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The Ordinary vs Hada Labo

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

The Ordinary and Hada Labo are distinct skincare lines originating from Canada and Japan, respectively. The Canadian brand centers its offerings on targeted serums and moisturizers featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Japanese brand is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the former additionally caters to sensitive and acne-prone skin with standalone treatments, and the latter expertly restores moisture and soothes irritation for acne-prone skin. They differ primarily in their formulation philosophies, as the North American range focuses on single-ingredient efficacy for mature skin and dark spots, whereas the Asian line relies on advanced, harmonious formulas to support a healthy skin barrier.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Hada Labo products

People Say

The OrdinaryHada Labo
  • Affordable value and great price Mostly MentionedSometimes 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%”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Deep hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Lightweight absorption and texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Fades dark spots and marks Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Clears and improves acne 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”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “Can feel tacky on the skin — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and clogging Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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 — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Thick texture and issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Greasy in humidity — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

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The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit for dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, mature, and dark-spot-prone skin on this page, while The Ordinary does better for affordable value and Hada Labo does better for deep hydration and gentle formulations. Hyaluronic acid helps provide moisture and anti-aging benefits for skin quality.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Hada Labo?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide fragrance-free skincare, but The Ordinary excels in affordable value and clearing acne, whereas Hada Labo delivers deeper hydration and lighter absorption. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in products from both brands, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary offers products like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA which helps moisturize dry skin, while Hada Labo provides deeply hydrating toners like Gokujyun Lotion.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide moisturizers that fit dry skin at a Superior level, while Hada Labo tends to offer deeper hydration and plumping for the skin on the products on this page.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

The Ordinary provides more affordable value and great price compared to Hada Labo for the products on this page.

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

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo perform equally well for fading dark spots as products on this page help improve hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand has a more gentle formula, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo does better for a gentle and non-irritating formula. Every product on the Hada Labo page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which provides deeper hydration and plumping?

Hada Labo does better for deep hydration and plumping. The products on this page help deliver intense moisture through key ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide a Superior routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers indicate that The Ordinary excels in providing affordable value and clearing acne, while Hada Labo delivers better deep hydration, lightweight absorption, and gentle formulas.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary offers products on this page that help clear acne and improve skin.

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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