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 the baseline Amazon 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 6 near substitutes (Good Molecules, Naturium, Paula's Choice, La Roche-Posay, Bubble, 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 | Effaclar’s ultra-concentrated serum | Lightweight niacinamide serum | Anua’s niacinamide + TXA serum leans |
| Key actives | Niacinamide · Zinc PCA | Niacinamide · HA | Niacinamide · Zinc | Niacinamide · Acetyl glucosamine | Niacinamide · LHA | Niacinamide · HA | Niacinamide · TXA |
| Texture | Niacinamide serum | Niacinamide serum | 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 | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Notes | Cult classic · Budget | Budget · Minimalist | Higher % · Modern texture | Booster · Mixable | Pharmacy · Oil control | Lightweight · Fun branding | K-beauty · Glow finish |
| $ / size | $6.00 | $5.97 | $13.99 | $53.00 | $33.74 | $28.00 | $18.60 |
| Shop | Buy on AmazonThis page | Buy on AmazonProduct page | Buy on AmazonProduct 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 the baseline Amazon 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, La Roche-Posay, Bubble, 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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Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
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Paula's Choice
BOOST 10% Niacinamide Face Serum Booster
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La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Pore Minimizer 1oz
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Bubble
Hydrated Skin (2 Count)
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Anua
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
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