The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens 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 Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème 46 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème 46 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Elaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantCitrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ceteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingDicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSqualane
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingLecithin
EmollientSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Methyl Undecylenoyl Dipeptide-16
Skin Conditioning
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingMelissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLepidium Sativum Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 60, Alcohol Denat., Phenethyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Methyl Undecylenoyl Dipeptide-16, Disodium Phosphate, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Citral, Tocopherol, Ergothioneine
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 WaterXanthan 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 GumPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème 46 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
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
(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
IMAGE skincare Ilium Intense Brightening Crème 46 ingredients
While this crème is absolutely amazing as it makes my face feels very soft after using it and helped even out some dark spots I had, it also contains palm oil (Elaeis Guineensis Oil). This company claims to use "responsibly sourced ingredients", so this is incredibly deceptive.
Besides that it's also ridiculously expensive, so I won't be using it again once I finished my current jar.
