The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Puca – Pure & Care Niacinamide+Panthenol Serum
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 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, 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 Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 11 ingredients
Puca – Pure & Care Niacinamide+Panthenol Serum 39 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
Puca – Pure & Care Niacinamide+Panthenol Serum 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventNiacinamide 5%
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantOligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Collagen
Moisturising
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Aspalathus Linearis Extract
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningPicrorhiza Kurrooa Rhizome/Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide 5%, Butylene Glycol, Corn Gluten Amino Acids, Panthenol, Saccharide Isomerate, Oligopeptide-1, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-5, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Picrorhiza Kurrooa Rhizome/Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Salvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Beta-Glucan, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 WaterNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideXanthan 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
Puca – Pure & Care Niacinamide+Panthenol Serum 39 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
Puca – Pure & Care Niacinamide+Panthenol Serum 39 ingredients
Underrated!! I struggle with closed comedones, and have had a hard time getting rid of them, but this really helped!! It also has a bunch of soothing ingredients. I recommend using it every other night, as the niacinamide concentration is 5%
I broke out in itchy, burning hives suddenly across my face, neck & chest. Not sure why yet; maybe something I ate! Layered this serum on under La Roche Posay Cicaplast and found some nice relief.
