The Ordinary vs KORRES
The Ordinary and KORRES are two distinct skincare lines tailored to different daily routines. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners around science-led ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the other draws on a rich heritage for its gentle moisturizers and cleansers. Both selections suit dry and sensitive skin best, though they differ in their targeted offerings, ranging from acid-focused treatments for specific concerns to antioxidant-infused Greek formulations.
The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.
This page compares some of the most popular The Ordinary and KORRES products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular The Ordinary vs KORRES products
People Say
Great value and affordability 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%”
Skin texture smoothing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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%”
- “skin feels baby soft — KORRES Santorini Grape Poreless Skin Cream”
Lightweight absorption and texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — KORRES Santorini Grape Poreless Skin Cream”
- “rich... without being greasy — KORRES Bounce Firming Moisturizer”
- “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
Gentle and non-irritating Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
- “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
- “No irritation at all — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
- “leaves face soft and smooth — KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser”
Creamy and rich texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “feels like velvet — KORRES Velvet Skin Drink”
- “Luxurious foam — KORRES Foaming Cream Cleanser”
- “creamy and luxurious feel — KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser”
Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “saved my dry skin — KORRES Velvet Skin Drink”
- “extremely moisturizing — KORRES Bounce Firming Moisturizer”
- “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
Unique or small packaging and sizes Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “The 50ml tube runs out way too fast. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
- “Annoying that you have to rub it in hands for 10-20 seconds first. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
- “Wish it came in a pump — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
- “Needs a pump — KORRES Foaming Cream Cleanser”
Makeup application and pilling issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “pills under makeup — KORRES Velvet Skin Drink”
- “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
Unpleasant or polarizing scent Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “smells like babies — KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser”
The Ordinary vs KORRES routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$12.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$12.50
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Lactic Acid 5% + HA
Evening · Once a week
$8.10
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
-
Cleanser
Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$48.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy The Ordinary routine · $109.78 · 97% fit
Buy KORRES routine · $185.68 · 96% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
The Ordinary vs KORRES routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$48.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
-
Cleanser
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$12.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$12.50
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
$13.50
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
$6.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Once a week
$13.80
Buy KORRES routine · $362.98 · 94% fit
Buy The Ordinary routine · $207.87 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
The Ordinary vs KORRES routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$48.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
$39.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$12.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$12.50
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
$13.50
-
Serum or Treatment
Lactic Acid 5% + HA
Evening · Once a week
$8.10
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Once a week
$13.80
Buy KORRES routine · $342.46 · 94% fit
Buy The Ordinary routine · $219.97 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
The Ordinary or KORRES: which is better?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES are equal in routine fit across all skin types, but shoppers looking for fragrance-free formulas and great value will prefer The Ordinary. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas all KORRES products on this page include fragrance.
What is the difference between The Ordinary and KORRES?
The Ordinary offers a much larger selection of fragrance-free serums and treatments with high affordability, whereas KORRES focuses on hydrating and velvety moisturizers and cleansers that contain fragrance. Reviewers note that The Ordinary delivers better value and skin texture smoothing, while KORRES is praised for creamy textures and lightweight absorption.
The Ordinary or KORRES for dry skin?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin on this page. Reviewers frequently praise The Ordinary for great value and gentle formulas, while KORRES is often noted for hydrating and velvety moisturizers.
The Ordinary or KORRES: which cleanser is better?
The Ordinary offers a better cleanser range overall with strong reviews for value and gentle formulas, while every cleanser on the KORRES page includes fragrance.
Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or KORRES?
The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers often mention great value and affordability as a key benefit of the products on this page.
Which brand has more products that are free of artificial fragrance?
The Ordinary is the better choice for fragrance-free skincare because every single product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas zero out of five KORRES products are fragrance-free.
How do the founding years and corporate ownership of The Ordinary and KORRES compare?
The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. KORRES was founded in 1996 and is owned by Halcyon Equity Partners and Giorgos Korres.
Which brand performs better when it comes to skin texture smoothing according to reviewers?
The Ordinary performs better when it comes to skin texture smoothing according to reviewers, offering affordable and gentle texture-smoothing serums. However, every product on this page from The Ordinary lists no fragrance in its ingredients, unlike KORRES where all listed products contain fragrance.
The Ordinary or KORRES for oily skin?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES achieve a Superior routine fit for oily skin. The Ordinary offers products on this page with no fragrance added, whereas every KORRES product on this page includes fragrance.
The Ordinary or KORRES: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer great moisturizers, but the products on this page show that The Ordinary focuses on fragrance-free formulas that fit dry and sensitive skin very well, while KORRES focuses on lightweight and hydrating textures that reviewers frequently praise. Lovi gives both brands an equal superior routine fit for dry skin.
The Ordinary or KORRES for sensitive skin?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES achieve a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin on this page, but The Ordinary has no fragrance across its products compared to KORRES.
The Ordinary or KORRES for acne-prone skin?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES achieve a Superior routine fit level for acne-prone skin on Lovi. The Ordinary stands out with products on this page listing no fragrance, whereas every KORRES product on this page includes fragrance in its ingredients.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Lycopene and Melatonin: Antioxidant Compounds in Cosmetic Formulations
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Topical lycopene emulgel significantly improves biophysical parameters of human skin
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
A bioactive complex to protect proteins from UV-induced oxidation in human epidermis
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Natural Moisturizing Factor-Enriched Formulations Compared to a Ceramide-Based Cream
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Effects of a Greek Yoghurt-based Complex on the Human Facial Skin Microbiome
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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