Head to head

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum.

The bottom line

Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum does more across the board (it leads on hydration, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

AnuaNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumSerum · ~€20See every ingredient in Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum, decoded
The OrdinaryNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Serum · ~€6See every ingredient in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum if

  • plump, lasting hydration is what you want
  • dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
  • you want more actives working at once

Pick Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if

  • you want the more affordable option
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
  • you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
  • Hydration
    106
  • Barrier repair
    109
  • Brightening / tone
    97
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    88
  • Anti-aging
    66

Side by side

Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Niacinamide 10%, Ceramide 3Niacinamide 10%, Zinc PCA, Pentylene Glycol
TextureA light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film.A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film.
FragranceNone detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyLikely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients51 listed11 listed
Price~€20~€6

What's in one but not the other

Both share

Only in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

The molecule doing the work

Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% SerumGlycerin
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Niacinamide

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
  • Breakouts & congestionEither works
  • Dryness & dehydrationNiacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€20).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum does more across the board (it leads on hydration, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

Which is cheaper, Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€20).

Can I use Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% together?

They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.

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