Head to head

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Serum · ~€6
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%Serum · ~€6
The bottom line

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% are genuinely close — both solid serums.

Pick by oil-control & blemishes or simply what your routine already leans on.

Which should you pick?

Pick Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if

  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
  • your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
  • you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula

Pick Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
  • Hydration
    58
  • Barrier repair
    97
  • Brightening / tone
    710
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    83
  • Anti-aging
    67

Side by side

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesVitamin B3 10%, Zinc PCAVitamin C (LAA), Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate
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 safeLikelyLikely
PregnancyNo flagged activesNo flagged actives
Ingredients11 listed11 listed
Price~€6~€6

What's in one but not the other

Only in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Both share

No active in common.

The molecule doing the work

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%Vitamin B3
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%Vitamin C (LAA)

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
  • Breakouts & congestionNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
  • Dryness & dehydrationVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

Both sit around the same price (~€6 vs ~€6).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% or The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% are genuinely close — both solid serums. Pick by oil-control & blemishes or simply what your routine already leans on.

Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% or The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%?

Both sit around the same price (~€6 vs ~€6).

Can I use The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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.

More comparisons

Chemical structure of Vitamin B3Chemical structure of Vitamin C (LAA)