Niacinamide, the skincare superstar, has cemented its place in routines worldwide. From tackling enlarged pores and stubborn redness to balancing oil production and fortifying the skin barrier, its multi-faceted benefits make it a must-have for almost every skin type. But with an ever-growing sea of niacinamide serums on the market, choosing “the one” can feel like navigating a minefield. Today, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head battle between two titans: Anua’s Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum and The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. One is a K-beauty darling, celebrated for its elegant formulations and gentle touch. The other, a Western cult-favorite, known for its no-frills, high-potency approach. Both promise 10% niacinamide, but as we all know here at Glow Coded, the ingredient list tells only half the story. The formulation is where the magic (or the misery) truly happens. Let’s peel back the layers and see which one truly earns its stripes.
TL;DR winner
Our pick for most people is the Anua Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum. Its formula adds peach extract and sodium hyaluronate for hydration. The Ordinary adds 1% zinc PCA for oily skin. We base this on the ingredient lists, not a wear test.
Why this fight matters
Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3, is truly a powerhouse ingredient. Its ability to visibly improve enlarged pores, refine uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, strengthen a compromised skin barrier, and reduce redness makes it an indispensable staple. It’s truly one of those rare ingredients that almost everyone can benefit from, regardless of age or skin concern. Here at Glow Coded, we’re big fans, and you can even check out our comprehensive guide to the best niacinamide serums for every skin type if you’re looking for more options.
The Ordinary burst onto the scene years ago, democratizing active skincare with its transparent, no-nonsense approach and unbelievably low prices. Their Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% quickly became a global best-seller, often serving as many people’s first foray into high-strength actives. It’s stripped-back, potent, and gets the job done – or so the story goes.
Enter Anua, a rising star in the K-beauty world, particularly known for its heartleaf-infused products and commitment to gentle, effective, and aesthetically pleasing formulations. Their Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum took the internet by storm, promising not just the pore-refining and brightening benefits of niacinamide but also a delightful sensory experience and a boost of hydration and antioxidants from its peach extract base.
This isn’t just a battle of two serums; it’s a philosophical clash. Do you opt for the minimalist, potent, and budget-friendly option that focuses almost exclusively on its star active? Or do you lean into the K-beauty philosophy of a holistic, multi-tasking serum that combines its hero ingredient with a symphony of supporting players designed to nurture and enhance the skin barrier while delivering results? This fight matters because it addresses a fundamental question many skincare users face: how much is too much, and how much is just right, when it comes to supporting ingredients in an active serum? For many, choosing between these two represents a choice between efficacy at all costs versus a more balanced, skin-kind approach.
Ingredient deck comparison
Anua’s Mirai Skin listing gives 5% niacinamide. The Ordinary lists 10% in its name.
Let’s break down Anua first.
Anua Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum (30ml, ~$20-25 USD)
- **Niacinamide (5%): The main active on Anua’s ingredient list.
- Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract (70%): This is the base of the serum, not just a tiny amount for marketing. Peach extract is rich in vitamins (A, C, E) and antioxidants, which can help protect the skin from environmental damage, provide a natural glow, and contribute to overall skin health. It also gives the serum its lovely peachy hue and subtle, natural scent.
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- **Peach (Prunus persica) fruit extract (70%): Listed right after niacinamide, according to Anua’s ingredient list on Mirai Skin.
- **Sodium hyaluronate, allantoin and dipotassium glycyrrhizate: Hydrating and soothing ingredients, also on Anua’s list.
- Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid): A classic humectant that draws moisture into the skin, providing hydration and a plumping effect. It’s a key ingredient in many hydrating serums, and if you’re curious about its role, we’ve got a great article on the truth about hyaluronic acid.
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- Adenosine: A yeast-derived ingredient known for its anti-aging properties, helping to improve skin elasticity and smooth the appearance of fine lines.
- Betaine: Another humectant and amino acid derivative that helps balance skin hydration and protect against irritation.
What’s notably absent from Anua’s formulation are common irritants like ethanol, artificial fragrance, and essential oils, making it a strong contender for sensitive skin types. It’s a truly holistic approach: high-strength niacinamide supported by a powerhouse of brightening, soothing, hydrating, and barrier-supporting ingredients.
Now, let’s turn our attention to The Ordinary.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (30ml, ~$6-8 USD)
- **Niacinamide (10%): The main active, as the product name states.
- **Zinc PCA (1%): A zinc salt named on The Ordinary’s label.
- Pentylene Glycol: A humectant and solvent that helps other ingredients penetrate the skin. It also has some antimicrobial properties.
- Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum: A plant-derived polysaccharide that acts as a film-former and humectant, providing some hydration and helping with texture.
The Ordinary’s approach is distinctly minimalist. It focuses on delivering a high concentration of niacinamide and zinc PCA in a straightforward, no-frills base. There are no fancy fruit extracts, fermented ingredients, ceramides, or additional brighteners beyond the niacinamide itself. This stripped-back approach is part of its appeal – you know exactly what you’re getting, and it’s designed to be effective for specific concerns (oil, pores, some redness) without adding anything deemed “unnecessary.”
Summary Comparison Table:
| Feature | Anua Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% |
|---|---|---|
| Base Ingredient | 70% Peach Fruit Extract (antioxidant-rich, hydrating) | Water-based, minimalist |
| Niacinamide Conc. | 10% | 10% |
| Soothing Agents | Panthenol, Betaine | Minimal (none explicitly for soothing beyond niacinamide’s inherent properties) |
| Brightening Agents | Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Peach Extract | Niacinamide |
| Hydration Boost | Peach Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine | Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Pentylene Glycol |
| Barrier Support | Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate | Minimal |
| Other Key Actives | Alpha-Arbutin (brightening), Adenosine (anti-aging), Saccharomyces (texture/barrier) | Zinc PCA (sebum regulation, anti-inflammatory) |
| Potential Irritants | None (free of ethanol, fragrance, essential oils) | None (but 10% niacinamide can be irritating for some without soothing buffers) |
| Overall Philosophy | Multi-tasking, holistic, gentle, barrier-supporting, K-beauty “skin health” approach | Targeted, minimalist, potent, Western “active-focused” approach |
Anua puts a lower niacinamide level alongside hydrating and soothing ingredients. The Ordinary keeps to niacinamide and zinc, which suits oily skin.
Texture, finish, pilling test
Beyond the ingredients, how a serum feels and behaves on your skin is paramount, especially when layering multiple products as part of a complete Korean routine.
Anua Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum: From the moment you dispense it, the Anua serum feels delightful. It has a lightweight, slightly viscous gel-like consistency, almost like a thin essence. It spreads effortlessly across the skin and absorbs remarkably quickly without leaving any residue.
- Texture: Silky, smooth, slightly bouncy gel.
- Finish: Leaves a beautiful, natural dewy glow. It’s not greasy or sticky in the slightest, feeling like a light layer of hydration has just been absorbed. It contributes to that coveted “glass skin” look without any heaviness.
- **Layering. Anua describes a lightweight texture. Pilling depends on what you layer over it, so apply thin layers and let each one settle.
**The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: The texture is watery with some tackiness, so it can pill under heavier layers.
- Texture: Watery, but with a noticeable tackiness that lingers slightly after application. It can feel a bit “tight” or drying for some, especially if applied to dry skin.
- Finish: Dries down to a matte or slightly satin finish. It doesn’t contribute to a dewy look and can sometimes feel like it’s sitting on top of the skin rather than fully absorbing.
- Pilling Test: Ah, the infamous pilling. The Ordinary Niacinamide is notorious for it. If you use too much, apply it too quickly, or layer it with certain other products (especially those with silicones or other film-formers), you’ll likely end up with tiny white balls of product rolling off your face. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re trying to apply makeup afterward.
- **Tips to avoid pilling with The Ordinary: use 2 to 3 drops, apply to slightly damp skin, pat instead of rubbing, and wait a few minutes before the next step. Heavier moisturizers and sticky sunscreens are more likely to pill on top.
On texture, Anua is the easier serum to layer.
What the formulas are for
This is not a split-face test. Anua pairs niacinamide with peach extract, panthenol, and alpha-arbutin. The Ordinary is 10% niacinamide plus zinc. Published use of niacinamide is pore appearance and tone; zinc is used for sebum. How either serum looks on combination skin depends on the rest of the routine. The images below are related products, not results from a timed trial.
