Compare Products: Niacinamide Oil Control Serum vs Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%

The Inkey List

Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

Budget10%
$10.5 / 30ml — $0.35/ml

Who It's Designed For

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
The Ordinary
  • Vitamin C beginners who want a low-irritation starting point
  • Sensitive skin types who cannot tolerate L-ascorbic acid
  • Those who want a stable vitamin C that will not oxidize in the bottle
  • Budget-conscious shoppers seeking a no-frills vitamin C serum
  • Users who prefer ultra-minimalist ingredient lists

Key Ingredients

The Inkey List

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

The Ordinary

12% Ascorbyl Glucoside

Product Composition

19% similarity (6 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
water (aqua / eau)propanediolhydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerxanthan gumsodium phytatesodium phosphate
Only in The Inkey List (18)
niacinamideglycerinbutylene glycolphenoxyethanolhydroxyethylcellulosephospholipidssqualaneglycine soja (soybean) oilallantoinpolysorbate 60panthenolglycolipidsleuconostoc/radish root ferment filtratesorbitan isostearateglycine soja (soybean) sterolscitric acidhyaluronic aciddisodium phosphate
Only in The Ordinary (8)
ascorbyl glucosideaminomethyl propanoltriethanolamineisoceteth-20ethoxydiglycol12-hexanediolcaprylyl glycol

User Feedback Patterns

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.

The Ordinary
Beginner-friendly and non-irritating

The most common positive feedback is that this product causes no irritation. Users with sensitive skin, rosacea-prone skin, and vitamin C beginners praise its gentleness.

Slow but steady brightening

Users who use it consistently for 8+ weeks report gradual brightening and more even skin tone. Results are subtle rather than dramatic.

Some find it too mild

Users coming from L-ascorbic acid serums or expecting fast results find the effects underwhelming. Several reviewers switched to more potent vitamin C products.

Great texture for layering

The thin, watery texture layers well under other products. No stickiness, pilling, or interference with subsequent skincare or makeup steps.

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