The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 Versus The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin, 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.
Ingredient Info
The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 26 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
The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 26 ingredients
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
BufferingArginine
Masking
PCA
Humectant
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Threonine
Valine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Histidine
Humectant
Phenylalanine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Propanediol, Betaine, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, Arginine, PCA, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Proline, Isoleucine, Lysine Hcl, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
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 WaterDimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.
Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 26 ingredients
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 26 ingredients
Not good for me
I have dry skin and I thought this product would be great for me. It burned a little bit and broke me out like crazy after a few days of using. I gave it to my mom and it worked for her. Do not buy this if you have sensitive skin.
a thin, oil-like serum- do not buy if you hate any sort of greasy-like feeling. Worked amazing with my combination skin, especially through winter on any dry patches. Did not break me out and helped my skin to appear brighter and more even. While it is an oil based serum, it absorbs nicely and layers well with other serums considering they aren’t overdone. Product i have repurchased more than Show more
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)
