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Niacinamide is one of the most potent skincare ingredients; also known as vitamin B3, it can be used to address nearly every skincare concern or skin type.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is one of The Ordinary’s most popular skincare products. It is a very effective and inexpensive treatment that can be used to reduce enlarged pores, correct uneven skin tone, balance sebum production, and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
This is a specially formulated water-based serum that is made for many skin types, but mostly for oily skin. It is easy to apply and works to eliminate blemishes and congestion, and it also gives you skin that looks and feels much better.
Read on to find out if The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum is the ideal serum for you and how to use it in your daily skincare routine.
What Does the Ordinary Niacinamide Do to Your Skin?
The Ordinary Niacinamide serum has many benefits for the skin. In addition to its powerful antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties, it can also:
Increase your skin’s natural ability to regulate its own sebum production while also reducing the appearance of imperfections such as pimples and blemishes.
Help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, making it better able to defend itself from environmental irritants.
Reduce inflammation, which may ease rosacea, and alleviate the redness associated with acne and eczema.
Help reverse some visible signs of sun damage, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
With regular use, your skin can remain clear and smooth for a very long time, and the treatment is not harsh on your skin at all. It is good to your skin and enables it to be much healthier all the way around.
How to Use the Ordinary Niacinamide the Right Way?
The Ordinary Niacinamide should be used twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. It should be used after you cleanse and tone your skin, but before you use your moisturizer.
All you have to do is pat a thin layer of it onto your face and neck area and wait until it’s fully absorbed. Then, you can follow with your usual moisturizer. You do not rinse off the serum but keep it on after you apply it. You can also apply sunscreen after the treatment if you like.
How Often Should I Use the Ordinary Niacinamide?
At first, it’s recommended that you use the Ordinary Niacinamide only once a week until you see what it does to your skin. While side effects are rare and usually minor, they do occur.
If the serum produces no unpleasant effects, increase the usage to twice a week. Eventually, you’ll want to use this serum daily, but it’s best to build up slowly until you figure out how many times per week you can use it without experiencing any negative effects.
What Should Niacinamide Be Used with?
Vitamin C and acid treatments should not be used with any product containing niacinamide. That being said, these ingredients can be used on days when your niacinamide treatment isn’t being used.
You can use niacinamide with many other skincare products, but make sure you read the instructions that come with each of these products so that you don’t accidentally mix the wrong ingredients. Most skincare products can be used together, but not always at the same time.
What Shouldn't You Mix with the Ordinary Niacinamide?
While niacinamide can be used with hyaluronic acid and retinol and similar ingredients, it should not be used with direct acids, vitamin C, and peptides.
If you want to use one of these ingredients in your skincare routine, simply use them on the days you are not using your niacinamide treatment.
How Long Does the Ordinary Niacinamide Take to Work?
Most people notice a difference the first time they use the serum. Their skin looks smoother and less bumpy usually after the first or second application.
That being said, you’ll find the best results happen roughly 8 to 12 weeks after you start using it. After that, you should continue to use the Ordinary Niacinamide for maintenance and to keep your skin looking its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the Ordinary Niacinamide everyday?
A: It is best to use the Ordinary Niacinamide serum on a daily basis, and for the best results, apply it both morning and evening.
Q: Is the Ordinary Niacinamide worth it?
A: The Ordinary Niacinamide treatment is sold all over the world and has millions of satisfied customers. It is available in two sizes: a one-ounce bottle that sells for roughly $6, and a two-ounce bottle that sells for roughly $11. Most customers agree it is very much worth what you pay for it and more.
Q: Does Niacinamide reduce pores?
A: Niacinamide reduces the appearance of pores, blackheads, and acne. It can make your pores look much smaller and help clear up acne and blackheads so that your skin looks smoother and tighter almost immediately.
A: Yes, it is. In fact, this is one of the main benefits of using this product. The Ordinary Niacinamide serum also includes zinc, which aids in the removal of acne-causing bacteria from the skin and the regulation of oil production.
The serum also works well on redness, inflammation of the skin, and more serious conditions such as rosacea.
Q: Can I use the Ordinary Niacinamide with hyaluronic acid?
A: Niacinamide products and hyaluronic acid (HA) can be used at the same time because both are water-based products and therefore do not interfere with the role of each other.
Q: Can I use the Ordinary Niacinamide with vitamin C?
A: While both niacinamide and vitamin C work wonders with the skin, it is not recommended that these two products be used together. This is because niacinamide can actually minimize the effects of vitamin C on your skin.
Q: Can I use niacinamide with retinol?
A: Yes, you can use niacinamide with retinol. In fact, these two ingredients work well together. Why? Because niacinamide hydrates the skin and helps retinol absorb quicker. Niacinamide also reduces the odds that the retinol will irritate the skin, enabling the combination to make the skin much smoother and suppler.
Q: Is niacinamide an exfoliant?
A: No, niacinamide is not an exfoliant. Its main purpose is to get rid of blemishes and spots on the skin and to reduce the amount of oil so that your skin isn’t nearly as oily.
Q: Can I use niacinamide and sunscreen?
A: Not only can you use both niacinamide and sunscreen, but it is recommended that you do so. Occasionally, niacinamide will make your skin more sensitive to the UV rays of the sun, so using it before applying sunscreen takes care of that problem.
The Bottom Line
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum is very effective at getting rid of blemishes and oiliness so that your skin is less oily and a lot smoother. It is an inexpensive treatment that is easy to use and delivers great results.
If you’re unhappy with the texture or oiliness of your skin, the Ordinary Niacinamide treatment could be for you. Simply use it twice a day and you’ll notice a difference almost right away.
I’m a passionate skincare specialist and writer. I have more than 7 years of experience as a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor, and I’m extremely passionate about what I do.
