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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 accessible skin care brands offering diverse daily formulas built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Ordinary features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners suited best for dry and dry sensitive skin, while its counterpart is celebrated for dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and protective sunscreens that favor mature and dry skin. Both utilize ingredients like hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction duration and glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and barrier function. Ultimately, they differ in their specific product lineups and founding origins, yet each delivers proven results for targeted concerns such as acne, dark spots, and aging.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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

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The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your specific skin goals, as the products on this page offer tailored benefits. The Ordinary excels with affordable, targeted treatments for acne and dark spots, while CeraVe provides gentle, deeply hydrating formulas centered around ceramides to support the skin barrier.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers budget-friendly targeted serums with great value, while CeraVe delivers gentle, lightweight moisturizers and cleansers that provide deep hydration. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, but The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit compared to CeraVe's High level. The products on this page for both brands feature key hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which help support moisture retention.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?

When comparing cleansers, The Ordinary products on this page have an average to high fit for most skin types with options like the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, while CeraVe offers highly rated choices like the Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Foaming Facial Cleanser that are well known for being gentle and effective for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers better affordability, as reviewers frequently praise the brand for providing great value and budget-friendly serums across the products on this page.

Which brand is better for improving skin texture and smoothness?

The Ordinary does better for improving skin texture and smoothness. The products on this page offer texture-smoothing serums that reviewers often mention as a praised benefit.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for oily skin?

For oily skin, both The Ordinary and CeraVe fit well, with The Ordinary rated Superior and CeraVe rated High on this page. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers great value serums and clears acne well, while CeraVe is praised for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and effective cleansers for oil.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer moisturizers on this page that provide deep hydration and nourishment for dry skin. The Ordinary features options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA which has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while CeraVe offers barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides that help alleviate dryness.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or CeraVe for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, The Ordinary provides a Superior routine fit, while CeraVe fits at a High level. Both brands feature fragrance-free products on this page.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe provide products on this page that fit acne-prone skin well, with equal routine fit levels of High. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers acne-clearing serums, while CeraVe provides effective cleansers for acne and oil.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, The Ordinary is the better option on this page, as it features superior routine fit and products that target pigmentation. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or CeraVe for mature skin?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe fit mature skin well, with a routine fit of Superior for both brands. The products on this page help improve skin texture and moisture, and ingredients like retinol may stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

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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