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The Ordinary vs Simple

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

The Ordinary and Simple are accessible skincare brands that respectively offer targeted, ingredient-driven serums and comforting cleansers or moisturizers. The Canadian line relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry and dry sensitive skin, whereas the British brand incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to care best for oily and acne-prone skin. While both share a dedication to nourishing formulations, the former specializes in intensive treatments for specific textural concerns, and the latter focuses on gentle, everyday essentials.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Simple products

People Say

The OrdinarySimple
  • Great value and affordability 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%”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Good for sensitive skin Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “cleared up my dry patches — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • 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”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often MentionedNot 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%”
  • Breakouts and purging Sometimes 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”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Insufficient moisture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Struggles with waterproof makeup Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “leaves a tacky film — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Simple: which is better?

The Ordinary is a better fit than Simple across nearly all skin types on this page, offering superior routines for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, dark spot, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin. The Ordinary stands out for its high-performance value serums, texture-smoothing formulas, and acne-clearing treatments, whereas Simple is mostly known for gentle makeup removers and lightweight moisturizers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Simple?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit across nearly all skin types, whereas Simple reaches a High fit. The Ordinary excels at offering great value and targeting dark spots or acne, while Simple provides gentle, lightweight makeup removers and moisturizers that are well-suited for sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or Simple for dry skin?

The Ordinary fits dry skin better with a Superior routine rating, while Simple reaches a High fit on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers a broader cleanser selection, including options like the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser and Glycolipid Cream Cleanser that rate High across dry, sensitive, and oily skin. Simple provides a Refreshing Facial Wash, which has lower Lovi fit levels of Low for dry and dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary offers better value and affordability than Simple among the products on this page. Reviewers frequently note that The Ordinary provides great value and affordability across its serum range.

The Ordinary or Simple for dark spots?

The Ordinary is the better choice for dark spots because Lovi rates its routine as Superior, compared to High for Simple. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation by suppressing melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand has better options for smoothing skin texture, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary has better options for smoothing skin texture among the products on this page. Reviewers often mention its texture-smoothing serums, and Lovi rates its routine fit for dry skin as Superior compared to Simple's High fit level.

The Ordinary or Simple for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily skin, offering a superior routine fit compared to Simple's high fit level. The Ordinary products on this page help clear blemishes and smooth texture, which may benefit oily skin.

The Ordinary or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers moisturizers with a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Simple products on this page provide an Average fit for dry skin. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary helps sensitive skin better on this page, earning a Superior fit level compared to Simple at High. Reviewers often mention The Ordinary for gentle and non-irritating serums that have no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Simple help with acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates both brands as having a High fit for this skin type among the products on this page. Reviewers report that The Ordinary does better at clearing acne and blemishes.

The Ordinary or Simple for mature skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for mature skin, whereas Simple is a High fit on this page. Reviewers report that The Ordinary does better for smoother skin texture and great value.

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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