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The Ordinary vs Dermalogica

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

The Ordinary and Dermalogica are distinct skincare lines created to address diverse dermatological needs. The Ordinary offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which best suit dry and sensitive skin. Meanwhile, the American brand provides targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, purifying masks, and more, all formulated with powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, which suit oily and combination skin best. While both utilize hydrating staples like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, they differ in their specialized ingredients and formulations, allowing each to cater to contrasting skin types and specific concerns.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Dermalogica products

People Say

The OrdinaryDermalogica
  • Value and pricing 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%”
    • “little goes a long way — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • 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 smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “Sinks in beautifully — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Acne clearing and blemish control 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”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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 puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Stinging and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “burns immediately — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “caused severe peeling — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Prickle sensation — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Breakouts and skin reactions Rarely 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”
    • “Cystic acne flare-ups — Dermalogica Precleanse”

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which is better?

The Ordinary delivers better value and pricing, whereas Dermalogica excels in providing intense hydration and soothing moisturizers across the products on this page.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Dermalogica?

The Ordinary offers budget-friendly products with standout value and acne-clearing benefits, whereas Dermalogica provides more intensive hydration and gentle, non-stripping cleansers.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Dermalogica's High level. Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient across The Ordinary products on this page, and topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer cleansers with strong fit levels across various skin types, but shoppers looking specifically for value may prefer The Ordinary. Dermalogica reviewers frequently note intense hydration and soothing benefits.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary is more affordable than Dermalogica, featuring value and pricing as a strongly praised benefit among reviewers.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dark spots?

The Ordinary is the better choice for dark spots because the products on this page achieve a superior fit level for skin with dark spots compared to Dermalogica's high fit level. Additionally, niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand provides better hydration and plumping, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

Dermalogica provides better hydration and plumping than The Ordinary according to reviewer themes on the page. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient across the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for smoothing skin texture?

The Ordinary does better for smoothing skin texture among the products on this page. Reviewers often mention its texture-smoothing serums.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer a Superior routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer effective moisturizers tailored to different needs, with Dermalogica standing out for intense hydration while The Ordinary provides great value and barrier support. Lovi rates The Ordinary moisturizer routine as Superior for dry skin, compared to High for Dermalogica.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is the better choice for sensitive skin, offering superior routine fit compared to Dermalogica's high fit. The Ordinary features gentle, non-irritating serums that are fragrance-free across the products on this page.

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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