Niacinamide Serum for Large Pores and Oily Skin: Balancing B3 vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc

Niacinamide is the rare skincare ingredient that almost everyone can use and almost everyone benefits from. It helps regulate oil, refine the look of pores, calm redness and even out skin tone, and it does all of that with very little irritation. That is why 10% niacinamide serums have become a category of their own.

If you are in Australia and searching for a niacinamide serum, you will find The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% at one end of the price range and cosmeceutical options at the other. This guide explains what actually differs between them, using our own Balancing B3 as the professional-strength example. We make it, so weigh our view accordingly — but the comparison below is factual.

What niacinamide does for your skin

Niacinamide is vitamin B3. In a leave-on serum at 4–10% it has been studied for four main effects:

• Oil regulation. Reduces sebum production over several weeks, which is why pores look smaller and skin looks less shiny by mid-afternoon.
• Pore appearance. Less oil and a tighter pore lining mean pores look refined. Niacinamide does not shrink pores permanently — nothing does — but it visibly improves them with continued use.
• Redness and barrier. Supports ceramide production, so the skin barrier holds moisture better and reacts less. This is what makes it useful alongside retinol and acids.
• Uneven tone. Helps slow the transfer of pigment to the surface, so tone looks more even over time. Gentler and slower than vitamin C, but well tolerated by skin that cannot handle high-strength vitamin C.

Why 10% is the usual strength

Most published work sits between 2% and 5%, where niacinamide is already effective. Brands moved to 10% because it delivers faster visible results on oil and pores. Above 10% the extra benefit is small and a minority of people experience flushing. So 10% is a sensible ceiling — and it is the strength both products compared here use. Percentage is not the differentiator.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Around $10–13 AUD for 30 mL at the time of writing. A water-based serum with 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc PCA, which adds a further oil-controlling effect. It is effective, minimal and extraordinarily cheap.

The consistent criticisms from long-term users: the texture can pill under moisturiser or SPF, it can feel tacky, some people find the zinc drying, and — as with any dropper bottle — the formula is exposed to air and light every time it is opened. For a stable ingredient like niacinamide that matters less than it does for vitamin C, but it still matters for the supporting ingredients.

Balancing B3: what professional-strength changes

Balancing B3 is $119 AUD for 20 mL, formulated and made in Australia, 100% vegan and fragrance-free. Same 10% niacinamide. The differences are in the rest of the formula and the packaging:

• Hydration built in. Three forms of hyaluronic acid (including a cross-polymer that holds water for longer), panthenol (vitamin B5) and a marine hydrating complex. The serum is designed to be the only thing your skin needs at night if you want it to be, rather than a single ingredient you layer under something else.
• Amino acid complex. Arginine, glycine, serine and others support the skin's natural moisturising factor, which is what keeps oily skin from over-producing oil in the first place.
• Silky, non-pilling texture. Formulated to sit under retinol or eye serum without balling up.
• Airless syringe. No air or UV exposure between uses, no wastage, and a travel lock.

What you are not getting for the extra spend: a different active. It is still 10% niacinamide, and if The Ordinary's version suits your skin and routine, there is no reason to switch.

Side-by-side

	The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%	TRIPLE A Balancing B3
Niacinamide	10%	10%
Supporting actives	Zinc PCA 1%	Hyaluronic acid (3 forms), panthenol, amino acids, marine hydrators
Size	30 mL	20 mL
Approx. RRP (AUD)	~$10–13	$119
Texture	Watery, can pill	Silky serum
Packaging	Glass dropper	Airless syringe
Fragrance	Free	Free
Made in	Canada	Australia
Vegan	Yes	Yes

Prices are approximate RRP at time of writing (September 2026) and change frequently.

How to choose

Start with The Ordinary if you have never used niacinamide and want to confirm your skin likes it before spending more. That is a sensible sequence and we would say the same to a friend.

Consider Balancing B3 if you want one night serum that hydrates as well as balances, you have had pilling or tackiness problems, your skin is oily and dehydrated (very common in Australian air-conditioned offices), or Australian-made matters to you.

How to use a niacinamide serum in your routine

1. Night is easiest. Cleanse, tone, apply niacinamide, then retinol or eye serum over the top if you use them.
2. Keep it away from high-strength vitamin C. Niacinamide and 20% L-ascorbic acid are best used at different times of day. Vitamin C in the morning, niacinamide at night is the clean split.
3. Pair with a gentle exfoliating cleanser. An AHA gel cleanser keeps pores clear so the serum has less to fight.
4. Give it eight weeks. Oil control shows within two to four weeks; pore appearance and tone take longer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use niacinamide every day? Yes. It is one of the most tolerable actives and is suitable for daily use, including for sensitive skin.

Is niacinamide safe during pregnancy? Niacinamide is generally considered suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Check with your doctor if you are unsure.

Can I use niacinamide with retinol? Yes — it is a good pairing. Niacinamide supports the barrier and can reduce the dryness that comes with starting retinol. Apply niacinamide first, retinol over the top.

Will niacinamide make my pores smaller? It reduces the oil and debris that make pores look larger, so they appear smaller. Pore size itself is genetic.

Where to go next

Shop Balancing B3, browse the pores and oil control range, or see how we compare on vitamin C and retinol. Routine questions are answered in the FAQ.

This article is general information, not personalised skincare or medical advice. If you have a diagnosed skin condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or use prescription topicals, speak to your dermatologist or GP first.