The Ordinary vs Allies of Skin
The Ordinary and Allies of Skin are skincare brands that serve distinct approaches and routines. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry and dry sensitive skin, whereas Allies of Skin is loved for thoughtful moisturizers, targeted serums, and advanced eye products infused with niacinamide to suit dry and oily acne-prone skin best. Both offer specialized care for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, yet they differ through formulations where the first brand builds around single key ingredients and the other features advanced, multi-tasking blends.
The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.
This page compares some of the most popular The Ordinary and Allies of Skin products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular The Ordinary vs Allies of Skin products
People Say
Skin Texture Improvement and Smoothing 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 looks smoother and brighter — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
- “Woke up looking well-rested — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
Hydration and Plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “nourished and hydrated — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
- “more like a spray serum — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
- “Skin feels hydrated — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
- “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
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%”
Gentle and Non-Irritating Formulation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
- “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
- “Best retinol for sensitive skin — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
- “feels super soothing, doesn't trigger redness — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
Acne Clearing and Blemish Reduction Often MentionedSometimes 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”
- “Dramatic impact on acne — Allies of Skin Retinal & Peptides Repair Night Cream”
Lightweight Absorption and Texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “sinks easily into damp skin — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
- “Absorbs instantly without sticky feeling — Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment”
- “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
- “Pricey — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
Sticky and Tacky Finish Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “didn't like how sticky face feels — Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist”
- “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
Stinging and Skin Irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Slightly irritating... when I first started — Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum”
- “rashes popped up on my neck — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
- “stings my eyes — Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream”
- “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
Slow or Ineffective Results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “no change in pigment — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
- “not a miracle worker overnight — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
- “Didn't do anything special — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
- “still not impressed with the results — Allies of Skin Tranexamic & Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum”
The Ordinary vs Allies of Skin routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€7.50
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
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Moisturizer
Molecular Saviour Probiotics Treatment Mist
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€56.90
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SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.10
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Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
€76.90
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Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
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Cleanser
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.77
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
€18.55
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Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.11
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SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€16.10
-
Serum or Treatment
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Evening · Once a week
€8.51
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Nourishing Mask
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€19.90
The Ordinary vs Allies of Skin routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.35
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Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
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Moisturizer
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€35.95
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SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€34.30
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
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Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€29.29
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Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
€76.90
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
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Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
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Cleanser
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.77
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.99
-
Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.11
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€34.30
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
€13.69
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Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
€5.75
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
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Cleansing Mask
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Once a week
€13.00
The Ordinary vs Allies of Skin routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Paula's Choice Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.00
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
€17.15
-
Serum or Treatment
Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream
Evening · Once a week
€76.90
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
€79.97
-
Cleanser
Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€12.77
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.11
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
€13.69
-
Serum or Treatment
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Evening · Once a week
€8.51
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€49.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Once a week
€13.00
Questions and answers
The Ordinary or Allies of Skin: which is better?
Both brands achieve a Superior Lovi fit level across all skin types on the products on this page. The Ordinary is noted for better texture improvement, acne clearing, and affordability, while Allies of Skin stands out for hydration, plumping, and lightweight absorption.
What is the difference between The Ordinary and Allies of Skin?
Both brands offer an equal Superior routine fit across all skin types on this page, but The Ordinary is noted for great value while Allies of Skin stands out for its high price point.
The Ordinary or Allies of Skin for dry skin?
Both The Ordinary and Allies of Skin achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for both brands feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid that help maintain moisture.
The Ordinary or Allies of Skin: which moisturizer is better?
Both The Ordinary and Allies of Skin provide moisturizers, and Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for dry skin. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers great value and pricing, while Allies of Skin is praised for gentle, effective moisturizers.
Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Allies of Skin?
The Ordinary is more affordable than Allies of Skin, as the products on this page offer great value and budgeting benefits compared to Allies of Skin's high price point.
Which brand is better for improving skin texture, The Ordinary or Allies of Skin?
The Ordinary is better for improving skin texture based on the reviews on the products on this page. Shoppers often note that its products help smooth skin texture effectively while remaining affordable.
How do the prices of The Ordinary and Allies of Skin compare based on reviewer feedback?
The products on this page show that Allies of Skin faces reviewer complaints for a high price point, whereas The Ordinary is praised by reviewers for being affordable and offering great value serums.
Which brand contains fragrance in its products, The Ordinary or Allies of Skin?
Neither The Ordinary nor Allies of Skin contains fragrance in the products on this page, as every product lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
The Ordinary or Allies of Skin for oily skin?
Both The Ordinary and Allies of Skin achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for oily skin. The products on this page for both brands offer effective options, though The Ordinary is especially known for affordable value serums.
The Ordinary or Allies of Skin for sensitive skin?
Both The Ordinary and Allies of Skin achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, offering gentle and non-irritating formulations across the products on this page. However, shoppers seeking budget-friendly options may prefer The Ordinary, as Allies of Skin is frequently noted for its high price point.
The Ordinary or Allies of Skin for acne-prone skin?
Both The Ordinary and Allies of Skin achieve a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers indicate that The Ordinary does better for acne clearing and blemish reduction, while Allies of Skin is noted for initial irritation and skin reactions.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Lycopene and Melatonin: Antioxidant Compounds in Cosmetic Formulations
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Topical lycopene emulgel significantly improves biophysical parameters of human skin
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
A bioactive complex to protect proteins from UV-induced oxidation in human epidermis
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Natural Moisturizing Factor-Enriched Formulations Compared to a Ceramide-Based Cream
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Effects of a Greek Yoghurt-based Complex on the Human Facial Skin Microbiome
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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