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The Ordinary vs Medik8

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

The Ordinary and Medik8 are distinct skincare brands founded respectively in Canada and Britain. The Canadian brand offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting sensitive and combination skin best. Conversely, the British brand provides serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners centered on hyaluronic acid, suiting dry and dry sensitive skin best. While both brands share a focus on targeted treatments, they differ in their foundational ingredients and regional heritage.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular The Ordinary and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The Ordinary vs Medik8 products

People Say

The OrdinaryMedik8
  • Texture and Pores Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
  • Texture and Absorption (Lightweight/Elegant) Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “Plumps skin with moisture — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and Pricing Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “better value than Skinceuticals — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Brightening and Dark Spots Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
  • Other Minor Complaints and Performance Issues Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
  • Pilling and Makeup Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Didn't mix well with my foundation — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Skin Irritation and Burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “stinging sensation — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “caused slight redness — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “Caused stinging and redness — Medik8 Press & Glow”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Medik8 routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · AED 1,017.94 · 95% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · AED 542.90 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 833.82 · 91% fitBuy Medik8 routine · AED 1,453.26 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 712.46 · 92% fitBuy Medik8 routine · AED 1,409.08 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Medik8: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, but The Ordinary offers better value, while Medik8 provides superior hydration and soothing benefits. For dry skin specifically, Lovi rates Medik8 as Superior and The Ordinary as High.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Medik8?

The Ordinary provides products on this page that are more affordable, whereas Medik8 focuses on hydration and moisture. The Ordinary fits best for sensitive skin, combination skin, and skin with dark spots, while Medik8 fits best for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or Medik8 for dry skin?

Medik8 is better suited for dry skin, as the routine fit on this page is Superior compared to High for The Ordinary. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration, while formulas like Hydr8 B5 Intense help improve moisture levels.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page for The Ordinary and Medik8 both include cleansers, but reviewers find that Medik8 delivers better overall results for hydration and gentle formulas while The Ordinary offers better value.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Medik8?

The Ordinary offers better value, as reviewers note the products on this page are affordable and provide great value. In contrast, reviewers frequently mention the high price point of Medik8.

The Ordinary or Medik8 for dark spots?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dark spots, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Medik8's High. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand has more fragrance-free products?

The Ordinary has more fragrance-free products on this page than Medik8, because every single product from The Ordinary lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas one Medik8 product includes fragrance.

The Ordinary or Medik8 for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary offers a Superior routine fit while Medik8 provides a High fit. Reviewers note that The Ordinary delivers better value and pricing across the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 provides better hydration and moisture overall, while the products on this page from The Ordinary offer superior value and pricing. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Medik8 achieve a Superior routine fit level for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that products from both brands tend to be gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas The Ordinary offers a High fit. Reviewers frequently note that Medik8 products help deliver a gentle and non-irritating experience.

The Ordinary or Medik8 for mature skin?

The Ordinary is superior for mature skin, while Medik8 has a high routine fit. The products on this page help improve signs of aging and support skin hydration.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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