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The Ordinary vs Simple

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

The Ordinary and Simple are distinct skincare brands founded in Canada in 2016 and Britain in 1960, respectively. The Canadian brand offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the British brand provides gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin. The former brand fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, whereas the latter suits acne-prone skin and oily skin best because of these carefully balanced, skin-loving formulations. Both differ significantly in their targeted skin types, ingredient profiles, and specific product recommendations for concerns like dark spots, acne, and aging.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Simple products

People Say

The OrdinarySimple
  • Great value and affordability 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%”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Good for sensitive skin Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “cleared up my dry patches — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Clears acne and blemishes 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”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often MentionedNot 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%”
  • Breakouts and purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “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 on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Insufficient moisture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Struggles with waterproof makeup Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “leaves a tacky film — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $109.78 · 97% fitBuy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $207.87 · 93% fitBuy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $219.97 · 93% fitBuy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Simple: which is better?

The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for most skin types on this page, while Simple has a High fit. The products on this page help with concerns like acne and dark spots through ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Simple?

The Ordinary is a Canadian brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., while Simple is a UK brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC. Lovi rates routine fit for dry skin as Superior for The Ordinary and High for Simple.

The Ordinary or Simple for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas Simple is a High fit. The products on this page for The Ordinary include key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve hydration and skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary is a better fit for cleansers on this page, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High fit across skin types. The products on this page for The Ordinary include options like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, which help maintain skin balance.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary offers better value and affordability than Simple according to the reviewers on this page.

Which brand has products that are better for clearing acne and blemishes, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary does better for clearing acne and blemishes because the products on this page clear acne and blemishes, whereas Simple struggles in this area.

How do the founding years and parent companies of The Ordinary and Simple compare?

The Ordinary was founded in 201 Canada and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Unilever PLC.

Which brand is better suited for providing lightweight absorption according to reviewer themes?

Simple is better suited for providing lightweight absorption according to reviewer themes.

The Ordinary or Simple for sensitive skin?

Lovi finds The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, whereas Simple reaches a High level. Reviewers often praise The Ordinary for affordable and gentle serums without any fragrance listed across the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

The Ordinary is a better choice for moisturizers on this page, offering superior fit levels for dry skin compared to Simple. The products on this page help deliver effective hydration and skin barrier support.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for acne-prone skin on this page, offering acne-clearing serums that reviewers often praise, whereas Simple has an Average fit across its products for this skin type. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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