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Minimalist Niacinamide 5% + Hyaluronic Acid 1% Face Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Minimalist Niacinamide 5% + Hyaluronic Acid 1% Face Serum and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% are both serums — both are dosed with Niacinamide. They earn the same efficacy grade (B, 81/100). The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% costs $5.99 less (50% cheaper). So it comes down to higher efficacy (Minimalist Niacinamide 5% + Hyaluronic Acid 1% Face Serum) versus better value (The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%).

Side by side

Grade, key actives, and price — the actives they share (Niacinamide) are what do the work.

How we grade

Both products are graded A–F on the same standard: the active, its published effective concentration, and the study behind it — never marketing. A cheaper product can out-grade a pricier one. See the full methodology. Buy links are affiliate links; we may earn a small commission at no cost to you, and it never changes a grade.

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Based on published concentration thresholds and formulation science. Our algorithm predicts likely efficacy — it does not test the product. Individual results vary. Not evaluated by the FDA. Comparisons are based on graded efficacy, shared actives, and published dosing — not side-by-side clinical testing; textures and tolerability still differ.