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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 prominent skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and eye products built around key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. Both brands suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while providing targeted formulas for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. The Canadian brand, founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021, relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to reduce wrinkles, increase hydration, and boost collagen. Conversely, the British brand, founded in 2009 and acquired by L'Oréal Groupe in 2025, utilizes hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction effects differently.

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

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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 · A$283.59 · 97% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · A$192.91 · 96% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

Buy Medik8 routine · A$409.86 · 94% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · A$285.78 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · A$444.44 · 93% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · A$219.69 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Medik8: which is better?

Both brands offer great results, but The Ordinary is known for affordable value serums while Medik8 focuses on gentle, deeply hydrating formulas. The products on this page show that both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Medik8?

The Ordinary provides affordable skincare products with a focus on value and simple formulations, whereas Medik8 offers more luxurious options with higher price points. Reviewers note that Medik8 does better with hydration and brightening, while both brands offer equal routine fits for dry, sensitive, and mature skin.

The Ordinary or Medik8 for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Medik8 are a Superior fit for dry skin. The products on this page provide deep hydration and plumping for dry skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Medik8 offer great options, with The Ordinary focusing on gentle everyday cleansing and Medik8 excelling in targeted blemish care. The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser is a great fit for dry, sensitive, and oily skin on the products on this page, while Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Medik8?

The Ordinary offers better value and pricing on the products on this page compared to Medik8, where reviewers often mention a high price point.

How do the review themes and common complaints compare between The Ordinary and Medik8?

Medik8 performs better in gentle and non-irritating formulas, hydration, and brightening, while The Ordinary offers better value and pricing. Reviewers note that Medik8 has more complaints regarding high prices, packaging issues, and skin irritation compared to The Ordinary.

Which brand performs better for brightening and dark spots according to the review themes?

Medik8 performs better for brightening and dark spots according to the review themes.

What are the founding details, origin countries, and current parent companies of The Ordinary and Medik8?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Este Lauder Companies Inc. Medik8 was founded in the United Kingdom in 2009 and is owned by L'Oreal Groupe.

The Ordinary or Medik8 for oily skin?

Both brands offer a Superior routine fit for oily skin, but The Ordinary provides more affordable and great value serums on the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Medik8 offer great moisturizers, with The Ordinary providing better value and Medik8 delivering superior hydration and moisture. The Ordinary products on this page help improve skin quality and hydration using ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands offer gentle and non-irritating formulas, though Medik8 also features high prices.

The Ordinary or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page, while The Ordinary reaches a High level. Reviewers often mention Medik8 for a gentle and non-irritating formula, deep hydration and plumping, improved skin texture, and brightening and glow.

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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