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The Ordinary vs Hada Labo

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

The Ordinary and Hada Labo are distinct skincare lines, with the Canadian brand offering targeted serums and moisturizers centered on active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Japanese brand is deeply loved for its hydrating toners and nourishing moisturizers driven by advanced science. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the former also fits dry sensitive skin and offers specialized options for acne-prone, dark-spot, and mature concerns, whereas the latter expertly restores moisture for dry and acne-prone skin without clogging pores. Ultimately, they differ through their formulation approaches, as the former relies on single-ingredient transparency to address specific skin needs, while its counterpart delivers harmonious hydration to support a healthy skin barrier.

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

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Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Hada Labo products

People Say

The OrdinaryHada Labo
  • Affordable value and great price Mostly MentionedSometimes 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%”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Deep hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Lightweight absorption and texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Fades dark spots and marks Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Clears and improves acne 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”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “Can feel tacky on the skin — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and clogging Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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 — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Thick texture and issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Greasy in humidity — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both brands perform well, but Hada Labo is superior for deep hydration while The Ordinary is better for affordable value and clearing acne. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Hada Labo?

The Ordinary provides budget-friendly options and helps clear acne, while Hada Labo delivers deep hydration and lightweight absorption. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page and achieve an equal routine fit for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, mature skin, and dark spots.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo fit dry skin equally well, as Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for each brand. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured prominently across the products on this page, helps provide deep hydration and plumping for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo offer moisturizers with a Superior routine fit for dry skin, though they differ in their specific formulations and key ingredients. The Ordinary provides options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA which helps deliver deep hydration, while Hada Labo features gel-cream textures that are known for lightweight absorption.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

The Ordinary is more affordable and offers better value for budget-conscious shoppers among the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for fading dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo fit skin with dark spots at a Superior level on this page. Reviewers note that both brands perform equally well for fading dark spots and marks.

Which brand provides deeper hydration, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

Hada Labo does better for deep hydration and plumping compared to The Ordinary, offering lightweight toners that shoppers note for intensive moisture. Hyaluronic acid helps both brands deliver hydration, and topical hyaluronic acid benefits skin quality and signs of aging.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both brands fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi giving Hada Labo a Superior level and The Ordinary a High level for this skin type.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for mature skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo fit mature skin equally well, as Lovi rates their routines as Superior for this skin type. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration, while retinol helps reduce signs of skin aging.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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