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The Ordinary vs CeraVe

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

The Ordinary and CeraVe are accessible skincare brands offering dedicated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and more built around hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The Canadian brand fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best with formulas featuring squalane, whereas the American brand suits mature skin and oily acne-prone skin best with gentle daily care. Both brands harness hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction and glycerin to increase skin hydration, yet they differ in their origins, targeted skin types, and additional active ingredients.

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

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CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs CeraVe products

People Say

The OrdinaryCeraVe
  • Gentle and safe for sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “no redness after washing — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Great value and affordable price 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%”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness 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”
    • “skin looks smoother and brighter — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Clears acne and fades dark spots Mostly 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”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin irritation, stinging, and burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Face feels like it's on fire — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Sticky or heavy residue finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “left a sticky film — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Pilling and makeup application struggles Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “pills and rolls — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better?

The Ordinary is generally better for a superior routine fit across most skin types on this page, including dry, oily, and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers great value and effective targeted serums, while CeraVe stands out for its lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle cleansers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

The Ordinary products on this page are known for targeted, affordable single-ingredient serums that help clear acne and fade dark spots, while CeraVe products on this page focus on ceramide-dominant barrier repair for deep hydration and lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine compared to CeraVe's High fit on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and moisture levels.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer cleansers that fit oily skin and dry skin at a High level, while the products on this page provide gentle, non-stripping options for daily use. Reviewers note that CeraVe is particularly praised for offering gentle, non-stripping cleansers as well as effective cleansers for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering budget-friendly serums that deliver great value on this page.

Between The Ordinary and CeraVe, which brand is better for reducing dark spots and clearing acne?

The Ordinary is better for reducing dark spots and clearing acne, as the products on this page excel particularly in fading dark spots and clearing blemishes. Niacinamide may help reduce pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the key ingredients and fragrance policies compare between The Ordinary and CeraVe products?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients. While The Ordinary features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, CeraVe incorporates ceramides alongside hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, dimethicone, and salicylic acid.

Which brand performs better for mature skin and oily acne-prone skin according to their routine fit levels?

The Ordinary performs better for mature skin and oily acne-prone skin, as its routine fit levels for both skin types are rated as Superior compared to CeraVe's High fit level.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for oily skin?

The Ordinary provides a Superior routine fit for oily skin compared to CeraVe, which has a High fit level on this page. Reviewers report that the products on this page from The Ordinary do better at clearing acne and fading dark spots.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer great moisturizer options on this page, with The Ordinary rated Superior for dry skin and CeraVe rated High. The Ordinary products on this page help provide deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or CeraVe for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for sensitive skin on this page, while CeraVe is a High fit. Reviewers say that CeraVe is gentle and safe for sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe fit acne-prone skin well, with the products on this page achieving a High routine fit level for both brands. Reviewers note that The Ordinary clears acne and fades dark spots effectively.

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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