If you are looking for effective skincare products to address your skin concerns, it’s high likely that you may have come across two popular brands, the La Roche-Posay and The Ordinary. Both brands offer a range of products that target different skin issues, such as aging, acne, hyperpigmentation, and more. In this article, we will try to compare two of their best-selling products: La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. At a glance, you may wonder what sets these two products apart; that’s why, let’s try to look at them in more detail so you will have a clear idea of which product is more suitable for your skincare needs.
We will talk about the following:
- What are La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
- What are the ingredients of La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
- How are the textures of La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
- How is the ideal usage of La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
- What are the price differences between La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
- Which one to buy?
| La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 6.3 x 1.9 x 1.9 inches | 4.76 x 1.92 x 1.37 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 2.08 ounces | 3.2 Ounces |
About La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
La Roche-Posay is a New York-based renowned skincare brand rooted first in France. The brand was founded in a French town of the same name in 1975, and it still manufactures products there today. La Roche-Posay is committed to making dermatology accessible to people through health tech and the brand is known for offering transformative products specifically designed for all skin regardless of age, ethnicity, or any other skin pathology.
La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream is one of their flagship products. It is an anti-aging pure retinol face cream that helps visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. This cream is claimed to have a formula that also helps visibly diminish premature sun damage and is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
On the other side, there is also The Ordinary. This brand came to the skincare industry with its unconventional approach; focusing on transparency, simplicity, and affordability, while also offering many budget-friendly products. Each of The Ordinary’s skincare formulations is simple, including one or two actives, and leaving out additives, fillers, fragrances, and dyes.
The Ordinary’s notable products include The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. It is a serum designed to reduce the appearance of blemishes, congestion, redness, enlarged pores, uneven tone, and oily skin. It’s known for improving skin texture and reducing inflammation, as well as promoting clearer, brighter, and smoother skin while balancing sebum production.
Ingredients of La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream
This cream has key ingredients consisting of Pure Retinol (retinoic acid) that is widely recommended by dermatologists. It helps promote surface cell turnover and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Then, the cream also has Lipo-Hydroxy Acid or LHA, a derivative of salicylic acid, and has exfoliating and skin surface-renewing properties.
Next, it also contains Glycerin, an excellent humectant that helps hydrate skin by absorbing water from the surrounding environment, and last but not least, the cream has La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water; a soothing water sourced in the town of La Roche-Posay in France and contains a unique combination of minerals, trace elements, and a high concentration of selenium, which is a natural antioxidant.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This serum has shown its main ingredients by the name itself. It mainly contains a high 10% concentration of Niacinamide (vitamin B3) and 1% of Zinc PCA. Niacinamide itself is a vitamin that reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion, while also Zinc PCA is a mineral that helps control oil production.
Other than these main ingredients, The Ordinary Niacinamide also contains many other formulations such as Pentylene Glycol to help retain moisture, Dimethyl Isosorbide to enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum plus Xanthan gum as thickening and stabilizing agents, and many more.
Textures of La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream
This cream has a lightweight, velvety, non-greasy texture leaving skin soft and luminous after its application. Users tend to address the texture or consistency to be moisturizing and pleasant but feel a bit emollient on the skin. The application is said to be applied the best in areas such as the upper lip, forehead, and crow’s feet wrinkles on the skin.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This serum is an odorless water-based serum yet it has a transparent, viscous, slightly thicker texture. So it doesn’t have a completely runny or water-like consistency. When you apply this serum, it also creates some ‘foam’ as it turns white when you rub it on your skin. By this, you are supposed to put it on dry skin and don’t use too much as in its quantity so it will be absorbed quicker.
Ideal Usage of La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% are both popular skincare products, but they serve different purposes and are used differently. First, La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream is an anti-aging cream that contains pure retinol. It is designed to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
This cream also helps to smooth skin texture and even out skin tone, ideally recommended for use on deep wrinkles, fine lines, premature sun damage, and sensitive skin. To use this product, you should cleanse your face and then apply the cream on your face and neck. It can be used alone or under a moisturizer, most ideal during night application,
La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream is gentle enough for sensitive skin, but as retinol can increase skin sensitivity to the sun, it is highly recommended to apply sunscreen as your SPF protection daily if you wish to add it to your morning skincare routine too. As you apply it, make sure to avoid eye area to prevent irritation.
Meanwhile, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a serum that is primarily used to treat acne and dark spots. It is a straightforward choice that can smooth out your skin, help with acne and rosacea, and improve your overall complexion. It is great for almost every skin type, and you can incorporate it easily into your existing skincare routine.
By usage, this product is ideally used twice a day, in the morning and the evening, after you cleanse and tone your skin but before you use your moisturizer. It’s recommended to apply a couple of drops of Niacinamide 10% Zinc 1% to your skin, and then apply creams or other hydrating products on top of it. It’s particularly beneficial for those with red, oily skin, or skin that has many acne scars.
For restriction, this serum should not be used with acidic skincare ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and even vitamin C too. When its high 10% niacinamide concentration is combined with an acid, it can cause a bad chemical reaction of redness and flushing. So it’s important to be mindful about your skincare steps and keep yourself educated.
Overall, you can see that while both products aim to improve the skin’s appearance, they target different issues and contain different active ingredients. La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream is an anti-aging cream that targets wrinkles and sun damage with retinol, while The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a serum that targets acne and dark spots with niacinamide and zinc.
Price Differences between La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
On the market, La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream is priced mostly at $54.99 for 30 ml. Meanwhile, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is priced at approximately $6.00 for 30ml, $10.80 for 60ml, and $19.90 for 120ml.
By this, it’s clear that The La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream is generally more expensive than The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. The price difference can be caused by how La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream contains pure retinol, a more expensive ingredient compared to niacinamide and zinc used in The Ordinary product. Also, it can be the brand positioning as La Roche-Posay is often positioned as a premium brand in the skincare market, justifying its higher price point.
| La Roche Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | - Anti aging Retinol serum that visibly reduces wrinkles, smooths skin texture and helps even tone. Formulated with Pure Retinol. Packaging may vary. - Lightweight, velvety, non-greasy texture that leaves skin soft and luminous and smoothes texture. - Redermic R is an anti-aging formula that visibly reduces upper lip, forehead and crow's feet wrinkles. | - Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is indicated to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. - A high 10% concentration of this vitamin is supported in the formula by zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid to balance visible aspects of sebum activity. - Contraindications: If topical Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid and/or Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid) is used as part of skincare, it should be applied at alternate times with this formula (ideally Vitamin C in the PM and this formula in the AM). |
Conclusion
In summary, the choice between La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% wholly depends on your skincare needs and preferences. If you’re primarily concerned with addressing signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, La Roche-Posay’s retinol cream might be the ideal choice for you with its enriched pure retinol.
However, if your main skincare goals revolve around combating acne, reducing blemishes, and improving overall skin texture, then The Ordinary’s niacinamide serum could be more suitable. With a focus on simplicity and affordability, this serum offers a potent blend of niacinamide and zinc to target various skin concerns without being too highly priced.
Price-wise, La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream comes at a higher price point and reflects its premium positioning and inclusion of pure retinol, while The Ordinary provides a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality. In the end, you can make an informed decision that leads to healthier, more radiant skin by understanding the differences between these products and considering your specific skincare needs.