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The Ordinary vs Neutrogena

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

The Ordinary and Neutrogena are two distinct skincare lines known for thoughtful selections of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more. The Canadian brand centers its formulas on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while the American brand relies on glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone to suit dry skin and mature skin best. Both offer targeted remedies for specific concerns, such as acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin. They differ primarily in their ingredient profiles and their tailored solutions for varied complexions.

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

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Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Neutrogena products

People Say

The OrdinaryNeutrogena
  • Improves Skin Texture and Pores Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “Quenches dry skin instantly — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value for Money 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%”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Friendly Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “calms my acne prone skin — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • 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”
  • Skin Irritation and Stinging Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Made my face very red — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Burning sensation — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “stings my eyes badly — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Packaging and Quantity Concerns Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “The 50ml tube runs out way too fast. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Wish it came in a pump — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Eye holes are too small — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
  • Pilling and Makeup Application Issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “balls up under foundation — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Sticky or Tacky Finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Left a tacky feeling on my skin. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs Neutrogena routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Neutrogena routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Neutrogena routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Neutrogena: which is better?

The Ordinary is a better choice for improving skin texture, clearing acne, and value for money, while Neutrogena offers better hydration and a lighter feel. Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior for dry sensitive skin and Neutrogena as Average.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Neutrogena?

The Ordinary offers better value for money and helps improve skin texture, while Neutrogena provides deeply hydrating moisturizers. Lovi rates The Ordinary as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin, compared to a High fit for Neutrogena.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and Neutrogena as High. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas and includes a higher proportion of products well-suited for dry skin.

The Ordinary or Neutrogena: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena is better for cleansers on this page because its Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser has a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin, whereas The Ordinary cleansers achieve a High fit level for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Neutrogena?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its affordable and great value serums among the products on this page.

Which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin, The Ordinary or Neutrogena?

The Ordinary performs better for dry sensitive skin, with Lovi rating its routine fit as Superior compared to Neutrogena at Average. The products on this page for The Ordinary include fragrance-free options that support moisture barriers.

How do The Ordinary and Neutrogena compare regarding skin irritation and stinging?

Neutrogena may cause skin irritation and stinging, whereas the products on this page from The Ordinary are often mentioned for being gentle and non-irritating.

Which brand has better options for improving skin texture and pores?

The Ordinary has better options for improving skin texture and pores.

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Neutrogena's High fit level. The products on this page for The Ordinary list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Neutrogena: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer effective moisturizers, but The Ordinary has a Superior fit for dry skin on this page while Neutrogena has a High fit level. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin.

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

The Ordinary or Neutrogena for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. The Ordinary features targeted acne-clearing serums, while Neutrogena provides deeply hydrating and lightweight moisturizers.

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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