My pores looked like craters. I needed a miracle — or at least a decent serum.
The internet swore this one was it. So I used it for a month. No filters.
It’s the The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. Under $7. The claim? Visibly reduces enlarged pores. A big promise for a tiny price.
Texture
Water-based, slightly sticky serum.
Scent
None. It smells like… nothing.
Packaging
That clinical dropper bottle — you either love it or hate the mess.
Photo: Viktoriia Muzyka / Unsplash
It’s a simple, potent formula. The 10% niacinamide is a high dose — it regulates oil and calms inflammation. The 1% zinc pulls double duty on shine control.
- Niacinamide 10%: Regulates sebum, tackles redness
- Zinc PCA 1%: Mattifies, aids healing
- Tamarinus Indica Seed Gum: The slip agent — not magic
- Pentylene Glycol: Hydration + helps the actives sink in
Photo: freestocks / Unsplash
Applies like slippery water. Dries down tacky in 30 seconds — you feel it tighten. Not a luxurious vibe.
By week two, my T-zone was noticeably less greasy by noon. The surprise? It calmed a stubborn red patch near my nose faster than a dedicated calming serum.
Photo: Camille Brodard / Unsplash
Pores didn’t “shrink.” They appeared cleaner and less stretched out because it seriously cut oil. No miracle. Just better maintenance.
It’s not a pore-minimizing myth — it’s an oil-control legend. Manages the cause, not the anatomy.