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The Ordinary vs CeraVe

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

The Ordinary and CeraVe are two widely recognized skincare lines offering targeted serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and more, built around shared core ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The Canadian brand centers its formulations on specialized acids and squalane to suit dry and sensitive skin, whereas the American brand emphasizes gentle, barrier-restoring properties that favor dry and acne-prone skin. While both share a commitment to effective daily care, they differ primarily in their specific targeted treatments, with the former featuring customized solutions for dark spots, blemishes, and aging, and the latter providing universally loved staples like foaming cleansers and nightly creams.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs CeraVe products

People Say

The OrdinaryCeraVe
  • Gentle and safe for sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “no redness after washing — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Great value and affordable price 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%”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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%”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Clears acne and fades dark spots Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin irritation, stinging, and burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Face feels like it's on fire — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Sticky or heavy residue finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “left a sticky film — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Pilling and makeup application struggles Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “pills and rolls — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better?

Both brands are great, but The Ordinary is rated Superior across all skin types on the products on this page, while CeraVe is rated High. The Ordinary tends to offer better value and texture-smoothing benefits, whereas CeraVe stands out for lightweight moisture and gentle cleansers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers great value and effective targeted treatments for improving texture and fading dark spots, while CeraVe stands out for deep hydration and lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe provide products on this page that fit dry skin well. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for The Ordinary and High for CeraVe.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer cleansers that fit sensitive skin well. The products on this page for CeraVe are frequently praised for being gentle and non-stripping, while The Ordinary's cleansers provide great value.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers better affordability, as reviewers on the products on this page frequently praise the brand for its great value and budget-friendly serums.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better for fading dark spots?

The Ordinary is better for fading dark spots, as the products on this page provide superior targeted treatments and active serums for hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand offers better options for mature skin, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers superior options for mature skin on this page, while CeraVe also provides a high fit. The products on this page help improve skin texture and smooth fine lines.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which one is better suited for dry sensitive skin?

The products on this page show that both brands offer great options, with Lovi giving The Ordinary a Superior fit level and CeraVe a High fit level for dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides great value and improves skin texture, while CeraVe is praised for deep hydration and gentle care.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for oily skin?

For oily skin, both brands work well, with Lovi fit levels of Superior for The Ordinary and High for CeraVe. The products on this page from The Ordinary provide great value and help clear acne and fade dark spots, while CeraVe offers lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle cleansers.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer moisturizers on this page that provide deep hydration. Reviewers note that CeraVe moisturizers deliver a lightweight, non-greasy finish and superior healing, while the products on this page from The Ordinary provide great value and affordable price.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer great options for sensitive skin, but the products on this page show that Lovi fit levels are Superior for The Ordinary and High for CeraVe.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer solid options for acne-prone skin, but the products on this page show that The Ordinary achieves a superior routine fit. The Ordinary excels with acne-clearing serums and targeted treatments, while CeraVe relies on effective cleansers and lightweight moisturizers.

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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