Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% Versus Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5%

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% versus Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% .

Published on July 03, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

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Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5%

Serum American Brand United States

General Moisturizer American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

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Buy Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

Starts at $17.00

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Buy Niacinamide Gel Cream 5%

Starts at $19.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% 16 ingredients

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% 27 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% 16 ingredients

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% 27 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting (2)

Brightening (3)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin

Acne Trigger

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% 16 ingredients

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% 27 ingredients

Water • Niacinamide • Propanediol • Glycerin • Zinc PCA • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11 • Sodium Hyaluronate • Dimethicone • Caprylyl Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Xanthan Gum • Potassium Sorbate • Glyceryl Polyacrylate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hexylene Glycol • Citric Acid

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: 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

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Niacinamide

What it does: Smoothing

Community Rating: 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

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 2.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 3.

Propanediol

What it does: Solvent

Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 3.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 4.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 4.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 14.

Sodium Hyaluronate

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

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

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 7.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 11.

Dimethicone

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 8.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 2.

Caprylyl Glycol

What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 9.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 21.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 10.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 18.

Potassium Sorbate

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% contains this as ingredient number 12.

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% contains this as ingredient number 26.

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

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% 16 ingredients

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% 27 ingredients

50% are loved or liked

0% have mixed ratings

44% are disliked or very disliked

6% have no rating yet

33% are loved or liked

22% have mixed ratings

30% are disliked or very disliked

15% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% 16 ingredients

Naturium Niacinamide Gel Cream 5% 27 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% 16 ingredients

5.0 /5

from 1 rating

Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Light (1) No Scent (1)

MichelleR

4 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

I really do love this product. The mix of niacinamide and zinc underneath my sunscreen make me feel super protected during the day. Especially...

I really do love this product. The mix of niacinamide and zinc underneath my sunscreen make me feel super protected during the day. Especially since I cannot tolerate Vitamin C as my antioxidant. And this pairs super well with Paula's Choice BHA Gel Exfoliant on days where I'm having acne breakouts. I <3 it here!