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The Ordinary vs Pair

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

The Ordinary and Pair are distinct skincare brands designed for different complexions, with the former originating in Canada in 2016 and the latter established in Japan in 2000. The Ordinary is known for versatile serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, making it best suited for dry and dry sensitive skin. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand is beloved for targeted serums and meticulously crafted formulas like the Acne Cream W, which suit acne-prone skin best to address stubborn blemishes effectively. While the Canadian line focuses on moisture, barrier function, and collagen production through ingredients like squalane and glycerin, the latter brand works harmoniously to restore balance and clarity to the complexion.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Pair is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2000 and owned by Lion Corporation since 2004.

ja.wikipedia.orgbeautymatter.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Pair products

The Ordinary vs Pair serums and treatments

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Pair: which is better?

The Ordinary offers a much wider variety of products on this page and fits dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots best, whereas Pair only features a single acne cream with lower fit levels for those skin types.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Pair?

The Ordinary offers a large range of products featuring key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, whereas Pair is represented by just one product on this page, Acne Cream W. Reviewers frequently note that The Ordinary provides affordable serums with texture-smoothing and acne-clearing benefits, while both brands feature no fragrance in their products.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Pair?

The products on this page from The Ordinary are known by shoppers as affordable and great value serums, whereas Pair does not have this benefit noted for its single product.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The Ordinary or Pair?

Both The Ordinary and Pair offer products that help with breakouts, but The Ordinary provides a much wider range of acne-clearing serums on this page. Lovi rates several of The Ordinary products as having a High or Superior fit for acne-prone skin.

Which brand has more product options for dry and sensitive skin types?

The Ordinary has many more product options for dry and sensitive skin types, with numerous items rated High or Superior for dry sensitive skin on this page, while Pair features only one product which is rated Low for dry sensitive skin.

Do any products from The Ordinary or Pair contain fragrance in their ingredients?

Every product on this page from both The Ordinary and Pair lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

When was The Ordinary founded and who is its parent company?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada, and it has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

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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