MEDI-PEEL Phyto Cica-Nol B5 3,000 Shot Serum Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.
Ingredient Info
MEDI-PEEL Phyto Cica-Nol B5 3,000 Shot Serum 59 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
MEDI-PEEL Phyto Cica-Nol B5 3,000 Shot Serum 59 ingredients
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Sponge
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xylitylglucoside
Humectant
Anhydroxylitol
Humectant
Xylitol
Humectant
Colloidal Sulfur
Antimicrobial
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFicus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Malus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Prunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Punica Granatum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingHesperidin
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicFolic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine
Skin ConditioningCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningRiboflavin
Cosmetic ColorantThiamine Hcl
MaskingParfum
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Colloidal Sulfur, Pentylene Glycol, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Nut Extract, Morus Alba Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Hesperidin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, Cyanocobalamin, Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Thiamine Hcl, Parfum
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 WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideXanthan 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 GumPentylene 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 GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
MEDI-PEEL Phyto Cica-Nol B5 3,000 Shot Serum 59 ingredients
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
MEDI-PEEL Phyto Cica-Nol B5 3,000 Shot Serum 59 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)
