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The Ordinary vs Galderma

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

The Ordinary and Galderma are distinct skincare brands founded in Canada and Switzerland respectively, offering targeted formulations for different complexions. The Ordinary features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while Galderma specializes in serums. The Canadian brand suits dry and dry sensitive skin best, whereas the Swiss brand fits oily and oily acne-prone skin best. They differ primarily in their product ranges and foundational ingredients, with both providing specialized top-rated options for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Galderma products

People Say

The OrdinaryGalderma
  • Acne clearance and prevention Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
  • Value and pricing Mostly MentionedNot 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%”
  • Skin texture smoothing and improvement 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 — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Redness reduction and soothing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “no irritation at all — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “angry redness tones down — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Dark spots and scar fading Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “helped lighten post-acne scars — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “scars are fading — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy finish Often MentionedNot noted
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “Absorbs quickly — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
  • Dryness and peeling Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “incredibly drying — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “dried out skin — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Stinging, burning, and harshness Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “stings really bad upon application — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “burns upon application — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Breakouts and purging Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Bleaching of fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Pilling and texture issues Often MentionedNot noted
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Often MentionedNot noted
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs Galderma routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$192.91 · 96% fitBuy Galderma routine · A$217.98 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Galderma routines for oily skin

Buy Galderma routine · A$435.35 · 95% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · A$285.78 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Galderma routines for combination skin

Buy Galderma routine · A$378.83 · 92% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · A$219.69 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Galderma: which is better?

The Ordinary fits dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and sensitive skin best, while Galderma focuses well on oily acne-prone, oily, and acne-prone skin. Reviewers find that Galderma does better for acne clearance and prevention, whereas The Ordinary offers better value, texture smoothing, and lightweight finishes.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Galderma?

The Ordinary fits dry and sensitive skin best with affordable value-focused serums, while Galderma focuses on acne clearance for oily and acne-prone skin types. Reviewers note that Galderma provides effective acne treatments, whereas The Ordinary excels in texture smoothing and lightweight finishes.

The Ordinary or Galderma for dry skin?

The Ordinary fits dry skin better, reaching a Superior routine fit compared to Galderma's High fit on this page. The Ordinary products on this page provide extensive hydration options, while reviewers note that Galderma can cause severe dryness and peeling.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Galderma?

The Ordinary offers more affordable products and better value overall. Reviewers frequently note affordable and great value serums for the brand.

Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin, The Ordinary or Galderma?

The Ordinary performs better for dry sensitive skin, with Lovi rating its routine fit as Superior compared to Galderma's High.

How do The Ordinary and Galderma compare regarding skin texture smoothing and improvement?

The Ordinary does better than Galderma regarding skin texture smoothing and improvement. Reviewers often mention the products on this page from The Ordinary as texture-smoothing serums.

Which brand contains fragrance in its products according to the ingredient lists?

Neither brand contains fragrance in its products on this page, as every product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

The Ordinary or Galderma for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Galderma fit oily skin well, as Lovi rates their routines as Superior for this skin type. Reviewers note that Galderma does better for acne clearance and prevention, while The Ordinary offers better value and pricing.

The Ordinary or Galderma for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary fits sensitive skin better, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Galderma's Superior level, and Galderma's products on this page may cause severe irritation and discomfort.

The Ordinary or Galderma for acne-prone skin?

Galderma fits acne-prone skin better, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary's High fit.

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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