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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, with the Canadian brand established in 2016 and the American company founded in 1986. The Ordinary offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry and sensitive skin best. Conversely, Dermalogica provides targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks formulated with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid, fitting dry and oily skin best. While both utilize hydrating staples, the first brand specializes in single-ingredient concentrations for specific concerns like acne, dark spots, and aging, whereas the latter focuses on comprehensive formulations for complex 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 · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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?

When comparing The Ordinary and Dermalogica, both brands achieve equal routine fit levels for dry, oily, combination, and mature skin, while The Ordinary reaches a superior fit for sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Dermalogica?

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

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dry skin?

Both brands offer a superior routine fit for dry skin, though they differ in pricing and key benefits. The Ordinary provides budget-friendly options and features products like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, while Dermalogica focuses on intense hydration with products such as Circular Hydration Serum.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer cleansers with high fit levels across multiple skin types on the products on this page, but reviewers say Dermalogica cleansers are notably gentle and non-stripping.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as value and pricing are review themes where it does better than Dermalogica.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dark spots?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary is a better fit for skin with dark spots than Dermalogica, as Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior for this skin type while Dermalogica is rated High.

Which brand has better hydration and plumping benefits, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

Dermalogica does better for hydration and plumping. The products on this page help deliver intense hydration and smooth skin texture.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer a superior routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides better acne-clearing and blemish control, while Dermalogica excels in lightweight absorption.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, the products on this page show that both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer strong options, with Dermalogica being particularly noted for intense hydration and soothing formulas. The Ordinary provides great value, while Dermalogica is frequently praised for gentle, non-stripping hydration.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi finds The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit and Dermalogica has a High routine fit. Reviewers say The Ordinary offers better value, while Dermalogica provides more intense hydration.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates both The Ordinary as Superior and Dermalogica as High. Review themes show The Ordinary does better for acne clearing and blemish control.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for mature skin?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer equal routine fit levels for mature skin, as Lovi rates both brands as Superior for this skin type. Reviewers often mention that products on this page help with skin smoothing and anti-aging benefits.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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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