The Ordinary
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Low risk75/100
The Ordinary
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Some ingredients carry a low-risk flag. Read the formulation context before deciding.
11 of 11 ingredients rated
Is it suitable during pregnancy?
MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% as Low risk (76/100). Review the ingredient context and any manual-review explanation before deciding.
Why this rating?
The recorded formula includes 1 ingredient entry with a risk flag: Phenoxyethanol (Low risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail.
11 of 11 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
How we assess productsIngredient breakdown
The recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.
Ingredient ratings and evidence
Higher-risk flags first. Open an ingredient for evidence.
Phenoxyethanol
Low risk
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative permitted in EU cosmetics up to 1.0%. The SCCS concluded it is safe for cosmetic use at that level, including when considering higher cosmetic exposure scenarios in infants and young children. Main practical concern is irritation/stinging on very sensitive or compromised skin rather than a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific risk.
Sources: SCCS/1575/16: Phenoxyethanol opinion https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/phenoxyethanol_en
Water
No known risks
Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.
Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en
Niacinamide
No known risks
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is widely used for barrier support and tone/texture benefits, and is generally considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding when used topically at cosmetic concentrations.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Pentylene Glycol
No known risks
Humectant and preservative booster. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Zinc PCA
No known risks
A zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid used for skin conditioning, oil-control and antimicrobial support. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that the assessed zinc salts are safe in current cosmetic practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating. Zinc is an essential nutrient, but this entry assesses the low topical exposure from a finished cosmetic rather than supplements or medicinal doses. No pregnancy-specific topical concern was identified.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/safety-assessment-zinc-salts-used-cosmetics-1; CIR 146th Expert Panel Meeting final report record https://www.cir-safety.org/meeting/146th-cir-expert-panel-meeting
Show all 11 ingredients
Dimethyl Isosorbide
No known risks
A solvent or preservative-support ingredient used to dissolve actives and stabilise a formula. No reproductive or pregnancy-specific signal was identified for the low concentrations used in finished topical cosmetics. Solvents can still increase local irritation or the delivery of other formula ingredients.
Sources: European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory; European Chemicals Agency substance information; published dermal and cosmetic-use data for dimethyl isosorbide, phenylpropanol and benzyl glycol.
Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
No known risks
tamarindus indica seed gum is a cosmetic formulation, mineral, sugar-derived or organic-acid ingredient. Available identity, use and related safety evidence did not identify a pregnancy-specific concern for normal topical cosmetic exposure. Cosmetic-grade purity and ordinary irritation precautions remain applicable.
Sources: CIR ingredient and related-family safety assessments; CIR Quick Reference Table https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/quick-reference-table-december-2025; European Commission CosIng
Xanthan Gum
No known risks
Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework
Isoceteth-20
No known risks
isoceteth-20 is used as a cosmetic surfactant, emulsifier or conditioning agent. Relevant cosmetic-safety assessments support use when formulated to be non-irritating and with appropriate impurity controls. Local skin or eye irritation is possible at higher concentrations, but no pregnancy-specific concern was identified for normal topical or rinse-off use.
Sources: CIR safety assessments of alkyl PEG ethers, N-acyl taurates, fatty amidopropyl amines and related cosmetic surfactants https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/taurat122015FR.pdf; CIR Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf
Ethoxydiglycol
No known risks
A glycol ether used as a cosmetic solvent and delivery aid. Cosmetic safety reviewers concluded that ethoxydiglycol is safe as used in cosmetics, with low toxicity in the reviewed exposure data. It is distinct from ethoxyethanol, which has a different and less favourable safety assessment.
Sources: CIR: Final Report on Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol and Dipropylene Glycol; CIR Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/qrt-r.pdf
Chlorphenesin
No known risks
Preservative used to help protect formulas from microbial growth. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support present cosmetic use; no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical concern was identified in the material reviewed, although some users may still notice local irritation or sensitivity.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Chlorphenesin as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Full recorded ingredient list
Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.
Questions about this assessment
Why does The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% have a Low risk rating?
The recorded formula includes 1 ingredient entry with a risk flag: Phenoxyethanol (Low risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail. The product score is a stored assessment, not a clinical safety guarantee.
Does the niacinamide rating cover every ingredient in this product?
No. Niacinamide appears in the recorded formula, but its individual rating applies to that ingredient, not automatically to the whole product. Check the other ingredient ratings, any grey Not assessed entries and the stored product assessment. A niacinamide percentage or a product name is not a substitute for checking the full list.
Has every ingredient in The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% been assessed?
11 of 11 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
Does this assessment apply to my The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.
Does this pregnancy assessment also establish breastfeeding suitability?
No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.
