Is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated September 9, 2026
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% receives a C+ grade, making it a caution rated rather than an avoid rated choice during pregnancy. Niacinamide and topical zinc are generally compatible with ordinary cosmetic use; the caution comes from phenoxyethanol's limited direct pregnancy evidence, not demonstrated harm from normal facial use.
You can use this, but maybe don't make it your everyday go to. Not the end of the world if you've used it. Consult your OBGYN or midwife if you have concerns.
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What Ingredients Are in The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has 11 ingredients. We flagged 1 ingredient to use with caution.
CAUTION
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products to prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life. Phenoxyethanol warrants caution because direct pregnancy data are limited, although regulated cosmetic concentrations are generally considered low systemic risk and nipple area ingestion is a separate breastfeeding concern.
SAFE
Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient known for its ability to improve skin elasticity, enhance the barrier function, and reduce the appearance of blemishes and uneven skin tone. Niacinamide is generally considered safe for normal topical cosmetic use during pregnancy, unlike the separate exposure from high dose oral supplements.
zinc pca
SAFE
Zinc PCA is a skin friendly ingredient that helps regulate oil production and has antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial for acne prone and oily skin. Topical zinc is considered compatible with pregnancy at ordinary cosmetic concentrations, but evidence for zinc PCA is partly indirect and does not cover broken skin or large area use.
aqua
SAFE
Aqua is the scientific term for water, commonly used as a solvent and base ingredient in various cosmetic and skincare products. Water is the serum's solvent base and is unflagged, but that alone does not establish the finished formula's pregnancy safety.
chlorphenesin
SAFE
Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative and muscle relaxant commonly used in cosmetics and topical products to inhibit microbial growth. Chlorphenesin is unflagged here, while the cited nursing warning involved a nipple cream containing it with phenoxyethanol and does not establish harm from ordinary facial use during pregnancy.
dimethyl isosorbide
SAFE
Dimethyl isosorbide is a colorless, water miscible solvent commonly used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to enhance the delivery and absorption of active ingredients. This delivery enhancing solvent is unflagged, but no ingredient specific pregnancy assessment is available here for topical use.
ethoxydiglycol
SAFE
Ethoxydiglycol is a clear, colorless, and odorless solvent commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products to enhance ingredient delivery and improve texture. This cosmetic solvent is unflagged, but its presence without a flag is not confirmation of pregnancy safety for topical exposure.
isoceteth 20
SAFE
Isoceteth 20 is unflagged, with no ingredient specific evidence here establishing safety during topical use in pregnancy.
pentylene glycol
SAFE
Pentylene glycol is a versatile, water soluble humectant and solvent commonly used in skincare and cosmetic formulations to hydrate the skin and enhance product stability. This humectant and solvent is unflagged, but no ingredient specific pregnancy evidence is available here for topical use.
tamarindus indica seed gum
SAFE
Tamarindus indica seed gum is unflagged, which does not independently establish pregnancy safety for topical exposure.
xanthan gum
SAFE
Xanthan gum is a natural thickening and stabilizing agent derived from fermented sugars, commonly used in gluten free baking and food processing. Xanthan gum is unflagged, but its use in food does not establish pregnancy safety for this topical formulation.
Answering Your Questions
How much The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is safe during pregnancy?
If you choose to use it, apply only enough for a thin layer on intact facial skin, following your package directions. This assessment does not cover generous application over large areas or use on broken skin, and no pregnancy specific maximum amount has been established.
Can you use The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% daily while pregnant?
Follow your package's frequency instructions rather than increasing applications for faster results. Reduce use or stop if irritation develops; using it less often is not a proven pregnancy safety threshold.
Why did this serum receive a C+ grade?
The C+ comes from ingredient based scoring, with phenoxyethanol as the flagged caution ingredient. Direct pregnancy evidence is limited, although safety reviews consider regulated cosmetic concentrations acceptable. The grade is not a measured probability of harm, and unflagged ingredients are not automatically proven safe.
Is 10% niacinamide safe to use during pregnancy?
Topical niacinamide is generally considered safe for normal cosmetic use during pregnancy, although pregnancy specific trials are limited. That does not establish this exact 10% serum as clinically tested in pregnancy, and high dose oral vitamin B3 supplements are a separate exposure.
Is the zinc in this serum a pregnancy concern?
Zinc PCA is assessed as compatible with ordinary topical cosmetic use. The supporting evidence is partly indirect, drawing on other zinc salts and dermal absorption studies rather than direct pregnancy studies of this serum; it does not cover broken skin, large area application, or high concentration preparations.
Can I use this serum every day while pregnant?
The C+ assessment does not establish a pregnancy specific daily use limit or require complete avoidance. If you choose daily use, follow your package directions on intact facial skin and stop if irritation occurs; ask your clinician if you want guidance on continued use.
Can I use it while breastfeeding?
Facial application is a different exposure from applying a product where your baby could swallow it. Do not apply this serum to nipples or the breast area where your baby feeds, and prevent direct contact with treated skin: the phenoxyethanol warning involving chlorphenesin concerned infant oral exposure from a nipple cream, not ordinary facial use.
What alternative should I look for during pregnancy?
If you prefer to avoid the ingredient driving this grade, look for a niacinamide product without phenoxyethanol and have its complete formula assessed. A basic moisturizer may also suit you if barrier support is your main goal; removing one ingredient alone does not establish a product's pregnancy safety.
What Are Pregnancy Safe Alternatives to The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
Here are some solid alternatives. Everything below has an A or B grade, meaning no flagged ingredients in our database.
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| B+ | True Belly Serum | 8 Sheep Organics | serum |
| B+ | Byoma Hydrating Serum | Byoma | serum |
| A | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | The Ordinary | serum |
| A | E.L.F. Skin Holy Hydration Thirst Burst Drops Serum | E.L.F. Skin | serum |
Are Other The Ordinary Products Safe During Pregnancy?
We looked at 12 other The Ordinary products. 5 are pregnancy safe (A or B grade), while 7 need a closer look.
| Grade | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| C | The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Hyaluronic Acid Daily Moisturizer | moisturizer |
| C+ | The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 with Ceramides 60ml | serum |
| A | 100% Plant-Derived Squalane | face oil |
| A | Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% In Vitamin F | serum |
How Does The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Compare to Other Serums?
We graded 1,128 Serums for pregnancy safety. Here's how they stack up:
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% earns a C+ grade, placing it among the majority of Serums. Only 3% of products in this category get an A grade, so it pays to choose carefully.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains an ingredient Pregnancy Safe recommends avoiding during pregnancy. This may reflect an established risk or a precaution based on limited evidence; check the ingredient guidance and exposure context.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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References
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- https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/details/28157
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3109/10915819009078737
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00204-024-03938-5
- https://www.sfda.gov.sa/en/warnings/1156
- https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/sites/default/files/Ethanol%2C%202-phenoxy-_Human%20health%20tier%20II%20assessment.pdf
- https://hero.epa.gov/reference/2857875
- https://books.publisso.de/sites/default/files/documents/series/mak/dam/Vol2019/Iss1/Alt006/mb12299kske6319_w.pdf
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41944999/
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- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16596767/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/resources-consumers-cosmetics/cosmetics-pregnancy
- https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/pregnancy-skin-care
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25399625/
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10915818241227124
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8896117/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK600535/
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32026R0909
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/