A slightly sticky gel. A little goes a long way because if you apply too much, it tends to “foam” a little when you massage it on the skin and takes a long time to absorb.
Formulas containing dimethicone or other silicones can feel tacky and this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The sticky feeling should disappear once the product has fully absorbed into the skin. One of my all-time favorite serums is The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension which contains a healthy amount of dimethicone.
The consistency is a clear gel-like liquid, and I apply a squirt of the pipet all over the face. Because it's water-based, make sure it's applied after cleansing/toning and before any oils or heavier creams.
Color - As mentioned above, some products are more easily to identify as fake. The AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution should look darker than blood, not purple, not bright red. Consistency - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% should be slightly cloudy and viscous, not clear and runny.
✔️ it has a glue-like or yeast-like smell to it. Trust us, it's not subtle. You'll be able to smell it clearly. ✔️ The consistency is ALWAYS thick and NOT at all watery.
Texture wise, it's liquidy but not runny and once you've applied it, it will get absorbed right into the skin. It doesn't have any fragrance smell although it does smell like glue stick.
"Niacinamide nourishes and calms redness and inflammation with no side effects. It has similar effects of retinol by strengthening the skin barrier, [and] fortifies [skin] from the get-go without sensitivity or irritation. It also acts as an antioxidant by limiting free radical damage."
If you're familiar with the smell and consistency of a The Ordinary product, that will make it easier to notice if your new product is suspicious. Deciem doesn't add fragrance to any of it's The Ordinary products, so if your newest purchase has a perfume smell, it's likely to be a fake.
The best advice I can give you is to ONLY BUY FROM DECIEM ITSELF OR ONE OF IT'S APPROVED SELLERS it's the only way to be safe. If you buy a fake, there's no way to know what you're putting on your face. Their processes won't be sanitary, the chemicals could be harmful. There won't be any actives.
The product is transparent and is slightly heavier than water. It feels very lightweight and non-sticky on the skin. The texture is slightly viscous and it foams on application so make sure you apply the ordinary niacinamide serum on dry skin and don't go overboard with the quantity.
If it isn't rubbed in properly and instead let to sink in on its own, the serum will dry out and leave white streaks. If it is rubbed in too rigorously it also leaves a white film. I like to lightly rub it in and then pat it down to help absorption.
4 tips for when niacinamide fails
Signs it's not working: You're not seeing results and you notice the product is pilling on your skin. Also, if you experience redness, itching, or burning, you might want to skip this ingredient.
Thicker products like serums can sometimes require more time to absorb than a lighter, more watery formula. In addition the overall consistency of the product, ingredients can play a role as well. “High concentrations of hyaluronic acid can leave the skin feeling sticky,” says Dr. Zeichner.
Serums have a non-greasy finish and they don't leave behind a sticky residue."
Applying too much product
Portion size matters a lot when it comes to skincare. Using too much of one product is not going to give you faster or better results. Since your skin has the capacity to only absorb so much product, the rest will stay on the surface and feel sticky.
All our products are Guaranteed 100% Authentic and only sourced from Authorised The Ordinary distributors in South Korea.
We buy direct from the manufacturer and all items are 100% authentic. None of the Ordinary products come with a safety seal from the manufacturer - that is how they come from Deciem. If you aren't happy, products come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Return via Amazon for a full refund.
When selecting niacinamide products, Dr Ho advises that “a concentration of 4-5% niacinamide is ideal—enough to improve acne and fine wrinkles”. Higher concentrations, like The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc, have not yet been proven to exhibit a higher rate of efficacy.
“Purging” is another term for breakouts, though there are some differences. Though some people do report experiencing irritation and breakouts after using the ingredient, niacinamide is unlikely to cause purging. That's because it doesn't affect the skin in a way that usually triggers purging.
As it's well tolerated by most people, niacinamide can be used twice a day everyday. It works at any time of the year although it comes in particularly handy in winter during cold, dry weather and frequent use of central heating. Use it in the run-up before starting your retinol treatment and alongside it, too.
People use niacinamide to prevent vitamin B3 deficiency and related conditions such as pellagra. It is also used for acne, diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, aging skin, skin discoloration, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Skin purging typically looks like tiny red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They are often accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. It can also cause your skin to become flaky. The flare ups caused by purging have a shorter lifespan than a breakout.
While some niacinamide-containing products start to show initial benefits in two weeks, most results will show in four weeks or more. "You have to remember that it doesn't take two days for spots to form so you can't expect them to be removed in two days either," explains Engelman.