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The Ordinary vs Hada Labo

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

The Ordinary and Hada Labo are two distinct skincare lines offering targeted solutions for various complexions. The Ordinary features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry and dry sensitive skin best, with specific formulas addressing acne, dark spots, and aging. Meanwhile, Hada Labo provides valued toners, gentle makeup removers, and deeply hydrating moisturizers that cater broadly to dry, sensitive, oily, and combination skin types. While both brands harness powerful hydration ingredients to support healthy skin, they differ in their overarching formulations, geographic origins, and specialized product ranges.

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

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Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Hada Labo products

People Say

The OrdinaryHada Labo
  • Affordable value and great price Mostly MentionedSometimes 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%”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Deep hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Lightweight absorption and texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Fades dark spots and marks Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Clears and improves acne Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “Can feel tacky on the skin — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and clogging Rarely NotedOften 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”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Thick texture and issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Greasy in humidity — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both brands offer strong options depending on your goals, as The Ordinary stands out for affordability and acne-clearing serums, while Hada Labo excels in deep hydration and gentle formulations. The products on this page feature fragrance-free ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality and hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Hada Labo?

The Ordinary provides affordable options that help clear acne, while Hada Labo offers lightweight toners known for deep hydration. Both brands feature fragrance-free products on their respective pages.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers superior moisturizers for dry skin like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. Hada Labo provides deep hydration and moisturization through products like Gokujyun Perfect Gel.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering affordable value and great price compared to Hada Labo.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo is unlikely to cause breakouts compared to The Ordinary, as reviewers sometimes note breakouts and clogged pores with the products on this page for The Ordinary.

Between The Ordinary and Hada Labo, which brand is better for deep hydration and plumping according to reviewers?

Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and plumping according to reviewers. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do the founding years and owning companies of The Ordinary and Hada Labo compare?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., whereas Hada Labo was founded in Japan in 2004 and is owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Which brand performs better for clearing and improving acne based on review themes?

The Ordinary performs better for clearing and improving acne, as it is noted for its acne-clearing serums and targeting blemishes effectively.

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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