Head to head
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want the actives; The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want the more affordable option
Pick Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want more actives working at once
What each delivers
Side by side
| Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Vitamin B3 10%, Zinc PCA | Retinol 0.5%, Squalane, Jojoba Oil |
| Texture | A 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. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | One caution |
| Ingredients | 11 listed | 6 listed |
| Price | ~€6 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Fine lines & firmnessRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Breakouts & congestionNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Sensitive, reactive skinNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€8).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want the actives; The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€8).
Can I use The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 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.