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The Ordinary vs CeraVe

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

The Ordinary and CeraVe are two widely loved skincare lines built around essential hydrators like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian brand offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners that suit dry and dry sensitive skin best, with specific formulas for acne, dark spots, and aging. Meanwhile, the American brand features a thoughtful range of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens tailored for acne-prone and combination skin through supportive formulations. Ultimately, both lines differ in their specific product lineups and ideal skin types while sharing foundational active ingredients.

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

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CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs CeraVe products

People Say

The OrdinaryCeraVe
  • Gentle and safe for sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “no redness after washing — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Great value and affordable price 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%”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • 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 looks smoother and brighter — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Clears acne and fades dark spots Mostly 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”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin irritation, stinging, and burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Face feels like it's on fire — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Sticky or heavy residue finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “left a sticky film — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Pilling and makeup application struggles Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “pills and rolls — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better?

The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas CeraVe has a High routine fit on the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

The products on this page from The Ordinary provide a Superior routine fit across all skin types compared to CeraVe. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers great value and effective serums for texture, acne, and dark spots, while CeraVe is praised for lightweight moisturizers, deep hydration, and gentle cleansers.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi rates the routine fit as Superior for The Ordinary and High for CeraVe. The products on this page help provide deep hydration and moisture.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer cleansers that fit sensitive skin at a High level on the products on this page. CeraVe helps deliver gentle, non-stripping cleansing, while The Ordinary provides options that are well-suited for a variety of skin types.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers on the products on this page frequently praise its great value and budget-friendly serums compared to CeraVe.

How do the morning routines for dry skin compare between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

For dry skin, The Ordinary morning routine uses the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, Propolis Synergy Toner, Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, and Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen, whereas the CeraVe morning routine features the Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Propolis Synergy Toner, Skin Renewing Night Cream, and Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen.

Which brand performs better for mature skin according to routine fit and reviewer feedback?

The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas CeraVe has a High fit level. Reviewers indicate that The Ordinary does better for improving skin texture and smoothness.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, while CeraVe has a High routine fit. Reviewers say that The Ordinary helps clear acne and fades dark spots better, whereas CeraVe is noted for lightweight and non-greasy moisturizers.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that both brands offer high-performing moisturizers, but Lovi routine fit shows The Ordinary reaches a Superior fit for dry skin while CeraVe achieves a High fit. CeraVe moisturizers are frequently noted for deep hydration and lightweight, non-greasy finishes, whereas The Ordinary focuses on affordable value.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, whereas CeraVe has a High fit level. The Ordinary features fragrance-free products on this page and is noted for being gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, while CeraVe also has a Superior routine fit. The Ordinary products on this page are often noted for acne-clearing serums.

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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