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The Ordinary vs Pixi

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

The Ordinary and Pixi are popular skincare lines offering targeted daily care through distinct formulations. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry and dry sensitive skin best, while the British brand is beloved for toners, serums, eye products, and moisturizers that nourish mature and oily skin. Both provide specialized options for acne, dark spots, and aging, yet they differ in their core approach and ingredient focus.

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

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Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.

pixibeauty.comtracxn.compitchbook.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Pixi products

People Say

The OrdinaryPixi
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “deeply hydrates and balances — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “leaves under-eyes super soft — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • 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 feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • Great value and 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%”
  • Instant glow and radiance Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “healthy radiance — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “tight, bright and shiny — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs fairly quickly into the skin. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
    • “unique gel-like texture — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “absorbs really fast — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Redness reduction and soothing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “deflates morning bags — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “instantly cooling upon application — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
  • Sticky or tacky finish and residue Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “too greasy — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “slightly tacky to touch — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
  • Unpleasant or strong 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”
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • Skin stinging, burning, and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Massive burning sensation — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “burned my face — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Not for those with super-sensitive skin — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Makeup pilling and compatibility issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “separates foundation — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “It doesn't work with my makeup at all. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Pixi: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer great options, but Pixi is better for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin with a Superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary's High fit level. Both brands provide an equal Superior routine fit for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Pixi?

The Ordinary offers great value and pricing, while Pixi stands out for its deep hydration, instant glow, and lightweight absorption. Both brands achieve equal levels of routine fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin, though Pixi rates as Superior for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin compared to The Ordinary's High fit level.

The Ordinary or Pixi for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin. Shoppers often mention deep hydration with Pixi, while The Ordinary is praised for its affordable and great value serums.

The Ordinary or Pixi: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, The Ordinary fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin with a Superior Lovi fit level, offering products like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA that help deliver deep hydration without fragrance. Pixi also provides great hydration and radiance options, but some of its products may cause skin irritation and sensitivity.

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

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Pixi?

The Ordinary offers better value, as reviewers frequently highlight its serums for being affordable and great value.

Which brand has a stronger fragrance across its products, The Ordinary or Pixi?

Pixi has a stronger fragrance across its products on this page, as 3 of its 10 products list a fragrance in their ingredients, whereas every product from The Ordinary lists no fragrance. Reviewers also often note strong fragrance and scent issues for Pixi.

Which brand is better for reducing skin redness and soothing, The Ordinary or Pixi?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi perform equally well for redness reduction and soothing. Reviewers note that both brands help calm the skin effectively, though individual experiences may vary depending on the specific product.

The Ordinary or Pixi for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi fit oily skin at a Superior routine level. Pixi is noted for instant glow and radiance, while The Ordinary offers great value and pricing.

The Ordinary or Pixi for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a routine fit rated as Superior for sensitive skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulations across all products on this page, while 7 of 10 Pixi products list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Pixi for acne-prone skin?

Pixi fits acne-prone skin better, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary's High level. Pixi provides targeted acne-clearing and brightening benefits, though users may experience some skin stinging or irritation.

The Ordinary or Pixi for mature skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for mature skin on this page. Reviewers note that Pixi offers deeper hydration and instant glow, while The Ordinary provides great value and pricing.

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

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