Compare Products: Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% vs Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

Naturium

Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

Budget12%
$17 / 30ml — $0.57/ml
The Inkey List

Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

Budget10%
$10.5 / 30ml — $0.35/ml

Who It's Designed For

Naturium
  • Oily and combination skin seeking sebum control
  • Uneven skin tone and dark spots
  • Fine lines and early signs of aging
  • Enlarged pores and textured skin
  • Those who want higher niacinamide concentration than standard 10%
The Inkey List
  • Oily and combination skin seeking oil control
  • Acne-prone skin wanting to reduce blemishes
  • Enlarged pores and uneven texture
  • Those sensitive to zinc who want a niacinamide serum
  • Niacinamide beginners looking for a gentle entry point

Key Ingredients

Naturium

Niacinamide (12%), Zinc PCA (2%)

The Inkey List

Niacinamide (10%), Hyaluronic Acid (1%)

Product Composition

28% similarity (8 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
waterniacinamidepropanediolglycerinsodium hyaluronatephenoxyethanolxanthan gumcitric acid
Only in Naturium (8)
zinc pcapolyacrylate crosspolymer-11dimethiconecaprylyl glycolpotassium sorbateglyceryl polyacrylatetocopheryl acetatehexylene glycol
Only in The Inkey List (13)
butylene glycolhydroxyethylcellulosephospholipidssqualaneglycine soja (soybean) oilallantoinpolysorbate 60panthenolglycolipidsleuconostoc/radish root ferment filtratesorbitan isostearateglycine soja (soybean) sterolshyaluronic acid

User Feedback Patterns

Naturium
Higher quality than The Ordinary

Users who have tried both brands frequently note Naturium feels 'better quality' with faster absorption and less pilling, though acknowledging The Ordinary costs less.

Effective but requires patience

Most users report visible improvement in skin texture and oil control within 2-4 weeks, with more significant changes at the 6-8 week mark.

Minimal scent issue

Some users note a subtle odd scent, though it dissipates quickly after application. Generally not a dealbreaker.

Layers well

Consistent praise for how this serum absorbs and layers under other products without pilling or feeling heavy.

The Inkey List
No pilling

Multiple users note this formula does not ball up under other products or makeup, unlike some competing niacinamide serums.

More hydrating than expected

Users with dry or combination skin report this feels more hydrating than pure niacinamide serums with zinc, likely due to the squalane, HA, and lack of zinc.

Packaging frustrations

The squeeze bottle with press-down cap makes it difficult to control how much product dispenses. Some users report buildup around the opening.

Visible pore improvement

Consistent feedback about reduced pore appearance within 2-4 weeks of daily use.

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