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The Ordinary vs Biore

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

The Ordinary and Biore are two distinct skincare lines known for distinct formulations and heritages. The Canadian brand offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Japanese brand is beloved for its thoughtful range of sunscreens, cleansers, masks, and makeup removers, all driven by effective formulas. The former fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, whereas the latter suits sensitive skin and combination skin best due to its gentle yet thorough nature. Ultimately, both differ in their regional origins, parent companies, and specific ingredient philosophies while delivering reliable daily 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

Biore is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by Kao Corporation.

biore.comkao.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Biore products

People Say

The OrdinaryBiore
  • High protection and application Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “Gets the gunk out — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “Face feels squeaky clean — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
    • “SPF 50+ PA++++ — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Redness and acne reduction Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “Helped clear my blackheads — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
  • Great 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%”
  • Hydration and plumping Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “feels like a moisturizer — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • Gentle application Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Minimal effort required — Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips”
    • “No greasy film, leaves skin fresh, rinses easily. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “Works in shower, effective on wet hands/face. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “no irritation at all — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Makeup compatibility Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “primer-like — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Removes waterproof mascara, eyeliner, foundation. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “Makeup sits beautifully on top — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Stinging and irritation Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Made my skin peel — Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser”
  • Texture and pilling issues Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Too liquidy, thin consistency, messy application. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • 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 alcohol — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
  • 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”
    • “caused cystic acne — Biore UV Aqua Rich”
    • “Caused breakouts, closed comedones, cystic acne. — Biore Makeup Remover Perfect Oil”

The Ordinary vs Biore routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Biore routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Biore routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Biore: which is better?

The Ordinary is a better fit for overall skin routines on this page, achieving a superior routine fit across almost all skin types compared to Biore. The Ordinary products on this page frequently help with hydration, redness reduction, and great value, though shoppers may occasionally experience stinging and irritation.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Biore?

The Ordinary offers a wider selection of targeted serums and treatments with superior routine fit across most skin types, particularly for hydration, redness, and dark spots. Biore provides fewer products on this page, but delivers high protection and makeup compatibility, fitting sensitive and combination skin best.

The Ordinary or Biore for dry skin?

For dry skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit while Biore has a High routine fit. The Ordinary features multiple moisturizers and serums that are well-suited for adding hydration and plumping dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Biore: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a better cleanser range overall, featuring options like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser that rates high or superior across almost all skin types. Biore includes cleansers like the Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser, which fits oily skin at an average level but tends to rate lower for dry or sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Biore?

The Ordinary offers better value and pricing than Biore, making it the more affordable choice among the products on this page.

Which brand performs better for hydration and plumping, The Ordinary or Biore?

The Ordinary performs better for hydration and plumping based on reviewer feedback. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

How do the founding years and parent companies of The Ordinary and Biore compare?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. In comparison, Biore was founded earlier in Japan in 1980 and is owned by Kao Corporation.

Which brand offers better makeup compatibility according to reviewers?

Biore does better for makeup compatibility according to reviewers.

The Ordinary or Biore for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas Biore has a high fit. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers great value and effective targeted treatments.

The Ordinary or Biore for acne-prone skin?

Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi giving The Ordinary a High fit and Biore a High fit. The products on this page from The Ordinary provide acne-clearing serums.

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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