The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% After 45: Does It Help Breakouts, Pores and Tone?
Quick summary
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a light serum, about $9.50 for 30ml in Australia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has good research for oil control, the skin barrier and uneven tone, so this serum may help oily skin, visible pores and some adult breakouts after 45.
Most studies used 2% to 5% niacinamide, not 10%, and some people find 10% stings or triggers breakouts. If your skin is dry or reactive after menopause, a lower strength may suit you better.
At Genova Skincare we make a blemish serum, so our product is in this comparison and we have tried to keep it fair. Results vary from person to person.
50ml, made in Australia. An all-over serum with salicylic acid, designed for the look of adult breakouts. Free standard delivery over $50 and a 30 day money back trial.
Does The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% work for women over 45?
At Genova Skincare, this is one of the serums women most often ask us about, and Australians search for it more than 5,000 times a month. It is inexpensive, fragrance-free and easy to find at Priceline, Sephora and The Ordinary's own site.
For many women over 45 it does a useful job. It may reduce shine, make pores look smaller and help skin look more even. The question is whether 10% suits skin that has become drier and more reactive with menopause.
User opinions are split. Reviews on Australian retail sites are mostly positive, while some users on skincare forums report stinging, redness or breakouts when they started. That usually points to the strength, not to niacinamide itself.
What is in The Ordinary Niacinamide, and what it means for mature skin
The formula is short: water, niacinamide, pentylene glycol, zinc PCA, thickeners and preservatives. It is fragrance-free and alcohol-free, with a pH of 5 to 6.5, according to the brand. The Ordinary advises against using it in the same routine as vitamin C products.
Niacinamide is one of the better-researched cosmetic ingredients:
- Oil: a study by Draelos and colleagues in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy found 2% niacinamide lowered facial oil over several weeks.
- Barrier: research by Tanno and colleagues in the British Journal of Dermatology found niacinamide increased ceramides, the fats that keep moisture in.
- Tone and lines: a 12-week study by Bissett and colleagues in Dermatologic Surgery found 5% niacinamide improved fine lines, blotchiness and dark spots.
- Breakouts: an older trial by Shalita and colleagues in the International Journal of Dermatology found a 4% niacinamide gel helped inflamed acne.
Zinc PCA is added for oil control. There is little independent research on topical zinc PCA by itself, so treat it as a supporting ingredient. For a deeper look at the ingredient, see our guide to niacinamide for menopausal skin.
Is The Ordinary Niacinamide good for breakouts after 45?
It can help, but it is rarely enough on its own for hormonal breakouts along the jaw and chin. Those spots are driven by changing hormones, oil and clogged pores. Niacinamide calms and controls oil, but it does not unclog pores the way salicylic acid does.
That is where a salicylic acid product fits. Genova Blemish Treatment contains salicylic acid, which loosens the dead cells that block pores. It also contains alcohol and fragrance, and we do not publish a salicylic acid percentage, so patch test first. It is not a medicine and does not treat acne.
New breakouts after 45 can have a medical cause. Our guide on when to see a doctor about acne after 45 explains the signs.
The Ordinary Niacinamide vs Genova Blemish Treatment vs other options after 45
Prices were checked on 26 September 2026 and change often.
| Option | Key ingredient | Australian price | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Niacinamide, zinc PCA | About $9.50 for 30ml | Oil, pores, tone | 10% can sting dry skin |
| The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion | Niacinamide at a lower strength | About $22 | Drier or sensitive skin | Less oil control |
| Genova Blemish Treatment | Salicylic acid | $49.95 for 50ml | Adult breakouts, clogged pores | Contains alcohol and fragrance |
| Genova Blemish Spot Gel | Salicylic acid, no benzoyl peroxide | $49.95 | Single spots | Spot use only |
| Adapalene 0.1% gel | Retinoid | Pharmacist Only, ask at the counter | Persistent breakouts | Dryness, needs advice |
The Ordinary is much cheaper per millilitre. The two products also do different jobs, and they can work together: niacinamide in the morning for oil and calm, salicylic acid at night for pores. If breakouts are stubborn, our guide to spot treatments for hormonal acne after 45 compares more choices.
Pros and cons of The Ordinary Niacinamide after 45
Pros:
- Very affordable and widely available
- Well-researched ingredient for oil, barrier and tone
- Fragrance-free and alcohol-free
- Light texture that suits oily and combination skin
Cons:
- 10% is higher than most studies used
- Some users report stinging, redness or pilling under makeup
- Does not unclog pores like salicylic acid
- Can feel drying on menopausal skin
Limitations: what neither product can do
Neither serum balances hormones or stops hormonal acne at its source. Genova Blemish Treatment is a cosmetic designed to help skin look clearer. It is not a substitute for anything a GP or pharmacist recommends.
Painful cysts, sudden severe acne, or acne with extra hair growth after 45 should be checked by your GP.
How to use niacinamide and a blemish serum after 45: step by step
- Patch test each product. Try a small area for a few days.
- Start niacinamide once a day. Use a few drops in the morning, then add evenings if your skin is happy.
- Use salicylic acid at night. Apply Genova Blemish Treatment after cleansing, starting every second night.
- Keep vitamin C separate. The Ordinary advises not layering them in the same routine.
- Moisturise. A plain, non-greasy moisturiser protects drier menopausal skin.
- Wear SPF 50+ every morning. It helps stop marks from darkening.
- Give it 6–12 weeks. Our perimenopause acne routine shows how it all fits together.
Who The Ordinary Niacinamide suits after 45, and who it does not
It may suit you if your skin is oily or combination, you notice shine or visible pores, or you get occasional breakouts.
It may not suit you if your skin is dry, thin or reactive, you have rosacea, or it stings after a week of use. Try the 5% version instead. Genova Blemish Treatment is not for broken skin, and not for anyone sensitive to salicylic acid.
Realistic expectations
Less shine may show within a few weeks. Clearer-looking skin and more even tone usually take 6–12 weeks of daily use.
Breakouts often come and go with your cycle or hormones, so judge progress over months, not days. Results vary from person to person.
The Ordinary Niacinamide questions Australian women over 45 ask
What is The Ordinary Niacinamide good for?
It may reduce shine, make pores look smaller and help skin look more even. It suits oily and combination skin best.
Can I use The Ordinary Niacinamide every day?
Yes, the brand suggests morning and evening. If your skin is dry or sensitive, start once a day.
Does The Ordinary Niacinamide actually work?
Niacinamide has solid research, mostly at 2% to 5%. The 10% serum has not been independently trialled, but many users find it helpful.
Why does niacinamide sting or cause breakouts?
Higher strengths can irritate some skin, and the serum can pill under heavier products. Try the 5% version, or use it every second day.
What cannot mix with niacinamide?
The Ordinary advises against layering it with vitamin C in the same routine. It is generally fine alongside salicylic acid used at another time of day.
The Ordinary after 45: our honest series
The Ordinary's niacinamide is a good, low-cost serum, and if it suits your skin there is no reason to stop. If breakouts are still getting through, a salicylic acid step at night may be worth trying. Be patient with your skin; it is dealing with a lot right now.
For breakouts and uneven tone after 45
Made in Australia, with a 30 day money back trial.
Made in Australia. Results vary from person to person.
Individual results vary. Genova Blemish Treatment and Skin Brightening Serum are cosmetics designed to help skin look clearer and more even. They do not treat acne or hormonal conditions and are not a substitute for advice from your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist. The Ordinary is a brand of its owner and is not affiliated with Genova Skincare. Ingredient and price details are from brand and retailer listings checked on 26 September 2026 and change often.
Sources:
- Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Smiles K. The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2006;8(2):96-101.
- Tanno O, Ota Y, Kitamura N, et al. Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier. British Journal of Dermatology. 2000;143(3):524-531.
- Bissett DL, et al. Niacinamide: a B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatologic Surgery. 2005;31(7):860-865.
- Shalita AR, Smith JG, Parish LC, et al. Topical nicotinamide compared with clindamycin gel in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. International Journal of Dermatology. 1995;34(6):434-437.
- The Ordinary. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% product page (ingredients, pH and directions). Checked 26 September 2026.
