The Ordinary vs Bioderma
The Ordinary and Bioderma are a Canadian brand founded in 2016 and a French brand founded in 1977, respectively. The Ordinary is known for serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while Bioderma is revered for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, makeup removers, serums, cleansers, and more, all anchored by nourishing glycerin. The first brand fits dry skin and sensitive skin best, and the second suits sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best. They differ primarily in their origin, their ownership, and the specific high-tolerance formulations they provide to address individual skin concerns.
The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.
Bioderma is a French skincare brand founded in 1977 and owned by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.
This page compares some of the most popular The Ordinary and Bioderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular The Ordinary vs Bioderma products
People Say
Gentle and non-irritating formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “doesn't sting my eyes — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
- “doesn't cause any irritation — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
- “mildest face wash I've tried — Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant”
- “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
Great value and affordable price Mostly MentionedRarely 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%”
- “huge tube — Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra”
Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “healed my dry skin — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
- “skin feels plump — Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra”
- “leaves skin feeling hydrated — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
- “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedRarely 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%”
- “glides on smoothly — Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra”
Clears acne and reduces blemishes Often MentionedRarely 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”
- “It removed my acne from my face. — Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant”
Effective cleansing and makeup removal Not notedOften Mentioned
- “melts every bit of make up and SPF off — Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil”
- “Probably the first cleanser that actually took all of my makeup off my face!!! — Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant”
- “melts makeup away — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
Skin irritation and stinging Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “stings my eyes bad — Bioderma Sensibio H2O”
- “Stings on open pimples — Bioderma Sébium Pore Refiner”
- “A lot of acne were showing after I started using this product. — Bioderma Sébium Gel moussant”
- “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
Pilling and texture issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “peels off in clumps — Bioderma Sébium Hydra”
- “Left a greasy film — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Eye”
- “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “feels sticky at first — Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume”
- “leaves a shiny layer — Bioderma Atoderm Crème Ultra”
- “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
The Ordinary vs Bioderma routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.95
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€12.59
-
Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.50
-
SPF
Australian Gold Botanical Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€21.04
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
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Serum or Treatment
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Evening · Once a week
€8.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
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Cleanser
Atoderm Huile de Douche
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€20.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrabio Serum
Morning
€21.49
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Moisturizer
Atoderm Crème Ultra
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€27.21
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SPF
Australian Gold Botanical Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€21.04
-
Pre-Cleanser
Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€18.76
-
Serum or Treatment
Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas
Evening · Once a week
€21.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
The Ordinary vs Bioderma routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.59
-
Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.50
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€32.80
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
€13.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
€5.80
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Once a week
€15.20
-
Cleanser
Sébium Gel moussant
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.62
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrabio Serum
Morning · Once a week
€21.49
-
Moisturizer
Sébium Mat Control
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.79
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€32.80
-
Pre-Cleanser
Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€18.76
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas
Evening · Once a week
€21.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
€81.80
The Ordinary vs Bioderma routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.50
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
€13.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Evening · Once a week
€8.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Once a week
€15.20
-
Cleanser
Sébium Gel moussant
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€17.62
-
Hydrating Toner
Sébium Lotion
Morning · Once a week
€17.25
-
Moisturizer
Sébium Mat Control
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.79
-
Pre-Cleanser
Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€18.76
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Pigmentbio Sensitive Areas
Evening · Once a week
€21.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
Questions and answers
The Ordinary or Bioderma: which is better?
The Ordinary offers better value and smoother textures, while Bioderma is preferred for soothing and gentle cleansing. Lovi fit for dry skin is Superior for The Ordinary and High for Bioderma.
What is the difference between The Ordinary and Bioderma?
The Ordinary offers budget-friendly serums that help improve skin texture and clear acne, while Bioderma provides soothing cleansers and makeup removers that focus on hydration and barrier repair.
The Ordinary or Bioderma for dry skin?
Both The Ordinary and Bioderma fit dry skin well, with Lovi giving The Ordinary a Superior fit and Bioderma a High fit. The products on this page from The Ordinary offer great value and affordable price, while Bioderma is praised for soothing and barrier-repairing moisturizers.
The Ordinary or Bioderma: which cleanser is better?
Both The Ordinary and Bioderma offer excellent cleansers on this page, with Bioderma standing out for effective makeup removal and cleansing, while The Ordinary features great value and gentle formulations. Lovi rates the cleanser routine fit for both brands as Superior across skin types, helping shoppers find a suitable match.
Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Bioderma?
The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its great value and budget-friendly serums. In contrast, Bioderma is sometimes noted for a higher price point and value concerns on the products on this page.
Which brand is better for treating dark spots, The Ordinary or Bioderma?
The Ordinary is better for treating dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots. Additionally, Niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.
How do the founding years and current ownership differ between The Ordinary and Bioderma?
The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021. In contrast, Bioderma was founded in France in 1977 and has been owned by the Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation since 2018.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, The Ordinary or Bioderma?
The Ordinary offers more fragrance-free choices, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In comparison, Bioderma includes fragrance in 9 out of 20 products on its page.
The Ordinary or Bioderma for oily skin?
For oily skin, both brands work well, but Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and Bioderma as High. The Ordinary offers products on this page that help clear acne and improve skin texture, while Bioderma is known for effective cleansing and makeup removal.
The Ordinary or Bioderma: which moisturizer is better?
When it comes to moisturizers, The Ordinary generally offers better value and superior routine fit levels for dry skin compared to Bioderma. The products on this page help provide hydration with key ingredients like glycerin and squalane, though Bioderma is also well regarded for soothing barrier-repairing moisturizers.
The Ordinary or Bioderma for sensitive skin?
Both The Ordinary and Bioderma fit sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels rated as Superior for The Ordinary and High for Bioderma. The products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance.
The Ordinary or Bioderma for acne-prone skin?
Both brands offer products that fit acne-prone skin well, but The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit compared to Bioderma's High fit on this page. The Ordinary features affordable acne-clearing serums, while Bioderma is known for gentle, non-irritating cleansers.
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
Hesperidin, Hesperetin, Rutinose, and Rhamnose Act as Skin Anti-Aging Agents
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Development of Polymeric Micelles of Oleanolic Acid and Evaluation of Their Clinical Efficacy
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
Potentially beneficial effects of rhamnose on skin ageing: an in vitro and in vivo study
Lycopene and Melatonin: Antioxidant Compounds in Cosmetic Formulations
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Formulation strategies to modulate the topical delivery of anti-inflammatory compounds
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Salicyloyl-phytosphingosine: a novel agent for the repair of photoaged skin
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
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
Interest in Micellar Solution to Reduce Unpleasant Skin Sensations
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
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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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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