The New Edition To my Skin Care Products
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has been marketed as a dream come true for those of us who have oily skin and are looking for a cure. Not to mention it’s fading potential of dark marks from acne scars and melasma.
There have been many products that claim to help with embarrassing shine and blemishes, but is this brand of Niacinamide one? What does this clear serum contain that can put sebaceous glands on a slow halt resulting in fewer breakouts?
What Ingredients Make Up This Formula?
We will discuss the two ingredients promoted in the serum Niacinamide 10% and Zinc PCA 1%. Other ingredients in the product include Aqua (Water), Pentylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, and Chlorphenesin.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide/nicotinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 derived from Niacin. Niacinamide differs from Niacin because it does not cause flushing (heat and redness).
Niacinamide is able to penetrate the top layer of the skin locking in moisture and reducing water evaporation from skin cells.
The percentages reflect the concentration of the product. Studies conducted using a 5% concentration of Niacinamide resulted in lightening of the skin and reduction of hyperpigmentation in Japanese and Caucasian women.
The compound works by inhibiting the transport of dark pigment to skin cells. More about this study can be found at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921764/.
Niacinamide is known to regulate oil glands, leading to pores that aren’t overly clogged. The size of the pore is reduced and fewer bacteria and inflammation occurs.
A study conducted using Japanese and Caucasian individuals concluded with low sebum excretion rates in Japanese subjects and low casual sebum levels in Caucasians. More info regarding this study can be found at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16766489/.
The Benefit of Zinc In The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum
The Ordinary Niacinamide formula contains Zinc pyrrolidone carboxylic acid also known as Zinc PCA. This is a water-soluble Zinc Salt. Research suggests that Zinc PCA is promising in the efforts to reduce premature aging of the skin caused by UVA radiation and increase collagen production.
Zinc PCA increases the production of type 1 collagen which enhances the elasticity of the skin improving hydration and reducing wrinkles. For more information regarding these studies, refer to the links below.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21834944/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120804/
Why Love The Ordinary Brand?
I would like to point out how economical The Ordinary Niacinamide production team was in creating this product with a shortlist of ingredients. When it comes to skincare, sometimes fewer ingredients are better.
This makes it easy to comprehend the complex terms in the formula and how they work together to reach the desired result. Adversely it could narrow down the potential cause of irritation.
The packaging has a simple and clean look which reflects the goal of the product. They seem to have put more time into the formulation and less time on the packaging to the customer’s benefit.
The product is currently selling in the $5 range on sites such as Ulta Beauty.The dropper and squeeze top makes it easy to get just the right amount. A little goes a long way.
The serum is not as thick compared to other serums, it is clear like bottled water which I consider a benefit. Once you drop a pinch of the serum on your face, it does not quickly run down the face.
You can easily rub it into your skin without worrying about the product dripping. Although the product is known to not cause much irritation, a patch test is still advised before applying the product to the entire face.
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