🇨🇦Canada

The Ordinary vs Pixi

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

The Ordinary and Pixi are popular skincare lines offering targeted daily support for a healthy, radiant complexion. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the British brand is beloved for a thoughtful range of toners, serums, eye products, and moisturizers formulated with efficacious ingredients. Both lines suit dry skin best, though the former also fits dry sensitive skin and the latter fits oily skin. They differ in their specific standouts for concerns like acne, dark spots, and mature skin, as well as their foundational active ingredients and country of origin.

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

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Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.

pixibeauty.comtracxn.compitchbook.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Pixi products

People Say

The OrdinaryPixi
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “deeply hydrates and balances — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “leaves under-eyes super soft — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Skin feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • Great 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%”
  • Instant glow and radiance Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “healthy radiance — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “tight, bright and shiny — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs fairly quickly into the skin. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
    • “unique gel-like texture — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “absorbs really fast — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Redness reduction and soothing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “deflates morning bags — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “instantly cooling upon application — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
  • Sticky or tacky finish and residue Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “too greasy — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “slightly tacky to touch — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
  • Unpleasant or strong 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”
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • Skin stinging, burning, and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Massive burning sensation — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “burned my face — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Not for those with super-sensitive skin — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Makeup pilling and compatibility issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “separates foundation — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “It doesn't work with my makeup at all. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · CA$155.67 · 97% fitBuy Pixi routine · CA$295.17 · 94% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for oily skin

Buy Pixi routine · CA$264.28 · 94% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · CA$198.33 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · CA$187.44 · 93% fitBuy Pixi routine · CA$228.28 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Pixi: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi are great choices, as both brands achieve superior routine fit levels for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, and dark spot skin types. The Ordinary offers better affordability and great value serums, whereas Pixi delivers deeper hydration and instant radiance.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Pixi?

Pixi generally offers better hydration, instant glow, and lightweight absorption, whereas The Ordinary provides much better value and pricing. Both brands perform equally well for most skin types, though Pixi holds a superior fit for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin.

The Ordinary or Pixi for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free products on the products on this page, while Pixi delivers deep hydration and radiance.

The Ordinary or Pixi: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer great moisturizer options with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality. The Ordinary provides superior hydration for dry skin with options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, while Pixi also delivers deep hydration and radiance through products like their Rose Oil Blend.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Pixi?

The Ordinary offers better value, as reviewers on the page frequently praise its serums for being affordable and great value.

How do The Ordinary and Pixi compare for treating skin with dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer excellent options for skin with dark spots, with routine fit levels rated as Superior for both brands. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and pigmentation transfer, making it a key ingredient found in products from both brands.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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

Both The Ordinary and Pixi perform equally well for mature skin, with both brands achieving a Superior routine fit level. Reviewers often mention Pixi for deep hydration and radiance, while The Ordinary is praised for its affordable serums.

What are the main differences in fragrance between The Ordinary and Pixi products?

The products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance in their ingredients. In contrast, Pixi includes fragrance in 7 of its 10 products on this page.

The Ordinary or Pixi for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for oily skin based on the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration, and topical sodium hyaluronate is beneficial for skin quality.

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

The Ordinary or Pixi for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer an equal routine fit level of Superior for sensitive skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas across all products on this page, while Pixi provides gentle and soothing toners.

The Ordinary or Pixi for acne-prone skin?

Pixi is the better choice for acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary's High fit level. The products on this page help provide deep hydration and a glowing finish, though users may occasionally experience skin stinging or a sticky residue.

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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