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The Ordinary vs La Roche-Posay

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

The Ordinary and La Roche-Posay are two well-regarded skincare brands. The Ordinary offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the French brand is deeply loved for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and soothing eye products, all formulated with hydrating glycerin, mineral-rich thermal water, and brightening niacinamide. The Canadian brand fits dry skin and sensitive skin best, whereas the second brand suits mature skin and dry skin best, thanks to the comforting, moisture-binding properties of these core elements. Both differ primarily in their specific target options and key formulations, with the first brand relying on targeted acids and squalane for distinct concerns, and the second utilizing thermal water, vitamin C, and specialized cleansers for varied skin needs.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

La Roche-Posay is a French skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1989.

laroche-posay.com.aufr.wikipedia.org

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

Popular The Ordinary vs La Roche-Posay products

People Say

The OrdinaryLa Roche-Posay
  • Other Product Benefits and Features Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “eliminated armpit odor — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “deflates morning bags — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “zero scent — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
  • Texture Improvement and Smoothing 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”
    • “lightweight and absorbs quickly — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
    • “Skin feels smoother — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
  • Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
    • “skin feels plump — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
    • “legs stopped flaking — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Sensitive Skin Friendly Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Great retinol for beginners — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
    • “Only cream that doesn't sting — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
    • “no stinging — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Value and Pricing 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%”
  • Acne Clearing and Prevention Often 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”
    • “clears acne blemishes — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser”
  • Texture and Pilling Issues Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “pills like crazy — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
    • “Very sticky — La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum”
    • “leaves a tacky residue — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Other Product Issues and Inefficiencies Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Turns orange fast — La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum”
    • “didn't see any significant improvement — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
    • “Weaker retinol product — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
    • “no change in pigment — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
  • Skin Irritation and Stinging Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “burned my face — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
    • “dried my skin out — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
    • “burning sensation — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Packaging and Pump Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “The 50ml tube runs out way too fast. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Wish it came in a pump — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “pump stops working — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”

The Ordinary vs La Roche-Posay routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs La Roche-Posay routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs La Roche-Posay routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay: which is better?

The Ordinary is often rated superior for value and acne-clearing benefits on the products on this page, while La Roche-Posay is frequently noted for hydration and sensitive-skin care. Reviewers mention that The Ordinary offers great-value serums, whereas La Roche-Posay provides soothing moisturizers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and La Roche-Posay?

The Ordinary offers better value and acne-clearing benefits, while La Roche-Posay provides superior hydration and options for sensitive skin, though the products on this page for The Ordinary list no fragrance compared to some scented items from La Roche-Posay.

The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, but Lovi fit is rated Superior for The Ordinary and High for La Roche-Posay. The Ordinary offers great value and effective hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, whereas La Roche-Posay products help soothe sensitive and dry areas.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and La Roche-Posay offer effective cleansers, with The Ordinary excelling in affordability and value. La Roche-Posay products help provide soothing benefits for sensitive skin, though some options on the page may carry strong fragrance issues.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay?

The Ordinary offers better value and pricing on the products on this page, whereas La Roche-Posay frequently faces customer concerns regarding price, value, and size.

Do The Ordinary products contain fragrance compared to La Roche-Posay?

The products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas La Roche-Posay includes fragrance in 14 of its 35 products.

Which brand performs better for texture improvement and smoothing?

Both brands are Equal for texture improvement and smoothing.

What are the main packaging or pump issues reported for The Ordinary?

Packaging and pump issues are noted as a common complaint for The Ordinary on this page.

The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay for oily skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that help with oily skin, but The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit compared to La Roche-Posay's High fit level.

The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and La Roche-Posay offer excellent moisturizers, with The Ordinary focusing on budget-friendly hydration containing key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, while La Roche-Posay delivers soothing, specialized formulas featuring thermal water and ceramides.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and La Roche-Posay offer products that fit sensitive skin well, with Lovi fit levels reaching Superior for products on this page from both brands. Reviewers frequently note that The Ordinary provides gentle and non-irritating serums, while La Roche-Posay is often praised for its soothing and sensitive-skin friendly moisturizers.

The Ordinary or La Roche-Posay for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to La Roche-Posay's High. Reviewers also mention that The Ordinary does better with acne clearing and prevention.

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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