The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% versus Paula's Choice Defense Antioxidant Pore Purifier. This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores. This pore-care treatment is formulated around Ascorbyl Glucoside and Salicylic Acid to refine the look of pores and balance excess oil. No concerns Water Niacinamide 10% Pentylene Glycol Zinc PCA 1% Dimethyl Isosorbide Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum Xanthan Gum Isoceteth-20 Ethoxydiglycol Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin Water, Niacinamide 10%, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA 1%, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin Propanediol Butylene Glycol Glycerin Ascorbyl Glucoside Panthenol Salicylic Acid Camellia Sinensis Callus Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract Ceramide NP Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract Panax Ginseng Root Extract Niacinamide Phytic Acid Epigallocatechin Gallate Adenosine Ubiquinone Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract Sodium Hyaluronate Lecithin Centella Asiatica Extract Sucrose Stearate Glycine Soja Seed Extract Hydrogenated Lecithin Carbomer Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Caprylyl Glycol Polysorbate 20 Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate Hydroxyethylcellulose Sodium Hydroxide Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Callus, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Niacinamide, Phytic Acid, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Adenosine, Ubiquinone, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Ethoxydiglycol (aka Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether) is one of the cosmetic world's quiet problem solvers. In a formula, it is a solvent that dissolves tricky ingredients that don't want to mix in and helps spread ingredients evenly across your skin without leaving a greasy or sticky feeling This makes it great for hard-to-dissolve actives like vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and self-tanner DHA. It also has mild humectant and penetration enhancer abilities so it can help some actives absorb a little deeper. The penetration boost is backed by lab research: studies using human skin samples found it improved how well an active dissolves into the upper layer of skin rather than tearing down your skin barrier. Reviews of its mechanism also describe it interacting gently with the lipids and water in your outermost layer of skin. Just know this penetration-enhancing effect is not universal. It helps a lot in some formulas and did very little in others (so the benefit really depends on the specific product). Safety-wise, the evidence is reassuring. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed it and concluded it's safe for use in cosmetics and recognized it as non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and non-comedogenic in skincare. Typical leave-on skincare usage lands around 1-10%. The EU has sets caps of 2.6% in non-spray products, 10% in rinse-offs, 7% in oxidative hair dye, and 5% in non-oxidative hair dye. Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging. And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin. You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this. In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it. If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare. When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration. When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes. In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution). Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower