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The Ordinary vs Dermalogica

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

The Ordinary and Dermalogica are distinct skincare lines created to address diverse dermal needs through targeted formulations. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the American brand relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid within its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks to suit oily skin and combination skin best. While both utilize science-led ingredients to improve hydration and barrier function, they differ in their core active agents and ideal skin types.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Dermalogica products

People Say

The OrdinaryDermalogica
  • Value and pricing Mostly MentionedRarely 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%”
    • “little goes a long way — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin texture smoothing Often MentionedSometimes 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%”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “Sinks in beautifully — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Acne clearing and blemish control Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Unpleasant scent 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”
    • “smells like puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Stinging and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “burns immediately — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “caused severe peeling — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Prickle sensation — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Breakouts and skin reactions Rarely 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”
    • “Cystic acne flare-ups — Dermalogica Precleanse”

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which is better?

The Ordinary offers better value and prices for the products on this page, whereas Dermalogica excels in providing more intense hydration and soothing moisturizers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Dermalogica?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., whereas Dermalogica was founded in 1986 in the United States and is owned by Unilever. The products on this page show that The Ordinary fits best for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots, while Dermalogica fits best for oily skin, combination skin, and mature skin.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dry skin?

The Ordinary fits dry skin better than Dermalogica, providing a superior routine level compared to Dermalogica's high level. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page from The Ordinary generally offer better value, while Dermalogica cleansers are often noted for providing gentle, non-stripping hydration.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary offers better value and pricing among the products on this page compared to Dermalogica.

Which brand performs better for mature skin between The Ordinary and Dermalogica?

The Ordinary performs better for mature skin on the products on this page, offering a superior routine fit compared to Dermalogica's high fit. Topical retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation and reduce collagen degradation in naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Dermalogica was founded in the United States in 1986 and is owned by Unilever.

What key ingredients are found across products from both The Ordinary and Dermalogica?

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are key ingredients found across the products on this page for both The Ordinary and Dermalogica.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer a Superior routine fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides better acne-clearing and blemish control on the products on this page, while Dermalogica excels in lightweight absorption.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer moisturizers, but the products on this page show that The Ordinary fits dry skin at a superior level, while Dermalogica fits it at a high level. Reviewers state that Dermalogica provides intense hydration and soothing moisturizers, whereas The Ordinary is noted for value and pricing.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a superior fit for sensitive skin compared to Dermalogica on this page. Reviewers report that The Ordinary offers great value and effective skin texture smoothing with products that contain no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin. The products on this page show that The Ordinary has superior routine fit levels for most skin types, including sensitive and combination skin.

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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