Versus

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus TONYMOLY Vital Vita 12 Synergy 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 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 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Vital Vita 12 Synergy Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cyclomethicone

Emollient
0 / 0 Silicon Icon

Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)

Emollient

C13-15 Alkane

Solvent

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Polyacrylate

Absorbent

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glyceryl Stearate

Emollient
1 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Polysorbate 60

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dimethiconol

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

PEG-75 Stearate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Citrus Limon Fruit Oil

Astringent
Oil Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Skin Conditioning

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Adenosine

Skin Conditioning
Good for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ceteth-20

Cleansing

PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Steareth-20

Cleansing
2 / 1

Trideceth-6

Emulsifying

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate

Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Disodium EDTA

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Vitex Agnus Castus Extract

Astringent

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Cananga Odorata Flower Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Arctium Lappa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Phellinus Linteus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Antiseborrhoeic
Can worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Octyldodecanol

Emollient

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Fragrance IconOil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Isopentyldiol

Humectant

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Diglycerin

Humectant

Propanediol

Solvent

PEG-35 Castor Oil

Emulsifying
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sorbitan Isostearate

Emulsifying
1-2 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate

Absorbent

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Calcium Pantothenate

Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Maltodextrin

Absorbent

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Lecithin

Emollient

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Copaifera Officinalis Resin

Masking

Cymbopogon Martini Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Pyridoxine Hcl

Skin Conditioning

Sucrose Palmitate

Emollient

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Salvia Sclarea Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Retinyl Palmitate

Skin Conditioning
1-3 / 1-3 Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Inositol

Humectant

Biotin

Antiseborrhoeic

Glyceryl Arachidonate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Linolenate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pyridoxine

Skin Conditioning

Folic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Thiamine Hcl

Masking

Cyanocobalamin

Skin Conditioning

Water, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cyclomethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), C13-15 Alkane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 60, Dimethiconol, Betaine, Centella Asiatica Extract, PEG-75 Stearate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citrus Limon Fruit Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Ceteth-20, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Steareth-20, Trideceth-6, Xanthan Gum, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octyldodecanol, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Isopentyldiol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Diglycerin, Propanediol, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Alcohol, Calcium Pantothenate, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Maltodextrin, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Copaifera Officinalis Resin, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sucrose Palmitate, Polysorbate 20, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Tocopherol, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Silica, Retinyl Palmitate, Linoleic Acid, Inositol, Biotin, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Glyceryl Linolenate, Pyridoxine, Folic Acid, Thiamine Hcl, Cyanocobalamin

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
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
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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 Gum

When to use

15,811 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
3 Routines
33% use in am
67% use in pm
100% use every day

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

TONYMOLY Vital Vita 12 Synergy Serum 87 ingredients

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