The Ordinary

 Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum for Oily Skin

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I heard amazing things about this product and did some digging into all the great benefits niacinamide and zinc have for the skin, and it seemed like it would help target my main skin concerns! I was aware of the possibility that I may experience purging and that some people can have allergic reac...tions but it's incredibly rare to the point where many dermatologists will assume its not an allergy to niacinamide, rather another ingredient present in the product that the person reacted to. I knew niacinamide was meant to help with the skin barrier as well as brightening and texture improvement, all things I struggle with. I did a bit more digging and noticed that the tested amounts shown to be effective and safe for the skin range between 2-5%. To be clear, I'm not saying 10% is bad or dangerous, it's just not as tried and true as that 2-5% range that's been studied many times. Like all new products, I did a 48 hour patch test on my arm as directed by The Ordinary's guidelines, and had no issues. Before starting my routine I used their (very helpful!) resource for when and how often to use specific products and to only introduce one new product at a time to prevent irritation/negative effects. What I'm a little upset about, is the lack of easily accessible information about how this product can cause irritation (among other negative effects) for people with non-oily skin. After about a week of use (3 drops for face and neck), my cheeks became hard like rough leather... I also felt a burning sensation after each use, but really wanted to give it a chance and went back to the basics (cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen) and I still had issues and my skin continued to harden and dry up. I was frustrated and confused because I couldn't find answers as to why I was having such a strange reaction anytime I used this product. Eventually, after much digging, I discovered that this should not be used by those with dry skin, especially at such a high concentration of 10%. I still stand by niacinamide and zinc as skincare ingredients, they are excellent for your skins health and have really helped many people in their skincare journey. This can be a great option for those struggling with acne prone skin and textural irregularities (if you have an oilier skin type). I'm here because I don't want other people with similar skin types to mine to buy this and feel lost or confused if they have a bad reaction. It's not that your skin is being ridiculous or difficult, it just may be that the concentration is too high, or that niacinamide may not be something you use as an active/solo-ingredient in your daily/weekly skincare routine. I challenge The Ordinary to include a section under this product outlining that if you have dry skin, that this product may cause issues, or better yet, offer a niacinamide product formulated for people with dry and/or sensitive skin to increase inclusivity. All in all, I hope whoever chooses to read this lengthy review, that you feel more informed and empowered to make a confident decision for yourself. By no means do I dislike The Ordinary, I LOVE all the other products I have from them! I just wish I had been advised about the potential issues if you don't have more of an oily/combo skin type.