Both are 10% niacinamide with 1% zinc. Both cost roughly the same. Both show up on every "best serum" list in India. So which one should actually be in your routine?
We compared formulations, price-per-ml, and real-world fit for Indian skin and weather. Here's the honest breakdown.
The Quick Answer
If you want the most complete formulation for the price, go Minimalist 10% Niacinamide + Zinc. If you want the original, most-reviewed, no-frills version with the widest global track record, go The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. Both are good. Neither is a bad choice. The difference comes down to two extra ingredients and how much you're paying per ml.
Price and Value, Side by Side
| Minimalist 10% Niacinamide + Zinc | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| 30ml price | ₹527–569 | ₹600 |
| Larger size | — | ₹1,100 (60ml) |
| Price per ml | ~₹18/ml | ~₹20/ml |
| Texture | Lightweight, aloe-based, non-sticky | Lightweight, slightly tacky on application |
| Fragrance | Free | Free |
Minimalist is marginally cheaper per ml at the entry size, and it's more consistently in stock and on offer across Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra.
What's Actually Different in the Formula
This is where it gets interesting, because on paper they look identical.
The Ordinary is the original: niacinamide 10%, zinc PCA 1%, in a simple water-based gel. That's it. No extras, no claims beyond the two actives. It's a water-based formulation designed to enhance skin brightness, improve texture, and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier — and that's exactly what it does.
Minimalist uses the same 10% niacinamide and zinc base, but adds two ingredients The Ordinary doesn't have: Matmarine (a Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract) for sebum regulation through a separate mechanism, and acetyl glucosamine for additional melanin-inhibition that works alongside niacinamide's pigment-fading effect. It also uses dual zinc (PCA + glycinate) instead of just zinc PCA.
In practice: if your main concern is pure oil control and a no-fuss formula, The Ordinary does the job. If you're also dealing with stubborn acne marks or open pores, Minimalist's extra actives give it a slight edge — though the difference shows up over months, not days.
Minimalist 10% Niacinamide + Zinc Serum — 30ml
Minimalist
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Skin Type | Oily, Combination, Normal |
| Key Ingredient | Niacinamide 10%, Zinc PCA 1% |
| Texture | Lightweight Fluid |
| Use | AM & PM |
| Authenticity Check | 100% Genuine (Official Brand Storefront) |
Which One for Your Skin Concern
- Oily, acne-prone skin with active breakouts and visible pores — the Matmarine + dual zinc combination is built for this exact profile.
- Tight budget — cheaper per ml at the 30ml size, consistently discounted on Amazon India.
- Stubborn acne marks — acetyl glucosamine adds a second brightening mechanism on top of niacinamide.
- Proven global track record — has been on the market since 2020 with an enormous review base.
- Pure oil control, nothing fancy — minimal formula, exactly what it says on the label.
- A 60ml bottle — the larger size is only available from The Ordinary, not Minimalist.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 30ml
The Ordinary
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Skin Type | All, Normal, Oily, Dry |
| Key Ingredient | Niacinamide, Zinc |
| Texture | Serum |
| Use | Daily |
| Authenticity Check | 100% Genuine (Official Brand Storefront) |
Sensitive or first-time-actives skin? Start with a 5% niacinamide instead — see our 5% vs 10% guide and step up once your skin tolerates it.
Minimalist 5% Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum — 30ml
Minimalist
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Skin Type | Dry, Combination, Normal, Sensitive |
| Key Ingredient | Niacinamide 5%, Hyaluronic Acid |
| Texture | Lightweight Serum |
| Use | AM & PM |
| Authenticity Check | 100% Genuine (Official Brand Storefront) |
Layering Notes for Indian Weather
Both serums perform the same way in India's humidity: apply after cleansing and (optional) toner, before a lightweight moisturiser, morning and night. Neither pills under sunscreen if you give it 2–3 minutes to absorb first. In peak humidity months, a few drops is genuinely enough — over-applying either one just sits on the skin and feels tacky without adding benefit.
If you're using a separate vitamin C serum, alternate it with niacinamide across AM/PM rather than layering them in the same application — not because they cancel each other out (they don't — that's an outdated myth), but because it keeps your routine simpler and reduces irritation risk on sensitive days.
The Bottom Line
There isn't a clear loser here. Minimalist edges ahead on formulation depth and price-per-ml. The Ordinary wins on simplicity and global track record. Pick based on your specific concern, not the brand name.
Either way, 4–8 weeks of consistent use is the timeline before you judge results. No serum, at any price, shortcuts this.
This post contains affiliate links to Amazon India (Store ID: skinwithtanvi-21). Purchases made through these links earn Mirha & Co. a small commission at no extra cost to you. Product selection is based on ingredient research and price comparison, not sponsorship.