Key ingredients
4.4/5
Niacinamide with zinc PCA, a watery smoothing serum for blemish-prone skin. The simple pore-and-oil bottle, not Multi-Peptide and not a moisturizer.
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Smoothing Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin
$6.00
The Ordinary's niacinamide + zinc is a go-to staple: watery, fast, and unfussy under moisturizer. It’s the bottle we compare every other niacinamide serum against for value.
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The Edyt Score
4.5 / 5.0
Targets
4.5/5
For oilier or bumpy skin that wants a cheap, unscented niacinamide. Skip the HA serum if this is the blemish layer.
Formula standards
4.5/5
A thin, fast serum. It can pill, and some faces flush with niacinamide.
The verdict
A strong value niacinamide. One bottle is enough.
Compare against similar products
Side-by-side vs 4 near substitutes (Good Molecules, Naturium, Paula's Choice, and Anua) — best for, key actives, texture, skin fit, Edyt score, and notes. Swipe sideways to compare.
| Pick | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Niacinamide zinc smoothing serum | Budget niacinamide serum | Naturium’s 12% serum is for people who | Paula’s Choice booster lets you dilute | Anua’s niacinamide + TXA serum leans |
| Key actives | Niacinamide · Zinc PCA | Niacinamide · HA | Niacinamide · Zinc | Niacinamide · Acetyl glucosamine | Niacinamide · TXA |
| Texture | Niacinamide serum | Niacinamide serum | Niacinamide serum | Niacinamide serum | Niacinamide serum |
| Skin fit | — | — | — | — | — |
| Edyt score Methodology: The Edyt Score reflects ingredient profiles, concentration, and formulation standards. It is separate from crowd-sourced user reviews. | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Notes | Cult classic · Budget | Budget · Minimalist | Higher % · Modern texture | Booster · Mixable | K-beauty · Glow finish |
| $ / size | $6.00 | $5.97 | $13.99 | $53.00 | $18.60 |
| Shop | Buy on AmazonThis page | Buy on AmazonProduct page | Buy on AmazonProduct page | Buy on AmazonProduct page | Buy on AmazonProduct page |
FAQ
Who is Smoothing Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin best for?
The Ordinary's niacinamide + zinc is a go-to staple: watery, fast, and unfussy under moisturizer. It’s the bottle we compare every other niacinamide serum against for value.
How did Edyt Beauty score this niacinamide serum?
Edyt rates Smoothing Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin 4.5 out of 5 based on formula fit for at-home nail looks — who it is built for and how it performs in paint or press kits — not star averages or paid placement.
How does it compare to similar products?
The compare table above stacks Smoothing Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin against near substitutes for the same shopping job, including picks from Good Molecules, Naturium, Paula's Choice, and Anua. For more from the same brand, see More from The Ordinary below.
Where can I buy it?
Shop Smoothing Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin with the Buy button when it is available. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability can change. You can also find it in our guide to Best Niacinamide Serums.
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Good Molecules
Pore & Texture Serum
$5.97
Naturium
Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
$13.99
Paula's Choice
BOOST 10% Niacinamide Booster
$53.00
Anua
Niacinamide 10 TXA 4 Serum
$18.60