Is Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc a dupe for The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%? Since Revolution burst onto the skincare scene, I couldn’t help but notice its eerie resemblance to The Ordinary. It’s like they’re trying to dupe the whole line.
That’d make for a super long post, so let’s focus on these two products for now. Which of these two serums is better, Gio? I get asked this question all the time – and not just about these two serums. About any product out there. Sometimes, there’s a clear winner. I’ll take Paula’s Choice C15 Booster over any of The Ordinary Vitamin C serums any day of the week. Vitamin C needs the help of fellow antioxidants to work its best and none of The Ordinary serums have them.
Other times, the answer is “it doesn’t matter!” Case in point, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% VS Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc. The two are pretty much identical dupes. In this case, how do you make the right choice? How do you know which one you should be going for? Fret not, I’ve done the work for you. Read this post to find out:
What Ingredients Do These Niacinamide Serums Have In Common?
NIACINAMIDE TO… EVERYTHING
Niacinamide is the most versatile ingredient in skincare. It can do everything. I’m not exaggerating. Studies show that Niacinamide:
Hydrates skin: It’s more effective than petrolatum at preventing water loss.
Soothes skin: It alleviates the symptoms of rosacea and irritations.
Lightens skin: It reduces dark spots, blotchiness (redness) and sallowness (yellowing).
Helps treat wrinkles: Preliminary research shows it can boost the production of skin-firming collagen.
Treats acne: Its effects are similar to those of 1% clindamycin gel.
You know what this mean? Niacinamide is suitable for all skin types:
Dry skin: It helps keep it soft and hydrated.
Oily skin: It helps shrink large pores and heal pimples faster.
Sensitive skin: It helps soothe redness and irritations.
Mature, sun-damaged skin: It helps lighten dark spots and keep wrinkles at bay.
Related: The Complete Guide To Niacinamide: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
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ZINC PCA TO ABSORB EXCESS OIL
Zinc PCA is made up of two things:
Zinc: A mineral that regulates oil production and limits the proliferation of acne-causing bacteria.
L-PCA: Short for Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid, it’s a natural moisturising factor that hydrates skin. Plus, it helps increase the bioavailability and effectiveness of zinc.
The catch? So far, the only study I’ve found on its effectiveness comes from the manufacturer. They found that using 1% of Zinc PCA every day for 28 days reduces sebum production significantly.
Zinc PCA is the reason why so many people find this product drying. Absorbing excess oil is all well and good when your skin pumps out too much. But when it doesn’t have enough? That’s a recipe for disaster.
Related: Does Zinc Really Help Treat Acne?
What Else Is In These Niacinamide Products?
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
Red: What is this doing here?!
THE ORDINARY NIACINAMIDE 10% + ZINC 1%
Aqua (Water): Very hydrating, it’s also a solvent that helps to dissolve other ingredients in the product.
Pentylene Glycol: A humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin, keeping it hydrated for longer. It also helps active ingredients better penetrate skin.
Dimethyl Isosorbide: It decreases the thickness of a texture, so that it remains fluid instead of morphing into a thicker lotion.
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum: It has thickening properties that create pleasant to use textures.
Xanthan gum: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
Isoceteth-20: It helps to soluble ingredients in water.
Ethoxydiglycol: A solvent that helps improve the function, penetration, and texture of skin care products.
Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria in skincare products.
Chlorphenesin: Another preservative that inhibits bacteria growth to keep your skincare products safer for longer.
REVOLUTION SKINCARE BLEMISH AND PORE REFINING SERUM – 10% NIACINAMIDE + 1% ZINCE
Aqua/Water/Eau: A solvent that dissolves other ingredients in the formula. Plus, it’s hydrating.
Propanediol: It enhances the penetration of active ingredients into your skin.
Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture from the air into your skin, increasing its moisture levels and keeping it hydrated for hours on end.
Butylene Glycol: Another humectant that increases moisture into the skin to make it soft and supple. It also helps active ingredients better penetrate skin.
Xanthan Gum: It thickens the texture of skincare products.
Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria and other nasties in your skincare products.
Potassium Sorbate: Another preservative that prevents bacteria from growing in your serum and spoiling it.
Disodium Edta: A chelating agent that neutralises the metal ions in the water that may otherwise spoil the formula.
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has a couple of drops of Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, a polysaccharide that moisturizes skin. That doesn’t stop it from being super drying, but it’s the only thing that sets it a little apart from Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc.
What’s The Texture Like?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has a lightweight fast-absorbing texture.
Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc has a very similar texture. It’s just slightly thinner.
What’s The Packaging Like?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% comes in a white bottle with a dropper applicator for ease of use.
Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc has an almost identical bottle, complete with dropper applicator. The only difference? It’s decorated with rose gold accents.
If you’ve experienced breakouts by using The Ordinary skincare then you need to enrol in Extraordinary Skin With The Ordinary and get started on module 3 now. It’s created by my scientist friend Cheryl Woodman – click here to check it out now. (affiliate link)
How To Use Them
You can use these serums up to twice a day, morning and/or evening, before moisturiser. If you’re using an exfoliant, use that first. If you’re a hyaluronic acid serum, apply niacinamide first.
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
Close your eyes, pick one and be done with it. I’m not kidding. The two are pretty much identical. I’d personally go with The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% only because it’s £1.00 cheaper. But if that’s out of stock (The Ordinary isn’t the most reliable brand out there), its Revolution Skincare rival will work just as well.
WARNING! These serums are only for oily skin. If your skin doesn’t produce excess oil, you DON’T need them. They’ll just dry out your skin.
Availability
Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc ($7.00/£6.00): Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Revolution Beauty.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6.00/£5.00): Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, and Ulta
Is Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc A Dupe For The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
THE ORDINARY
REVOLUTION SKINCARE
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
10% niacinamide and 1% zinc.
10% niacinamide and 1% zinc.
OTHER INGREDIENTS
Hydrating humectants.
Hydrating humectants.
TEXTURE
Lightweight.
Lighter than The Ordinary.
PACKAGING
White bottle with dropper applicator.
White bottle with rose gold accents and dropper applicator.
PERFORMANCE
Absorbs excess oil and prevents blemishes.
Absorbs excess oil and prevents blemishes.
IRRITATING POTENTIAL
Low.
Slightly lower, as it contains fewer ingredients (so less chance something will irritate your skin).
I know what you’re going to say. t’s ironic to call Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc a dupe for The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% when the latter came first. But, let’s be honest, Revolution Skincare just copied it (and most of the line, really). So to me, that’s the dupe (or copy cat?). But yes, they’re dupes and it doesn’t matter which one you’ll go for. Bot will get you results.
Revolution Skincare Blemish and Pore Refining Serum – 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Zinc Pca, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Edta.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Ingredients
Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
