Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum — a K-beauty alternative to The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Looking for a Korean alternative to The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%? Oil-control & pore-refining serum
The K-beauty alternative
≈ High-dose niacinamide for tone & oil balance — Both are concentrated niacinamide serums for the look of pores, oil balance and even tone. Anua's adds tranexamic acid and a more cushioned texture — a step-up alternative rather than a pure price dupe (note: here you pay slightly more for added actives).
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6–$12) vs the Korean pick — similar hero ingredients, a fraction of the price.
Explore more K-beauty guides →🙋 People also ask
What is the difference between essence and serum?
In Korean skincare, essence is typically a thinner, hydration-focused layer that preps skin, while serum is more concentrated with targeted actives like vitamin C or niacinamide. Essence usually comes first; serum follows. The line between them blurs, and not every routine needs both.
What does niacinamide do?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 widely used in Korean skincare to help brighten the look of dullness, refine the appearance of pores and support the skin barrier. It's gentle, well tolerated by most skin types and pairs easily with many other ingredients.
Can you use vitamin C and niacinamide together?
Yes, current understanding is that vitamin C and niacinamide can be used together safely, and many Korean formulas combine them. The old warning that they cancel out is largely outdated. If your skin is sensitive, you can still apply them at different times of day to be cautious.
What is the difference between essence, serum and ampoule?
Essence is the lightest and most hydration-focused, serum is more concentrated and targeted, and ampoule is the most concentrated of the three. The boundaries are marketing convention, not regulated definitions.
✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-10.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.