Can you use The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% with The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA?
Yes
Their key actives have no known conflict.
Based on 2 active-ingredient pairings, listed below.
How to use them
- Apply the thinner, more watery product first, then the thicker one.
- Finish with moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning.
Every active pairing checked
| Actives | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Niacinamide + alpha arbutin | Yes | Yes. Niacinamide and alpha arbutin are an easy pairing for dark spots. |
| Niacinamide + hyaluronic acid | Yes | Yes. Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid have no known conflict. |
What's in each product
Key actives
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
Actives read from each brand's published ingredient list (as transcribed on INCIDecoder and INCIDecoder). Formulas change; check your bottle.
Sources
- Bissett DL, et al. Niacinamide: a B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(7 Pt 2):860-865.
- Tanno O, Ota Y, Kitamura N, Katsube T, Inoue S. Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143(3):524-531.
- Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Smiles K. The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2006;8(2):96-101.
- Boo YC. Arbutin as a skin depigmenting agent with antimelanogenic and antioxidant properties. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(7):1129.
- Austin E, Nguyen JK, Jagdeo J. Topical treatments for melasma: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(11):S1545961619P1156X.
- SCCS, Degen GH. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS): Opinion on the safety of the use of alpha-arbutin in cosmetic products. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2016;74:75-6.
- Tantanasrigul P, Sripha A, Chongmelaxme B. The Efficacy of Topical Cosmetic Containing Alpha-Arbutin 5% and kojic acid 2% Compared With Triple Combination Cream for the Treatment of Melasma: A Split-Face, Evaluator-Blinded Randomized Pilot Study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(1):e16562.
- Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: a key molecule in skin aging. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012;4(3):253-258.
- Pavicic T, et al. Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011;10(9):990-1000.
- Zanchetta C, Scandolera A, Reynaud R. Hyaluronic Acid in Topical Applications: The Various Forms and Biological Effects of a Hero Molecule in the Cosmetics Industry. Biomolecules. 2025;15(12):1656.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers). Content current as of 07/06/2023.
- INCIDecoder. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: ingredient list.
- INCIDecoder. The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: ingredient list.