Versus

Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence - Japan Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Essence
Serum
Japanese Brand Japan
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on March 04, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 2 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, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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.

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 Water
Humectant, Solvent

Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.

Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.

Ethoxydiglycol also helps deliver other key ingredients into the skin.

Learn more about Ethoxydiglycol

When to use

428 Routines
71% use in am
29% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
16,057 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence 12 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 6 ratings
Works Well (4) Great Value (2) Absorbs Well (2)
tsukidoki's avatar

tsuki

9 months ago
Review

I'm giving this 5 stars for the phenomenal packaging. I lost the cap once and I was worried it'll oxidise quickly but after a whole week without the cap, the serum was still clear and not oxidised at all!!!

#strong scent
#works well
vch718's avatar

vch718

1 year ago
Review

Price: 5/5
Great for the product quality & packaging.
Packaging: 5/5
Very good for vitamin c that oxidize easily. Easy to dispense the product.
Texture: 5/5
Slightly watery. Easy to spread and absorb into skin. Easy to layer with other skincare.
Smell: 5/5
pleasant citrus smell
Result: 5/5
After 1 month use, my dark acne scars are noticeably lighter, some completely gone. Not irritating Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 243 ratings
Great Value (57) Irritating (48) Broke Me Out (48)
Clover's avatar

Clover

1 year ago
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 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

AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

1 year ago
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 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 Show more

#great value
#broke me out
#irritating
#no scent