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The Ordinary vs Pixi

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

The Ordinary and Pixi are popular skincare lines offering targeted solutions for diverse complexions. The Canadian brand specializes in science-led serums and moisturizers featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which suit dry and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the British brand is beloved for gentle toners and eye products designed to soothe and balance sensitive and acne-prone skin. While both deliver reliable daily care, they differ in their specific formulations and primary skin type compatibilities.

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

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Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Pixi products

People Say

The OrdinaryPixi
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “deeply hydrates and balances — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “leaves under-eyes super soft — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • 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 feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • 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%”
  • Instant glow and radiance Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “healthy radiance — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “tight, bright and shiny — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs fairly quickly into the skin. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
    • “unique gel-like texture — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “absorbs really fast — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Redness reduction and soothing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “deflates morning bags — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “instantly cooling upon application — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
  • Sticky or tacky finish and residue Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “too greasy — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “slightly tacky to touch — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
  • Unpleasant or strong 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”
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • Skin stinging, burning, and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Massive burning sensation — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “burned my face — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Not for those with super-sensitive skin — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Makeup pilling and compatibility issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “separates foundation — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “It doesn't work with my makeup at all. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Pixi: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer great skincare options, with The Ordinary standing out for its affordable and budget-friendly pricing while Pixi excels in delivering deep hydration and instant radiance. Reviewers note that Pixi products may occasionally cause skin irritation and sensitivity, whereas The Ordinary products are fragrance-free across the range.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Pixi?

The Ordinary offers great value and affordable serums, whereas Pixi provides deeper hydration and an instant glow. Both brands perform equally well across most skin types, though Pixi has a superior fit for acne-prone skin.

The Ordinary or Pixi for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, while Pixi provides deep hydration and radiance.

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

The Ordinary or Pixi: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer moisturizers with strong hydrating benefits, but The Ordinary stands out for better value while Pixi excels in lightweight absorption. The Ordinary products on this page list no added fragrance, whereas some Pixi products contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Pixi?

The Ordinary offers better value than Pixi, as its serums are widely noted by reviewers for being affordable and great value.

Between The Ordinary and Pixi, which brand offers better hydration and plumping according to reviewers?

Between The Ordinary and Pixi, Pixi offers better hydration and plumping according to reviewers. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration and radiance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of The Ordinary and Pixi differ?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021. In contrast, Pixi was founded earlier in 1999 in the United Kingdom and remains independently owned.

Which brand has more fragrance concerns, The Ordinary or Pixi?

Pixi has more fragrance concerns because 3 of its 10 products on this page list fragrance in their ingredients, whereas every product from The Ordinary on this page lists no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Pixi for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for oily skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free products on the products on this page, while Pixi provides lightweight absorption.

The Ordinary or Pixi for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page, while Pixi includes fragrance in some formulations.

The Ordinary or Pixi for acne-prone skin?

Pixi fits acne-prone skin better than The Ordinary because Pixi achieves a Superior routine fit for this skin type, whereas The Ordinary reaches a High level. Both brands offer products that help improve skin texture and manage breakouts.

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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