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The Ordinary vs Dermalogica

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

The Ordinary and Dermalogica are distinct skincare lines created to address diverse dermal needs through targeted formulations. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the American brand relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid within its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks to suit oily skin and combination skin best. While both utilize science-led ingredients to improve hydration and barrier function, they differ in their core active agents and ideal skin types.

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

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Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Dermalogica products

People Say

The OrdinaryDermalogica
  • Value and pricing Mostly MentionedRarely 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%”
    • “little goes a long way — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • 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 smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “Sinks in beautifully — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Acne clearing and blemish control Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • 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 puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Stinging and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “burns immediately — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “caused severe peeling — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Prickle sensation — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Breakouts and skin reactions Rarely 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”
    • “Cystic acne flare-ups — Dermalogica Precleanse”

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary is better for value and pricing, acne clearing, and skin texture smoothing, while Dermalogica is better for hydration and plumping, gentle and non-irritating care, and lightweight absorption.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Dermalogica?

The Ordinary is more affordable and better for value, while Dermalogica tends to have a higher price point. Reviewers also say that The Ordinary helps with acne clearing, whereas Dermalogica offers intense hydration and soothing moisturizers.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi finds The Ordinary to be a Superior fit while Dermalogica is a High fit. Reviewers note that Dermalogica provides intense hydration, whereas the products on this page from The Ordinary offer great value and pricing.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page include several cleansers from both The Ordinary and Dermalogica, such as The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. Lovi fit levels for cleansers vary across different skin types for each brand, with both brands offering high-fitting options.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary is more affordable than Dermalogica, providing greater value and pricing for shoppers.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for reducing dark spots?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary has a superior routine fit for skin with dark spots, whereas Dermalogica has a high routine fit. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand has a better routine fit for mature skin?

The Ordinary has a better routine fit for mature skin, achieving a Superior level compared to Dermalogica's High level. Lovi rates The Ordinary's routine fit for mature skin as Superior.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica are equally a Superior fit for oily skin according to Lovi.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, both The Ordinary and Dermalogica are featured on the page with various options tailored to different skin types. For dry skin, Lovi rates The Ordinary a Superior fit and Dermalogica a High fit. Reviewers often mention that Dermalogica provides intense hydration and soothing moisturizers, while The Ordinary offers great value.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi finds that The Ordinary has a superior routine fit compared to Dermalogica which has a high fit. Reviewers mention that Dermalogica is gentle and non-irritating, while The Ordinary offers great value.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands work well, with Lovi fit levels of High for both The Ordinary and Dermalogica. Reviewers say that acne-clearing serums are better with The Ordinary.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, Lovi finds that The Ordinary has a superior routine fit compared to Dermalogica, which has a high fit. The products on this page for The Ordinary include options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and Glycolipid Cream Cleanser that help support dry and sensitive skin types.

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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