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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 distinct skincare lines, with the Canadian brand offering targeted serums and moisturizers centered on active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Japanese brand is deeply loved for its hydrating toners and nourishing moisturizers driven by advanced science. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the former also fits dry sensitive skin and offers specialized options for acne-prone, dark-spot, and mature concerns, whereas the latter expertly restores moisture for dry and acne-prone skin without clogging pores. Ultimately, they differ through their formulation approaches, as the former relies on single-ingredient transparency to address specific skin needs, while its counterpart delivers harmonious hydration to support a healthy skin barrier.

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”

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $158.72 · 99% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · $109.78 · 97% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $332.14 · 95% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · $207.87 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · $313.73 · 94% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · $219.97 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo are great choices since Lovi rates their routines as equally fitting across almost all skin types. The Ordinary offers a wider range of targeted treatments for acne and dark spots, while Hada Labo focuses on deep hydration and lightweight toners.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Hada Labo?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide fragrance-free skincare, but The Ordinary is known for affordable targeted serums while Hada Labo specializes in deeply hydrating toners. Lovi rates both brands as a superior fit for dry, oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo are great for dry skin, and Lovi rates their routines as equally Superior for this skin type. The Ordinary features nourishing items like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, while Hada Labo offers deeply hydrating options such as Gokujyun Lotion.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide superior routine fit for dry skin with their moisturizers on this page. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration, though Hada Labo is often noted for deep moisturization while The Ordinary offers great value.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

The Ordinary offers better affordable value and great price for the products on this page compared to Hada Labo.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for fading dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo are a great match for fading dark spots, as Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots. Reviewers report that both brands do equally well at brightening and reducing dark spots.

Which brand is more gentle and non-irritating, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo does better for being gentle and non-irritating, as reviewers often mention its gentle and fragrance-free formulations. Lovi finds that both brands offer fragrance-free products on the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo fit acne-prone skin at a Superior routine level. The products on this page help clear and improve acne for The Ordinary, while Hada Labo provides deep hydration with lightweight and fast-absorbing toners.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for oily acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo fit oily acne-prone skin well, but Lovi rates Hada Labo slightly higher with a Superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary's High fit. The Ordinary helps clear acne with targeted serums, while Hada Labo provides deep hydration and moisturization.

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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