Dermstore
$53.00
We may earn a commission. It never changes a verdict.
Skincare · reviewed
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The buying question
How do the listed key actives, disclosed percentages and fragrance listing differ?
Same on 1 of 2 features checked
Same 10% niacinamide, but The Ordinary adds 1% zinc PCA. Neither lists fragrance. $53 for 20 mL versus $6 for 30 mL.
Equivalent performance is not established.
How we reached this verdict ↗Original
Paula's Choice
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster — 20 mL
$53.00
$265.00 / 100 mL
Checked
Alternative
The Ordinary
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — 30 mL
$6.00
$20.00 / 100 mL
Checked
Same, partial, different, unknown.
“Same” means a recorded feature matches, not equivalent performance.
Listed key actives and disclosed percentages
Different- Original
- Niacinamide: 10%
- Brand-stated
- Alternative
- Niacinamide: 10%; Zinc PCA: 1%
- Brand-stated
Both disclose 10% niacinamide. The Ordinary also contains 1% zinc PCA, which Paula's Choice doesn't list.
Sources for Listed key actives and disclosed percentages
Fragrance listed
Same- Original
- No
- Brand-stated
- Alternative
- No
- Brand-stated
Neither ingredient list includes fragrance or essential oils. Paula's Choice says it adds no fragrance; Ulta lists The Ordinary's serum as made without fragrance.
Sources for Fragrance listed
What we couldn’t check
- Comparative performance. Texture, how each layers with other products, and skin outcomes have not been compared. Dermstore's ingredient list for Paula's Choice differs from the brand's, which may mean a reformulation.
Retailer options
We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes a verdict.
Shipping and tax excluded. Confirm totals at the retailer.
Lowest unit price first per version; ties alphabetical, missing prices last. Commissions never affect this order.
Original · Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster — 20 mL
Paula's Choice
$53.00
We may earn a commission. It never changes a verdict.
Alternative · The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — 30 mL
The Ordinary
$6.00
We may earn a commission. It never changes a verdict.
Ulta
$6.00
We may earn a commission. It never changes a verdict.
Scope & corrections
Scope version 1 · Listed key actives and disclosed percentages; Fragrance listed
This comparison uses its category’s standard scope. No scope changes are recorded.
No corrections have been recorded.
About corrections ↗