Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Both serums contain Niacinamide, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.
A lightweight 10% niacinamide booster with allantoin, licorice root and antioxidants. Designed to layer under your regular serum — a fractional dose for users who don't want a full niacinamide routine but want the pigmentation and oil-control benefits.
High-dose niacinamide serum targeting sebum regulation, visible pore appearance and post-acne marks. Water-based, fragrance-free, and compatible with almost every other active on the shelf — the default oil-control serum for combination and oily skin.
Which should you choose?
Both contain Niacinamide. Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster adds Licorice Root Extract. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster is the better fit for redness; The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for acne and rough texture. On price, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the less expensive option (Budget versus Premium). Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster is flagged morning or evening; The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is flagged evening only.
What they share
This hero active appears in both formulas:
Ingredient stacks, side by side
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster — top of the list
- Water~50–80%
- Acetyl Glucosa…~3–10%
- Phospholipids~2–6%
- Sodium Hyaluro…~1.5–4%
- Glycerin~1–2%
- Butylene Glycol~1–2%
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — top of the list
- Aqua (Water)~50–80%
- Pentylene Glycol~3–10%
- Zinc PCA1%
- Dimethyl Isoso…~1.5–4%
● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.
The specs
| Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Serum | Serum |
| Price tier | Premium | Budget |
| Best for | Dark Spots, Oiliness, Redness | Oiliness, Acne, Dark Spots |
| Usage notes | Morning or evening | Evening only |
| Shared hero actives | Niacinamide | |
Common questions
Is the Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% better?
What's the difference between the Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
Are the Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% dupes for each other?
Can I use the Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% together?
Related comparisons
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