Freshly Cosmetics Vitamin C Concentrate Serum Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Updated on March 11, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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.
Ingredient Info
Freshly Cosmetics Vitamin C Concentrate Serum 56 ingredients
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Freshly Cosmetics Vitamin C Concentrate Serum 56 ingredients
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Juice
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Grandis Peel Extract
Astringent
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Bud Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Mannitol
Humectant
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalene
Emollient
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Arginine
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Sucrose Distearate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oryza Sativa Starch, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Astaxanthin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Juice, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Bud Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita Leaf Extract, Phosphatidylcholine, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Mannitol, Sucrose Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalene, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Levulinate, Xanthan Gum, Levulinic Acid, Arginine, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Gluconolactone, Citric Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Gluconate, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPentylene 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.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolXanthan 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.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Freshly Cosmetics Vitamin C Concentrate Serum 56 ingredients
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Freshly Cosmetics Vitamin C Concentrate Serum 56 ingredients
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
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 Show more
I've repurchased this so many times and tried different niacinamide serums but this one is my fav. It improves my hormonal acne so much and controls sebum production. Also, when I had the worst fungal acne flare-up ever, this and the lactic acid 5% SAVED ME. It burned a lot but now I don't have any bumps whatsoever. It won't work immediately so consistency is key. (I have combo-oily skin)
