Versus

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Tia’m Vita B3 Source

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Facial Treatment

Canadian Brand Canada

Tia’m Vita B3 Source

Serum

South Korean Brand

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients

Tia’m Vita B3 Source 15 ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients

Tia’m Vita B3 Source 15 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Loved Full details ->

Niacinamide Smoothing

Niacinamide • 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Loved Full details ->

Pentylene Glycol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

Mixed Full details ->

Zinc PCA Humectant, Skin Conditioning

2 Benefits

Zinc PCA (or "zinc salt") differs slightly from zinc itself. PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. However, Zinc PCA comes from zinc.

Loved Full details ->

Dimethyl Isosorbide Solvent

Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.

Mixed Full details ->

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum Emulsion Stabilising

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum is from the seeds of Tamarindus indica. It is more commonly known as tamarind.

Liked Full details ->

Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

Disliked Full details ->

Isoceteth-20 Emulsifying

May cause irritation

Isoceteth-20 comes from Isocetyl Alcohol. It is an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Ethoxydiglycol Humectant, Solvent

0 / 0

Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Phenoxyethanol Preservative

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Chlorphenesin Antimicrobial, Preservative

Preservative

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Disliked Full details ->

Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Vita B3 Source

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Loved Full details ->

Niacinamide Smoothing

Niacinamide • 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Loved Full details ->

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Arbutin Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning

Antioxidant • 2 Benefits

Arbutin is derived from the bearberry plant. It helps even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.

Loved Full details ->

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

0 / 0

3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Humectant, Skin Conditioning

3 Benefits

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Liked Full details ->

Lindera Erythrocarpa Extract

We don't have a description for Lindera Erythrocarpa Extract.

Unknown Full details ->

Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract.

Unknown Full details ->

Geranium Thunbergii Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Geranium Thunbergii Extract.

Unknown Full details ->

Hydroxyethylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Mixed Full details ->

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Methylpropanediol Solvent

Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.

Mixed Full details ->

Laurylpyridinium Chloride Antimicrobial

We don't have a description for Laurylpyridinium Chloride.

Unknown Full details ->

Chlorphenesin Antimicrobial, Preservative

Preservative

Disliked Full details ->

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Mixed Full details ->

Water, Niacinamide 10%, Butylene Glycol, Arbutin 2%, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lindera Erythrocarpa Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Geranium Thunbergii Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Methylpropanediol, Laurylpyridinium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Niacinamide

Smoothing

Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial, Preservative

Disliked

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

Vita B3 Source

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

When to use

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients

Tia’m Vita B3 Source 15 ingredients

10,410 Routines

49% use in am

51% use in pm

95% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

197 Routines

45% use in am

55% use in pm

89% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients

3.4 /5

from 128 ratings

Great Value (14) Irritating (12) Broke Me Out (11) Doesn't Work (10) No Scent (10) Sticky (10)

Clover

7 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

Gotta give credit where credit is due
WOW… lot of people ganging up on this incredibly affordable/popular serum. I understand the criticisms, but...

Gotta give credit where credit is due
WOW… lot of people ganging up on this incredibly affordable/popular serum. I understand the criticisms, but personally I don’t believe the intensity is warranted. For so many people this was the start of their skincare journey; it certainly was mine! And because I had never used ingredients like niacinamide or zinc on my face before, of course I noticed an incredible improvement in regards to my acne and skin tone evenness. This is a good serum to start with. No, you don’t need 10% strength (2%-5% works well) and for some that 10% can be irritating. However most people can handle 10% just fine so it’s not something many need worry about. The formulation isn’t elegant and sometimes it gets frothy or pills when you try to rub this in— BUT this is $6! You can’t really beat The Ordinary’s prices, and for some people $6 is all they can afford to spend on skincare so this is a good affordable option.
If you already have effective products with niacinamide in your routine, you do not need to add this in because it won’t really do anything for you. But if you’re just washing your face with something like dish soap then of course this will make an incredible difference. You’ll probably move on from it eventually, but it’s an effective place to start. Wishing everyone the best on their skincare journey. <3

The Ordinary

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

AshN.

2 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

(Tried Jan 2021) This was actually the product that made me realize that my skin does not mix with Niacinamide (especially at high concentrations...

(Tried Jan 2021) This was actually the product that made me realize that my skin does not mix with Niacinamide (especially at high concentrations because I can usually tolerate it at %4/less or when it isn't a primary ingredient). I tested it on my wrist and a small patch on my cheek to check, and I had hives in both areas. I wouldn't want to give this a poor rating solely on the account of my allergic reaction as I'm sure it works for many others.

The Ordinary

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%