My forehead was a grease slick by noon. Every single day.
The real problem? My pores looked like tiny craters — makeup just slid right off.
A watery serum from The Ordinary. $6.90. The claim? Control oil and minimize pores. For less than a latte.
Niacinamide 10%
A high dose of the oil-regulating vitamin.
Zinc 1%
Calms inflammation and helps with shine.
No Nonsense
Just the actives, in a basic dropper bottle.
Photo: kevin laminto / Unsplash
It’s a two-ingredient powerhouse. Niacinamide tells your sebum glands to chill. Zinc is the bouncer for redness.
- Niacinamide: Regulates oil production & improves barrier function
- Zinc PCA: Anti-inflammatory, reduces sebum
- Tamarinus Indica Seed Gum: Just a texture thing — ignore it
- Aqua (Water): The base
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
Watery, slightly sticky — absorbs in 15 seconds flat. No scent. Feels like nothing, which is the point.
By week two, my midday blotting paper habit was cut in half. The surprise? It didn’t make me produce *more* oil later — a common rebound with harsh products.
Photo: Bailey Burton / Unsplash
Shine reduced by about 70%. Pores appeared tighter — not invisible, but less obvious. Zero effect on blackheads, though. Don’t expect miracles.
Photo: Harper Sunday / Unsplash
It’s a brilliant, boring workhorse. Not sexy, but it does the job it promises.