Battle of the Niacinamide Serums!

 
Hey guys!!! :)

So as promised I've decided it's time for the Battle of the Niacinamide Serums: The Ordinary Vs. Purito! I'd been using TO Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for about 9 months before I decided to switch to the Purito Centella Unscented Serum. The main reason for this was because I was almost finished with The Ordinary and wanted to try a serum with centella asiatica as the main ingredient. I'd also started getting into Korean skincare and wanted to experiment with different products. I started using the Purito serum back in December 2020 but had to stop as I was using The Ordinary Niacinamide at the same time and I think the percentage of niacinamide was too high for my skin to tolerate. I noticed that was skin was getting oilier and more irritated in the evening so I decided to stop using niacinamide altogether. I started using The Ordinary Niacinamide again in January as I wanted to finish the bottle before carrying on with the Purito serum. I've currently been using the Purito Centella Unscented Serum for just over 5 weeks, so here is my comparison review...

What is niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is an active ingredient used in skincare products that addresses a variety of skin concerns, including: anti-aging, anti-redness, minimising pores, sebum control, brightening and texture. Due to it's many properties this makes it a very popular ingredient for people who suffer with oily and acne prone skin.

#1) The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Reasons for purchase: I was experiencing a very oily t-zone in the evenings so I wanted to try a serum that could help regulate my sebum production, as well as helping to clear my breakouts at the same time.

Overall thoughts (after 10 months): The texture is very thick and viscous which I like as it's very spreadable. It takes seconds to be absorbed into the skin and when it does my skin feels smooth and supple. I also noticed that after about 2-4 weeks of consistent use my oil levels were regulated and my skin was alot clearer. Even when I did get a breakout it would disappear within a few days. I was amazed at the overall improvement in my skin and how effective it was on my acne. It didn't just help clear my breakouts, it also prevented them from reappearing which meant that I started getting them less frequently. Prevention really is the best cure! 

Pros:

• Nice viscous texture
• Very spreadable
• Controls sebum 
• Absorbs quickly
• Breakouts less frequent

Cons:

• Can "soap" up on skin
• Feels slightly tacky

#2) Purito Centella Unscented Serum

Reasons for purchase: I'd just dipped my toe into the world of Korean Skincare and was curious to try other K-Beauty products. I'd also heard great things about the properties of centella asiatica and wanted to see what all the hype was about. Apparently it's soothing, calming and has wound healing abilities, so it's good for acne prone skin. However, it also has 3% niacinamide which I'd found to be a very effective ingredient for my skin.

Overall thoughts (After 6 weeks): I first started using this in December 2020 for 1 week before I had to stop (see intro above) which wasn't more than enough time to start seeing results. However, I restarted it 5 weeks ago and have since been enjoying it. It has a lovely thin gel-like consistency and I only need 2 pumps for my face and neck. It does take about 5 minutes to fully absorb but my skin feels soothed and hydrated afterwards. I've not seen much of a difference in my breakouts but it does control my sebum levels to an extent.

Pros:

• Thin gel consistency
• Non-sticky formula
• 49% Centella Asiatica
• Soothing/calming
• Controls sebum (slightly)

Cons:

• Absorbs very slowly
• Leaves skin feeling tight
• Only 3% niacinamide

The Ordinary Vs Purito: How do they compare?

Overall Verdict: Although these serums both contain niacinamide they have alot of differences. Firstly, they have different percentages of niacinamide; TO has 10% whereas Purito has only 3%. I definitely noticed that the higher the percentage of niacinamide, the more effective it is at regulating sebum and clearing breakouts. The formulas are both very different as TO has only niacinamide and zinc, whilst Purito has the addition of centella asiatica and peptides. I do feel like I haven't yet seen the effects of these two ingredients in the Purito formula, however it does feel soothing on the skin and I never notice any redness when I apply it in the AM. Although my skin gets less irritated in the morning so I can't be completely confident in its soothing and calming properties. The textures of the two niacinamide serums is slightly similar, as they're both gel-like, but TO has a slightly thicker consistency compared to the thin and runny texture of the Purito serum. They also have a different finish on the skin after they've fully absorbed. Whilst TO leaves my skin soft and smooth, Purito leaves a more tight and firm feeling behind.

And the winner of the battle is...

Although they both have niacinamide in them, I feel like they are two completely different serums in how they perform plus the overall feel and experience of applying them. TO serum brings alot of noticeable benefits to the skin, whereas the effects of the Purito one are alot more subtle. However, maybe with continued use of the Purito I would start to see more of a difference in my breakouts and reap all the benefits of the centella. It seems that although the Purito contains 3% of niacinamide, it's the centella that's really the star of the show at a whopping 49%! 

I think there's a clear winner here... it has to be The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% as it has the most noticeable effects on the skin. It also showed results within the first week of use, whereas the Purito Centella Unscented Serum has been more of a slow burner and the acne fighting benefits are alot more subtle. I still enjoy the Purito serum but it doesn't come anywhere close to my experience with TO serum. I still have about 2 more months left of the Purito, so I may start to see the full benefits of the serum in the next few weeks. I also bought another bottle so I really hope the serum comes through and serves up the goods! 

I think I might stick to products that contain niacinamide alongside other ingredients from now on, even though TO serum was really effective. You can find it in so many products these days and it can be combined with other ingredients that do similar things, so I might hold off from going back to TO Niacinamide. I may go back to it at some point but for now I'm enjoying experimenting with other products. For example, I've found a couple of essences with niacinamide, including the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water and Scinic First Treatment Essence. I'll let you know how I get on with them!

Who Cares, We Care, Skincare :)