The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Medik8
Niacinamide PeptidesA serum built around Niacinamide and Zinc salt, for hydration and fighting acne.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Zinc salt, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 5.40 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
GBP 49.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Oil-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Benefits
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Zinc PCA
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Niacinamide, Tocopherol
Concerns
May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis13
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-10, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Stearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Side-by-side
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Zinc PCA (in both products)
Humectant
- Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Reduces Irritation
Emulsion Stabilising
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Zinc PCA (in both products)
Humectant
- Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)
- Acne Fighting
- Oil Control
- Reduces Irritation
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aqua
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →Zinc PCA
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Zinc PCA is a zinc salt.
Learn more about Zinc PCA →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
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