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The Ordinary vs Caudalie

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

The Ordinary and Caudalie are distinct skincare lines founded respectively in Canada in 2016 and France in 1995. The Ordinary centers its clinical serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the French brand crafts botanical serums, refreshing toners, nourishing moisturizers, and targeted eye products from grape-derived formulas. Both options suit dry skin best, though the Canadian line also accommodates dry sensitive skin and the botanical brand addresses oily skin. They differ primarily in their formulation approach, as the first relies on targeted single-ingredient efficacy for acne, dark spots, and aging, whereas the latter utilizes natural extracts for balanced hydration, clarification, and targeted concerns like the Vinopure Purifying Toner, the Vinoperfect Glycolic Peel Mask, and Premier Cru The Cream.

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

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Caudalie is a French skincare brand founded in 1995.

en.wikipedia.orgen.caudalie.compitchbook.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Caudalie products

People Say

The OrdinaryCaudalie
  • Redness and sensitivity Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “calms my redness — Caudalie Grape Water”
  • 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”
    • “cleared my hormonal acne — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser”
  • Skin smoothing and texture improvement Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Caudalie Instant Detox Mask”
  • Great value and affordable 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%”
  • Pleasant scent and refreshing aromas Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “gives a glass-skin look — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “wakes up my skin — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
  • Hydration and plumping effects Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Provides intense hydration, smooths fine lines, and gives the skin an even, radiant appearance. — Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream”
    • “intense hydration — Caudalie Grape Water”
    • “skin feels plump — Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Cashmere Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Texture and pilling issues under makeup Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “tacky finish — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “does not remove make-up — Caudalie Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser”
    • “Incompatible with my makeup. — Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • High price point and value concerns Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues 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 strong — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner”
  • Stinging, harshness and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “burns my eyes — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “bit dry for daily use — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner”
    • “woke up swollen — Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which is better?

The Ordinary provides better value and acne-clearing serums on the products on this page, while Caudalie offers more refreshing aromas and hydration effects. Lovi gives The Ordinary a Superior routine fit for dry, combination, sensitive, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin, and a High fit for oily and acne-prone skin, whereas Caudalie gets a Superior fit for dry skin and a High fit for all other skin types.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Caudalie?

The Ordinary offers better value with more affordable products and higher overall routine fit for most skin types, whereas Caudalie features refreshing plant-based formulas with pleasant scents and strong hydration benefits. The products on this page help improve skin texture and hydration, and topical hyaluronic acid may help reduce signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Caudalie for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie achieve a Superior routine fit level for dry skin on this page. The Ordinary offers great value and affordable pricing, while Caudalie is noted for hydration and plumping effects.

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a better cleanser selection for most shoppers on this page, as every cleanser lists no fragrance and the products on this page provide great value. Reviewers note that The Ordinary delivers effective cleansing options with solid fit levels, while Caudalie cleansers can come with a high price or scent dislikes.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Caudalie?

The Ordinary offers better value, with reviewers frequently praising the brand for its affordable pricing across the products on this page, whereas Caudalie is often noted for its high price. Lovi rates The Ordinary as having a Superior routine fit for several skin types, making it a budget-friendly option.

How do The Ordinary and Caudalie compare regarding fragrance in their products?

The products on this page by The Ordinary list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas 12 of the 20 products on this page by Caudalie contain fragrance.

Which brand performs better for mature skin and skin with dark spots according to the routine fit levels?

Both brands offer great options, but The Ordinary performs better for mature skin and skin with dark spots, achieving a Superior routine fit level compared to Caudalie's High fit level for both concerns.

What do reviewers say about the scent and fragrance issues for both brands?

Reviewers note that The Ordinary products on this page may cause unpleasant scent or fragrance issues, while Caudalie reviewers frequently mention pleasant scent and refreshing aromas as well as occasional scent dislikes.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi finds The Ordinary to have a Superior routine fit, while Caudalie has a High routine fit. Reviewers often mention that the products on this page help provide gentle and non-irritating serums.

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie offer exceptional moisturizers, with routine fit levels for dry skin rated as Superior for the products on this page. The Ordinary features affordable options formulated without fragrance, while Caudalie provides luxurious hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Caudalie for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie achieve a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers report that The Ordinary is better for acne clearing and blemish reduction.

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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