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The Ordinary vs Lancôme

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

The Ordinary and Lancôme are distinct skincare brands that offer diverse formulations for varying complexions. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, and cleansers on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, making it particularly well suited for dry and dry sensitive skin. Meanwhile, the French brand is thoughtfully loved for its nourishing moisturizers, eye products, and serums formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and adenosine, which suit sensitive and mature skin best. While both utilize powerful hydrating ingredients to improve barrier function and reduce wrinkles, they differ in their heritage, specific targeted solutions, and overall aesthetic approaches.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Lancôme is a French skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1964.

loreal.comen.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Lancôme products

People Say

The OrdinaryLancôme
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
    • “absorbs almost instantly — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “Skin feels cushiony soft — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives my skin an instant dewy glow — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
    • “keeps the skin soft and hydrated — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
    • “The product provides deep hydration and visible rejuvenation. — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • 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%”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Gentle Care for Sensitive Skin Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “No irritation at all — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “instantly soothed my skin — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Unique Textures and Finishes Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin is softer to touch — Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil”
    • “triple-chamber keeps ingredients fresh — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
    • “Bottle lasts forever — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Pilling and Application Issues Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “pilling like dead skin — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “left a tacky film on my face — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • General Formulation Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't notice much change in wrinkles — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
    • “Strong smell of alcohol — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
  • Skin Irritation and Sensitivity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused a breakout — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
    • “felt a burning sensation immediately — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
    • “burns my eyes — Lancôme Crème Radiance”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Lancôme routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $109.78 · 97% fitBuy Lancôme routine · $370.99 · 63% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Lancôme routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $207.87 · 93% fitBuy Lancôme routine · $659.39 · 67% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Lancôme routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $219.97 · 93% fitBuy Lancôme routine · $493.87 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Lancôme: which is better?

The Ordinary outperforms Lancôme across all skin types on the products on this page, achieving a Superior routine fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin. Reviewers highlight The Ordinary as more affordable and effective for acne, while Lancôme is more often cited for high prices and irritation.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Lancôme?

The Ordinary provides products on this page that are more affordable and better suited for acne-prone skin, while Lancôme excels in providing deep hydration and pleasant textures. Lovi fit for all main skin types is Superior with The Ordinary and Average with Lancôme. Additionally, niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Lancôme for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, offering Superior routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average fit for the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps improve hydration and skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Lancôme: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary is a better choice for cleansers on this page, offering options that fit dry and sensitive skin well with a fragrance-free formula.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Lancôme?

The Ordinary provides much more affordable options for serums and skincare products on this page, whereas Lancôme is noted for its high price point.

How do The Ordinary and Lancôme compare for mature skin?

For mature skin, The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas Lancome reaches an Average fit. The products on this page for The Ordinary offer affordable serums that help with texture-smoothing and dark-spot fading, while Lancome focuses on deep hydration and a pleasant scent.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, The Ordinary or Lancôme?

The products on this page for The Ordinary list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas 11 of the 14 Lancôme products on this page contain fragrance.

How do The Ordinary and Lancôme compare for fading dark spots?

The Ordinary is a better fit for fading dark spots, achieving a Superior overall routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average fit on this page. Ingredients like niacinamide help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Lancôme for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering Superior routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average routine fit. Furthermore, every product on The Ordinary's page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

The Ordinary or Lancôme: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that both brands offer effective moisturizers, but they cater to different preferences and needs. The Ordinary features options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA that provide superior fit levels for dry skin, whereas Lancôme focuses on deep hydration and offers pleasant scents, though many of its moisturizers include fragrance. Furthermore, The Ordinary provides budget-friendly value, while Lancôme is positioned at a much higher price point.

The Ordinary or Lancôme for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Lancôme's Average fit on this page. The products on this page for The Ordinary include multiple acne-clearing serums and a fragrance-free formula that helps avoid irritation.

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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