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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 skincare brands that offer reliable daily formulas like serums, moisturizers, and cleansers. The former relies on key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to fit dry, sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin. Meanwhile, the latter enriches its protective sunscreens and gentle cleansers with similar hydrating compounds to suit mature and dry skin best. Ultimately, they differ in their origin and specific targeted treatments, though both deliver proven results for barrier health.

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

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The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better?

The products on this page show that both brands fit dry skin, though The Ordinary is rated Superior while CeraVe is rated High. CeraVe does better for deep hydration and moisture, while The Ordinary offers better value and affordability.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers affordable, high-value serums that help improve skin texture, clear acne, and fade dark spots, whereas CeraVe delivers lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and gentle cleansers that provide deep hydration and are safe for sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for dry skin?

The Ordinary offers a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while CeraVe offers a High fit. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer cleansers with a High or Superior fit for oily, combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types. CeraVe tends to do better for gentle, non-stripping cleansing and deep hydration, while The Ordinary offers great value.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering great value serums that reviewers frequently praise.

Which brand is better for targeting dark spots, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary does better for clearing acne and fading dark spots. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which performs better for mature skin?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe achieve a Superior fit for mature skin among the products on this page.

Which brand has better options for acne-clearing serums?

The Ordinary has better options for acne-clearing serums, as its products on this page are frequently noted by reviewers for clearing acne. Niacinamide helps control oil and blemishes, while salicylic acid and various acids target breakouts.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, while CeraVe has a High routine fit. The products on this page for oily skin may benefit from ingredients like niacinamide, which helps control pigmentation, and hyaluronic acid, which supports deep hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, the products on this page show that The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while CeraVe achieves a High fit level. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or CeraVe for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary provides a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, whereas CeraVe fits at a High level. CeraVe also does better for being gentle and safe for sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands work well, but The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit compared to CeraVe's High level. The Ordinary offers products on this page that help clear acne, while CeraVe provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers that are effective for oily and acne-prone 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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