Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10%: which should you buy?
Premium K-beauty brightening against the budget single-active icon: Medicube vs The Ordinary Niacinamide.
medicube medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Brightening Gold Jelly Gel
4.6(2,670) £10.00£16.90-41% Check price on Amazon →
The Ordinary The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Brightening
4.6(63,509) £4.00£5.00-20% Check price on Amazon →The short answer
Buy the Medicube brightening product if you want a fuller, nicer-textured formula.
Buy The Ordinary Niacinamide if you want the cheapest possible single-active for tone and oil.
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Side by side
| medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Brightening Gold | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £10.00£16.90-41% See on Amazon → | £4.00£5.00-20% See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6 | ★★★★★ 4.6 |
| Review count | 2,670 | 63,509 |
| Amazon best-seller rank | #2 in Face Treatments & Masks | #1 in Face Serums |
| Amazon purchases | 8K+ bought | 20K+ bought |
| Key active | kojic acid and turmeric | niacinamide |
| Format | mask | serum |
| Size | - | 30ml |
| Routine step | treat | treat |
| Best for | dullness | brightening |
| Sensitive-skin friendly | Contains actives, patch test | Listing flags no strong actives |
| Highlights |
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Our verdict
These sit at opposite ends of the market. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the ultra-budget, no-frills single active, brilliant value for oil control and tone, though the high 10% niacinamide can feel a bit much for some skin. Medicube's brightening products cost a little more but come as fuller formulas (vitamin C, kojic, supporting ingredients) in nicer textures. If you want the cheapest possible way to add niacinamide and you like a minimalist routine, The Ordinary is unbeatable value. If you want a more complete, pleasant-to-use brightening product and are happy to pay a bit more, Medicube. They also layer fine together.
Which one is for you?
- Buy the Medicube brightening product if you want a fuller, nicer-textured formula. Read our full look at the medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Brightening Gold →
- Buy The Ordinary Niacinamide if you want the cheapest possible single-active for tone and oil. See The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% on Amazon →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Brightening Gold and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
Premium K-beauty brightening against the budget single-active icon: Medicube vs The Ordinary Niacinamide.
Which is better, the medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Brightening Gold or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
Neither is simply better; it depends on your skin and goal. Buy the Medicube brightening product if you want a fuller, nicer-textured formula. Buy The Ordinary Niacinamide if you want the cheapest possible single-active for tone and oil.
Can I use the medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Brightening Gold and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% together?
Often yes. If they sit at different routine steps you can layer them lightest to heaviest, and if they do the same job you would usually pick one. Introduce new actives one at a time and patch test first.
Where these claims come from
- Star ratings and review counts: Amazon.co.uk's own figures for each listing, read on 2026-10-01.
- Prices and stock: read from each Amazon.co.uk listing, read on 2026-10-01.
- Best Sellers Rank and "bought in past month" badges: Amazon.co.uk's own figures, shown on the product page, read on 2026-10-01.
We have not tested either product. Everything above is read from the listings and the manufacturer, with the dates shown, plus our own reading of what the two are for. Ratings are Amazon customers' scores, not ours.
Amazon.co.uk figures, not ours: prices read on 2026-10-01; star ratings and review counts read on 2026-10-01. Prices and ratings change; these are dated snapshots.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in Brightening (Vita C & Kojic) or browse the whole range.