clearer.
- Fragrance-free, oil-free, and layers under most routines.
- Budget-friendly way to add a proven multitasker.
- Can support a stronger routine with retinoids or acids by improving tolerance.
- Cons
- Can feel tacky and may pill under heavy silicones or dense mineral sunscreens.
- 10 percent is too strong for some, leading to transient redness or itchiness.
- Not a spot treatment and will not clear moderate to severe acne on its own.
- Results for tone and post-blemish marks are gradual, not dramatic.
Final verdict
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% earns its popularity by doing two things well at a very fair price: it curbs excess shine and makes T-zone texture look smoother. Give it a few weeks and a patient hand with layering, and you will likely see fewer blotting papers and a more even canvas for makeup. If you are very oily or battle daily congestion, it is a worthy staple. If your skin is dry, reactive, or easily flushed, try it just on the T-zone, buffer it over a light moisturizer, or consider a lower-strength niacinamide formula.
It is not magic, and it will not permanently shrink pores or replace targeted acne treatments. But as a steady, supportive step for pores, shine, and overall tone, this simple serum is hard to beat if you respect its quirks and let time do the rest.
See also
If you are curious about what niacinamide can truly accomplish, clear up common confusion with Niacinamide Myths vs Reality: What It Can and Cannot Do. And if you are building a routine around this serum, you might also like our curated picks in Best Niacinamide Serums for Pores and Tone to compare textures and strengths.
Shine control starts with a gentle cleanse and the right hydrator. Explore formulas that respect skin’s natural acidity in Skin pH Basics: Why It Matters and How to Keep Balance, match your wash to your T-zone in Best Face Cleansers for Oily Skin, and keep your finish fresh with lightweight picks from Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Hydrate, Control Shine, No Clogs.
FAQ
Will this actually shrink my pores?
No topical can permanently shrink pores, but this serum can make them look smaller by reducing excess oil and keeping the pore lining clearer. Expect a smoother-looking T-zone in about 2 to 4 weeks with consistent use.
How long before I see less shine during the day?
Many people notice improved oil control within the first week, sometimes as early as day three. Give it at least two weeks before judging, and adjust the amount to avoid a sticky finish.
Can I use it with vitamin C, retinoids, or acids?
Yes, you can pair niacinamide with vitamin C and retinoids. If your routine includes strong exfoliating acids, consider alternating days or applying acids at night and niacinamide in the morning to reduce the chance of irritation.
Does niacinamide cause purging or more breakouts?
Niacinamide is not an exfoliant and does not cause purging in the classic sense. If you notice increased breakouts, it is more likely irritation, a layering conflict, or another product in your routine. Cut back, simplify, and reintroduce slowly.
How do I prevent pilling under sunscreen or makeup?
Use fewer drops, pat rather than rub, allow 60 to 90 seconds of dry-down between layers, choose a lightweight gel-cream moisturizer, and pair with a fluid sunscreen. If pilling persists, try using the serum at night or only on the T-zone.
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