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The Ordinary vs Dermalogica

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

The Ordinary and Dermalogica are distinct skincare brands that offer serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and more. The Canadian brand best suits dry and dry sensitive skin with formulations built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the American brand best suits oily and oily acne-prone skin using powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid. These ranges differ primarily in their ingredient profiles and target skin types, delivering dedicated care for individual complexions.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Dermalogica products

People Say

The OrdinaryDermalogica
  • 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%”
    • “little goes a long way — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin texture smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “skin looks smoother and brighter — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “Sinks in beautifully — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Acne clearing and blemish control Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “faded dark spots — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Stinging and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “burns immediately — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “caused severe peeling — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Prickle sensation — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Breakouts and skin reactions Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “gave me cystic acne — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Cystic acne flare-ups — Dermalogica Precleanse”

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$192.91 · 96% fitBuy Dermalogica routine · A$1,045.67 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$285.78 · 92% fitBuy Dermalogica routine · A$1,135.66 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$219.69 · 91% fitBuy Dermalogica routine · A$1,096.95 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which is better?

The Ordinary offers better value and pricing for the products on this page, while Dermalogica is better for intense hydration and soothing moisturizers. Routine fit for dry skin is Superior for The Ordinary and High for Dermalogica.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Dermalogica?

The Ordinary focuses on targeted, affordable ingredients with routines that Lovi rates as Superior for dry, sensitive, and several other skin types. Meanwhile, Dermalogica emphasizes intense hydration and soothing formulations with routines that Lovi rates as Superior specifically for oily acne-prone skin.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Dermalogica's High. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and moisture retention for dry skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page from The Ordinary offer better value and pricing for cleansers. Reviewers note that Dermalogica cleansers provide gentle, non-stripping cleansing.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary offers better value and pricing among the products on this page compared to Dermalogica.

Which brand is better for fading dark spots, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary is better for fading dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a superior routine fit for skin with dark spots compared to Dermalogica's high fit. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand performs better for mature skin, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary performs better for mature skin on the products on this page, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Dermalogica's High fit level. Reviewers often mention its texture-smoothing serums, and ingredients like retinol help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

How do the key ingredients of The Ordinary and Dermalogica compare?

The key ingredients of The Ordinary and Dermalogica both feature hyaluronic acid and glycerin across their products on this page. However, Dermalogica also features salicylic acid, oat, vitamin E, and lactic acid as key ingredients.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for oily skin?

The Ordinary is better suited for oily skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Dermalogica's High fit on this page.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer effective moisturizers, with The Ordinary focusing on value and active ingredients and Dermalogica emphasizing intensive hydration. The products on this page for The Ordinary include options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, while Dermalogica features choices like Intensive Moisture Balance.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, whereas Dermalogica has a High routine fit. Reviewers say that The Ordinary does better for value and pricing as well as skin texture smoothing, while Dermalogica is noted for being gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer products on this page that fit acne-prone skin well, with routine fits rated High for both brands. Reviewers note that The Ordinary stands out for acne clearing and blemish control.

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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