🇨🇦Canada

The Ordinary vs Neutrogena

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

The Ordinary and Neutrogena are trusted skincare brands that offer serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more. The Canadian brand centers its formulations on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, making it ideally suited for dry and dry sensitive skin, whereas the American brand relies on glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to best serve mature and combination skin. While both share a dedication to nourishing active ingredients, they differ significantly in their origins, specific target profiles, and distinct approaches to treating acne, dark spots, and aging.

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

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Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Neutrogena products

People Say

The OrdinaryNeutrogena
  • Improves Skin Texture and Pores Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Quenches dry skin instantly — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value for Money 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%”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Friendly Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “calms my acne prone skin — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Clears Acne and Blemishes 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”
  • Skin Irritation and Stinging Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Made my face very red — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Burning sensation — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “stings my eyes badly — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Packaging and Quantity Concerns Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “The 50ml tube runs out way too fast. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Wish it came in a pump — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Eye holes are too small — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
  • Pilling and Makeup Application Issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “balls up under foundation — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Left a tacky feeling on my skin. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs Neutrogena routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · CA$155.67 · 97% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$95.37 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Neutrogena routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · CA$198.33 · 92% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$269.33 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Neutrogena routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · CA$187.44 · 93% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$222.43 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Neutrogena: which is better?

The Ordinary offers better value for money and superior fit levels across most skin types, including sensitive and dry sensitive skin. Neutrogena is well-regarded for its deeply hydrating and lightweight moisturizers, though some users note skin irritation and strong fragrances.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Neutrogena?

The Ordinary offers better value for money and clears acne more effectively, while Neutrogena provides superior deep hydration and lightweight textures. The products on this page from The Ordinary also fit sensitive and dry sensitive skin at a Superior level, compared to Neutrogena's Average level for those skin types.

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Neutrogena's High level. The products on this page for The Ordinary offer deep hydration and feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Neutrogena: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page show that both brands offer cleansers with high fit levels, but Neutrogena's Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser achieves a superior Lovi fit level for mature and acne-prone skin. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration across the cleansing range.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Neutrogena?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as affordable and great value serums are often mentioned by reviewers for the products on this page.

Which brand has fewer fragrance concerns in its products?

The Ordinary has fewer fragrance concerns because every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Neutrogena includes fragrance in some of its formulas.

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for fading dark spots?

The Ordinary is superior for fading dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for oily skin, whereas Neutrogena has a High fit on this page. Niacinamide helps regulate oil production, and hyaluronic acid helps maintain hydration without adding grease.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or Neutrogena: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Neutrogena excels at deep hydration and lightweight textures, while The Ordinary offers products like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA that provide superior fit levels for dry and dry sensitive skin on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin in formulations from both brands.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Neutrogena's Average fit level. Additionally, the products on this page for The Ordinary list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Neutrogena have a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. The Ordinary offers affordable, acne-clearing serums that help manage blemishes, while Neutrogena provides deeply hydrating, acne-safe moisturizers.

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for mature skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for mature skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Neutrogena's High fit level. The products on this page for mature skin benefit from key ingredients like retinol, which helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

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

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