The Ordinary vs KORRES
The Ordinary and KORRES are two distinct skincare lines known for thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and toners built around ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian brand centers its offerings on hydration and barrier support with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry skin and sensitive skin best while offering targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. Meanwhile, the Greek brand crafts gentle preparations featuring staples like the Santorini Grape Poreless Skin Cream, Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser, and Bounce Firming Moisturizer to nurture dry skin and mature skin. While The Ordinary emphasizes single-ingredient efficacy and targeted acids, KORRES leans toward botanically infused formulations for comprehensive care.
The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.
This page compares some of the most popular The Ordinary and KORRES products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular The Ordinary vs KORRES products
People Say
Great value and affordability Mostly MentionedNot 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%”
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 baby soft — KORRES Santorini Grape Poreless Skin Cream”
Lightweight absorption and texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — KORRES Santorini Grape Poreless Skin Cream”
- “rich... without being greasy — KORRES Bounce Firming Moisturizer”
- “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
Gentle and non-irritating Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
- “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
- “No irritation at all — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
- “leaves face soft and smooth — KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser”
Creamy and rich texture Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “feels like velvet — KORRES Velvet Skin Drink”
- “Luxurious foam — KORRES Foaming Cream Cleanser”
- “creamy and luxurious feel — KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser”
Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “saved my dry skin — KORRES Velvet Skin Drink”
- “extremely moisturizing — KORRES Bounce Firming Moisturizer”
- “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
Unique or small packaging and sizes Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “The 50ml tube runs out way too fast. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
- “Annoying that you have to rub it in hands for 10-20 seconds first. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
- “Wish it came in a pump — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
- “Needs a pump — KORRES Foaming Cream Cleanser”
Makeup application and pilling issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “pills under makeup — KORRES Velvet Skin Drink”
- “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
Unpleasant or polarizing scent Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “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 babies — KORRES Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser”
The Ordinary vs KORRES 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
-
Serum or Treatment
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Evening · Once a week
€8.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
-
Cleanser
Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€23.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€12.59
-
Moisturizer
d'Alba First Spray Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
SPF
Australian Gold Botanical Lotion SPF 30
Morning
€21.04
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
€9.99
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
€19.00
The Ordinary vs KORRES 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
Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€23.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€16.59
-
Moisturizer
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€38.99
-
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
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
€16.90
-
Serum or Treatment
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
€5.80
-
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 KORRES routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€23.90
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Some By Mi Yuja Niacin Brightening Moisture Gel Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.67
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€104.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€16.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
€9.99
-
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
-
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
Questions and answers
The Ordinary or KORRES: which is better?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES achieve a superior routine fit across all skin types on this page. The Ordinary excels in affordability and fragrance-free formulations, whereas KORRES offers rich textures with added fragrance.
What is the difference between The Ordinary and KORRES?
The Ordinary offers budget-friendly, fragrance-free products that focus on active ingredients and suit dry skin, sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots. KORRES provides richer, highly fragranced creams and cleansers that help with dry skin, mature skin, and combination skin.
The Ordinary or KORRES for dry skin?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES achieve a Superior routine fit level for dry skin on this page. The Ordinary offers fragrance-free products and better affordability, while KORRES delivers rich and creamy cleansers alongside hydrating and velvety moisturizers.
The Ordinary or KORRES: which cleanser is better?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES offer cleansers that fit skin types well, but The Ordinary is better for fragrance-sensitive shoppers since all products on this page list no fragrance. KORRES products on this page contain fragrance, though reviewers frequently mention their cleansers are gentle and non-stripping.
Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or KORRES?
The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers on the products on this page frequently praise the brand for its great value and affordability. By contrast, KORRES faces frequent complaints regarding high prices and value concerns.
Which brand has better fragrance-free options between The Ordinary and KORRES?
The Ordinary is the better choice for fragrance-free skincare, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas zero out of five KORRES products on this page are fragrance-free.
How do the founding years and current ownership of The Ordinary and KORRES compare?
The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021, whereas KORRES was founded earlier in 1996 and has been owned by Halcyon Equity Partners and Giorgos Korres since 2024.
Which brand performs better for smoothing skin texture and providing great value?
The Ordinary performs better for smoothing skin texture and providing great value, as reviewers frequently praise its affordable serums and texture-smoothing benefits.
The Ordinary or KORRES for oily skin?
Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for oily skin, but they differ in formulation details and user feedback. The Ordinary offers fragrance-free options and is praised on the products on this page for great value and affordability, whereas KORRES features added fragrance in its products on this page and is favored for lightweight absorption and texture.
The Ordinary or KORRES: which moisturizer is better?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES offer effective moisturizers, with The Ordinary focusing on fragrance-free formulas and great value, while KORRES is known for hydrating and velvety textures. Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as equal across skin types.
The Ordinary or KORRES for sensitive skin?
Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, but The Ordinary is typically better for shoppers seeking fragrance-free formulas and great value. The Ordinary helps soothe irritation with gentle products like its Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, whereas KORRES features fragrance across all the products on this page.
The Ordinary or KORRES for acne-prone skin?
Both The Ordinary and KORRES achieve a Superior routine fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. The Ordinary stands out for its affordability and targeted acne-clearing serums, whereas KORRES offers gentle and non-stripping cleansers alongside lightweight moisturizers.
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
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Lycopene and Melatonin: Antioxidant Compounds in Cosmetic Formulations
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
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
Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
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
Effects of a Greek Yoghurt-based Complex on the Human Facial Skin Microbiome
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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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