Fundamentals vs The Ordinary: Niacinamide Serums, Compared
SA's no-frills 6% niacinamide against DECIEM's 10% + zinc benchmark — concentration, texture and Rand value for local skin.
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
R169
The benchmark, and the local challenger daring to undercut it
The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is arguably the single most recognisable niacinamide serum on the planet — the product that introduced a generation of skincare buyers to the idea that a R169 bottle could hold its own against far pricier brightening and oil-control actives. Fundamentals' 6% Niacinamide Serum is the local answer: a South African brand betting that a gentler concentration, done cleanly, beats chasing the same double-digit number everyone else quotes.
Concentration isn't the whole story
Niacinamide research generally supports meaningful benefit from 2% up to around 5%, with returns flattening — and irritation risk rising for reactive skin — above that. The Ordinary's 10% is formulated for shoppers who specifically want a stronger, more assertive oil-control and pore-refining effect, backed by 1% zinc PCA for extra sebum regulation. Fundamentals' 6% sits closer to the well-evidenced sweet spot: enough concentration to genuinely work on tone, texture and oil control, without the pilling or tingling that a minority of users report from The Ordinary's higher-strength, isoceteth-forward vehicle.
Texture and how each one wears in SA conditions
The Ordinary's serum has a slightly tacky, viscous finish that can pill under sunscreen or makeup for some skin types — more noticeable in humid coastal conditions where products sit on the skin longer before absorbing. Fundamentals' formula, built around niacinamide alongside hyaluronic acid crosspolymer and panthenol, tends to sink in faster and layer more comfortably, which matters in a Durban or Gqeberha summer when every extra minute of tackiness before SPF feels like a lot.
Who actually needs the stronger 10%
If you're managing genuinely oily, acne-prone or large-pore skin and have used niacinamide before without irritation, The Ordinary's 10% + zinc combination gives you more assertive oil control for a similar price bracket. If you're newer to actives, have reactive or combination skin, or you've found higher-strength niacinamide serums pill or sting in the past, Fundamentals' 6% is the gentler, still-effective starting point — and at R129, it's the cheaper bottle too.
Our take
This isn't really a quality gap — both are honestly formulated, single-active niacinamide serums doing exactly what the label says. It's a concentration and tolerance decision. Sensitive or first-time actives users should start with Fundamentals; established niacinamide users chasing stronger oil control can reasonably reach for The Ordinary. Either way, niacinamide plays well under sunscreen and pairs safely with most other actives, including retinoids and vitamin C.
Which one actually makes sense for you
Better for sensitive or first-time niacinamide users
Fundamentals 6% Niacinamide — a gentler, well-evidenced concentration with less pilling risk.
Better for stronger oil control on established actives users
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc — a more assertive concentration with added zinc PCA.
Better value
Fundamentals, at R129 versus The Ordinary's R169 for a comparable single-active serum.
Better texture for humid coastal climates
Fundamentals — its lighter finish tends to layer more comfortably under sunscreen in humidity.
Key takeaways
- Fundamentals' 6% niacinamide sits within the well-evidenced 2–5% sweet spot for tolerance; The Ordinary's 10% + zinc is formulated for more assertive oil control.
- The Ordinary's vehicle can pill or feel tacky for some users, particularly in humid conditions; Fundamentals' formula tends to absorb faster.
- Fundamentals is the cheaper bottle at R129 versus The Ordinary's R169, undercutting the category benchmark on price as well as concentration.
- Neither replaces sunscreen — niacinamide is a supporting active for tone and oil control, not sun protection.
From the Knowledge Hub
Frequently asked questions
Is 10% niacinamide better than 6%?
Not automatically. Research generally supports meaningful benefit from 2–5% niacinamide, with returns flattening above that. A higher concentration like 10% can give more assertive oil control for established actives users, but it also raises irritation risk for reactive or first-time users.
Why does The Ordinary's niacinamide serum pill under other products?
Some users report a tacky, viscous finish from the vehicle in The Ordinary's formula, which can cause pilling when layered under sunscreen or makeup, especially in humid conditions. Applying a thin layer and waiting for full absorption before the next step usually helps.
Can I switch from Fundamentals to The Ordinary once my skin builds tolerance?
Yes — a common approach is starting with a gentler concentration like Fundamentals' 6% for a few weeks, then moving up to The Ordinary's 10% + zinc formula if your skin has tolerated niacinamide well and you want stronger oil control.
Which is better value for South African buyers?
Fundamentals is the cheaper bottle at R129 against The Ordinary's R169, and both are widely stocked at mainstream SA retailers like Clicks, making Fundamentals the stronger pick on pure Rand value.
Editorial disclaimer: SKINLABS's views and opinions are independent. This article is not paid or sponsored content. Product information is assessed using publicly available information, ingredient analysis, editorial research and, where applicable, product testing. Prices, availability and formulations may change.
Reader discussion
Katlego_Rustenburg
The Ordinary always pilled on me under sunscreen, makes sense now reading about the vehicle issue.
2026/08/30
Emma_Stellenbosch
Didn't know a local brand was doing niacinamide this cheap — trying Fundamentals next repurchase.
2026/08/30
Bradley_EastRand
Good point about 5% being roughly where the research plateaus — never really questioned why brands push past that.
2026/08/30