Versus

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum

Serum
Serum
Canadian Brand Canada
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on March 04, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, 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, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

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Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Smoothing

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

When to use

15,808 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
53 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
81% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 235 ratings
Great Value (53) Irritating (48) Broke Me Out (47)
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

Mary & May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum 8 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Absorbs Well (3) Great Value (3) Light Scent (3)
Lottie's avatar

Lottie

1 year ago
Review

really calmed my skin and inflammations!

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent
acelexa's avatar

acelexa

1 year ago
Review

Not sure how effective Chaenomeles Sinensis is or this formula is. Seems to have a light scent

#light scent