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The Ordinary vs Simple

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

The Ordinary and Simple are accessible skincare brands that respectively offer targeted, ingredient-driven serums and comforting cleansers or moisturizers. The Canadian line relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry and dry sensitive skin, whereas the British brand incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to care best for oily and acne-prone skin. While both share a dedication to nourishing formulations, the former specializes in intensive treatments for specific textural concerns, and the latter focuses on gentle, everyday essentials.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Simple products

People Say

The OrdinarySimple
  • Great value and affordability 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%”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Good for sensitive skin Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “cleared up my dry patches — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Clears acne and blemishes Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often MentionedNot 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%”
  • Breakouts and purging Sometimes 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”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Insufficient moisture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Struggles with waterproof makeup Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “leaves a tacky film — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Simple: which is better?

The Ordinary delivers a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Simple, which has a High fit level. For shoppers seeking targeted treatments, the products on this page help smooth texture, clear acne, and fade dark spots.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Simple?

The Ordinary is often preferred for its great value and skin-clearing serums, while Simple tends to be chosen for sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers and lightweight hydration. Lovi rates The Ordinary as having a superior routine fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin, and a high fit for acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin. Lovi rates Simple as having a high routine fit across all of these same skin types.

The Ordinary or Simple for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas Simple achieves a High fit on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary outperforms Simple for cleansing, offering a Superior routine fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, and dry sensitive skin types. The Ordinary features options like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, while Simple provides everyday choices such as the Refreshing Facial Wash.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary is more affordable than Simple, as the products on this page offer great value and affordability.

The Ordinary or Simple: which brand is better for reducing dark spots?

The Ordinary is better for reducing dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots compared to Simple's High fit level. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Simple: which is better for mature skin?

The Ordinary is superior for mature skin, whereas Simple has a high routine fit on the products on this page. Retinol helps reduce signs of aging and stimulates collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

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

Which brand has a wider selection of serums?

The Ordinary offers a much wider selection of serums on this page than Simple, covering targeted treatments like acids, peptides, and retinoids. Simple focuses primarily on basic cleansers, makeup removers, and lightweight moisturizers rather than specialized serums.

The Ordinary or Simple for oily skin?

The Ordinary is Lovi's superior choice for oily skin, while Simple is rated as a high fit. The Ordinary features a wider range of targeted treatments that help manage excess oil and clear blemishes.

The Ordinary or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for dry skin moisturization on this page, whereas Simple moisturizers are an Average fit. The Ordinary products on this page help provide deep hydration and skin-smoothing benefits.

The Ordinary or Simple for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi finds that The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, while Simple offers a High fit. The Ordinary products on this page are rated as having no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Simple fit acne-prone skin well, but Lovi rates The Ordinary as having a High routine fit compared to Simple's High fit level. The Ordinary products on this page are known for clearing acne and blemishes, while Simple focuses on gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly care.

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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