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The Ordinary vs Simple

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

The Ordinary and Simple are prominent skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and makeup removers built around hydrating and soothing ingredients. The Canadian brand features hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry skin and sensitive skin, while also addressing acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin through targeted formulations. Conversely, the British brand incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to support oily skin and acne-prone skin, providing specific solutions for dark spots and mature skin. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage and primary skin type suitability, with both delivering reliable everyday care.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Simple products

People Say

The OrdinarySimple
  • Great value and affordability 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%”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Good for sensitive skin Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “cleared up my dry patches — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Clears acne and blemishes 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”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often MentionedNot 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%”
  • Breakouts and purging Sometimes 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”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Insufficient moisture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Struggles with waterproof makeup Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “leaves a tacky film — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Simple: which is better?

The Ordinary is superior to Simple for the products on this page, offering better value and targeted solutions for acne and texture. Meanwhile, Simple provides gentle and lightweight options that are well-suited for sensitive skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Simple?

The Ordinary offers affordable, value-focused serums that help clear acne and smooth skin texture, while Simple provides gentle makeup removers and lightweight moisturizers. Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and Simple as High across all skin types on this page.

The Ordinary or Simple for dry skin?

Lovi finds that both The Ordinary and Simple fit dry skin well, with The Ordinary rated Superior and Simple rated High. The Ordinary products on this page help with dry skin through ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a better cleanser range, with products like the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser and Glycolipid Cream Cleanser achieving High to Superior fit levels across most skin types on this page. Simple provides gentle options like the Refreshing Facial Wash, but its cleansers generally fit skin types with lower Average or Low ratings.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Simple?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary is better for great value and affordability. Reviewers frequently praise the brand for its affordable and great value serums.

When was The Ordinary founded and who owns it compared to Simple?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada and has been owned by The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021, whereas Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

Which brand does better for smoothing skin texture, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary does better for smoothing skin texture, as texture-smoothing serums are often mentioned for the products on this page.

What are the key ingredients across The Ordinary products versus Simple products?

The key ingredients across the products on this page for The Ordinary are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. For Simple, the key ingredients are niacinamide and glycerin.

The Ordinary or Simple for sensitive skin?

Lovi finds that The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while Simple has a High fit. Reviewers often mention that Simple products are gentle and sensitive-skin-friendly, whereas The Ordinary offers products on this page with no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that both The Ordinary and Simple offer effective moisturizers, with The Ordinary providing options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA that achieve a Superior fit for dry skin. Simple also provides reliable daily options such as the Hydrating Light Moisturiser and Replenishing Rich Moisturiser for everyday hydration. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary fits acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi rating. The products on this page help clear acne and blemishes.

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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