My forehead was a solar panel by noon. Every single day.
This serum promised to fix that without the tight, squeaky-clean feeling of every other oil-control product I’d tried.
It’s a $6 serum from The Ordinary. The claim? Reduce shine and visible pores. For that price, I had to call the bluff.
Niacinamide 10%
A high concentration of the oil-regulating vitamin.
Zinc 1%
Calms inflammation and mops up excess sebum.
Zero Frills
No scent, no fluff, just a dropper and a promise.
Photo: Chandra Oh / Unsplash
It’s a two-ingredient heavyweight. Niacinamide is the star — it tells your pores to chill on oil production. Zinc is the bouncer, calming any redness.
- Niacinamide: Regulates sebum & minimizes pores
- Zinc PCA: Reduces shine & calms skin
- Aqua (Water): The base
- Pentylene Glycol: Light hydration
Photo: Brayden Prato / Unsplash
Watery texture — absorbs in under 10 seconds. Leaves a faint, velvety finish, not sticky. Like nothing’s there.
By week two, my midday blotting sheets were half as used. The surprise? My makeup stopped sliding off my nose by 3 PM.
Photo: Anthony / Unsplash
Shine was cut by maybe 70%. Pores looked less like craters. It didn’t magically erase them — nothing does. But it didn’t cause a single dry patch.
It’s not magic, but it’s the most effective, no-nonsense oil regulator I’ve used. For the price, it’s embarrassing for more expensive brands.