The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Foxtale 0.15% Beginner-friendly Retinol Night Serum

The Ordinary

Foxtale

A serum built around Niacinamide and Zinc salt, for hydration and fighting acne.

A serum built around Retinoid and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Serum

11 ingredients

33 ingredients

Brand price

USD 5.40 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

INR 599.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from Canada

Brand from India

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc PCA
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

Chemical sunscreen1
Organic UV filters that absorb UV and release it as heat.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Sunscreen1
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20

Hydrating2
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ethoxydiglycol, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair1
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Niacinamide
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Zinc PCA
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Isoceteth-20

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitoyl Glycine, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Olivate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Garcinia Indica Seed Butter

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Zinc PCA
Humectant
- Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Reduces Irritation
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Viscosity Controlling
0 / —
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion Stabilising
Xanthan Gum
Cleansing
0-1 / —
Isoceteth-20
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ethoxydiglycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Phenoxyethanol (in both products)
Preservative
0 / —

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Cetearyl Olivate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Aqua
Solvent
Water
Learn more about Aqua →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →