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The Ordinary vs CeraVe

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

The Ordinary and CeraVe are accessible skin care brands offering diverse daily formulas built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Ordinary features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners suited best for dry and dry sensitive skin, while its counterpart is celebrated for dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and protective sunscreens that favor mature and dry skin. Both utilize ingredients like hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction duration and glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and barrier function. Ultimately, they differ in their specific product lineups and founding origins, yet each delivers proven results for targeted concerns such as 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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CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

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

Popular The Ordinary vs CeraVe products

People Say

The OrdinaryCeraVe
  • Gentle and safe for sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “no redness after washing — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Great value and affordable price Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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%”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • 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 looks smoother and brighter — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Clears acne and fades dark spots Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin irritation, stinging, and burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Face feels like it's on fire — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Sticky or heavy residue finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “left a sticky film — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Pilling and makeup application struggles Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “pills and rolls — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $109.78 · 97% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $120.97 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $207.87 · 93% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $219.97 · 93% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better?

Both brands are great, but The Ordinary is often favored for targeted serums and clearing acne, while CeraVe is praised for deep hydration and gentle care. Reviewers also note that the products on this page by The Ordinary offer great value and smooth skin texture.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

The Ordinary and CeraVe both offer fragrance-free skincare products, but The Ordinary has a superior routine fit for most skin types including dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides great value and affordable serums that improve skin texture and clear acne, while CeraVe is praised for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and deep hydration.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe are great options, as the products on this page show a superior routine fit for dry skin. CeraVe offers ceramides that help restore the skin barrier, while The Ordinary features hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid that may help lock in moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer excellent cleansers, with the products on this page featuring gentle, non-stripping options and affordable prices. CeraVe stands out for soothing sensitive skin, while The Ordinary excels in deep hydration and improving skin texture.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers better affordability as reviewers often praise its great value and affordable price.

Which brand is better for improving skin texture and smoothness, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary does better for improving skin texture and smoothness, with texture-smoothing serums that reviewers often mention. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which brand is safer and more gentle for sensitive skin, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

CeraVe is noted as being better for sensitive skin, offering gentle and safe options with every product on this page listing no fragrance.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine compared to CeraVe's High routine level.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer excellent moisturizers, with The Ordinary achieving a Superior routine fit for dry skin and CeraVe delivering Superior dry skin hydration and deep moisture. The Ordinary products on this page help improve skin texture and moisture with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while CeraVe moisturizers help repair the skin barrier using ceramides.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or CeraVe for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer great options for sensitive skin, but the products on this page show that The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit while CeraVe reaches a High level. CeraVe is often praised by reviewers for being gentle and safe for sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands work well, but The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit compared to CeraVe's High fit level. The Ordinary products on this page are often noted for clearing acne and fading dark spots.

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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