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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 prominent skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and makeup removers built around key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian brand fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best with formulations that lengthen wrinkle reduction, increase epidermal thickness, and collagen production, while the British brand suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best through gentle formulations featuring niacinamide and glycerin. Both companies differ in their specific targeted concerns and ingredient profiles, with the former providing specialized acids for acne, dark spots, and mature skin, and the latter delivering soothing toners and micellar waters.

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 · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% 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 offers superior routines for dry, oily, combination, and other skin types compared to Simple. The Ordinary helps clear acne and smooth skin texture, while Simple is noted for being good for sensitive skin and lightweight absorption.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Simple?

The Ordinary offers a much larger selection of targeted serums and treatments with high value and affordability, while Simple focuses on gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly cleansers and makeup removers. Lovi finds The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit across all skin types compared to Simple's High fit.

The Ordinary or Simple for dry skin?

The Ordinary is the better option for dry skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for Simple. 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 cleansers with higher Lovi fit levels across skin types, such as the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser which has a Superior fit for dry skin. Simple provides options like the Refreshing Facial Wash, which has lower fit levels for dry skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as it is noted for great value and affordability compared to Simple. The products on this page offer budget-friendly options for shoppers seeking cost-effective skincare.

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

The Ordinary performs better for smoothing skin texture among the products on this page. Reviewers frequently mention its texture-smoothing serums as a key benefit.

How do the founding years and parent companies of The Ordinary and Simple compare?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada and has been owned by The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021, whereas Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Unilever PLC.

Which brand has better options for hydration and plumping, The Ordinary or Simple?

Simple has better options for hydration and plumping, as it is noted for offering superior hydration compared to The Ordinary. Hyaluronic acid helps provide moisturizing and anti-aging benefits for the skin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is Superior for sensitive skin according to Lovi fit ratings, while Simple also offers good options. Both brands list no fragrance across their products on this page.

The Ordinary or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

The Ordinary offers superior moisturizer options on this page for dry skin, while Simple products on this page are rated as having an average fit for dry skin. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and anti-aging benefits.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page help clear acne and blemishes more effectively. Lovi rates the routine fit for acne-prone skin as Superior for The Ordinary and High for Simple.

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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