🇮🇹Italy

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo

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

The Ordinary and Hada Labo are distinct skincare lines originating from Canada and Japan, respectively. The Canadian brand centers its offerings on targeted serums and moisturizers featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Japanese brand is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the former additionally caters to sensitive and acne-prone skin with standalone treatments, and the latter expertly restores moisture and soothes irritation for acne-prone skin. They differ primarily in their formulation philosophies, as the North American range focuses on single-ingredient efficacy for mature skin and dark spots, whereas the Asian line relies on advanced, harmonious formulas to support a healthy skin barrier.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

en.wikipedia.orghadalabosa.co.zahadalabotokyo.pl

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Hada Labo products

People Say

The OrdinaryHada Labo
  • Affordable value and great price Mostly MentionedSometimes 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%”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Deep hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Lightweight absorption and texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Fades dark spots and marks Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Clears and improves acne 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”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “Can feel tacky on the skin — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and clogging Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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 — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Thick texture and issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Greasy in humidity — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo are great choices, as Lovi rates their routines as equally fit for most skin types. The Ordinary offers better affordability and options for clearing acne, while Hada Labo is often noted for deeper hydration and lightweight absorption.

Drug Delivery, 2017

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Hada Labo?

The Ordinary offers more affordable value and helps clear acne with its targeted serums, while Hada Labo tends to provide deeper hydration and lighter absorption through its fragrance-free toners. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels for dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, and mature skin types.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo are a superior fit for dry skin, as they both offer targeted hydration routines for this skin type. The products on this page help deliver deep moisturization using key ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo offer moisturizers that achieve superior fit levels for dry skin. Hada Labo may provide better deep hydration and plumping, while the products on this page from The Ordinary provide exceptional affordability and value.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering lower prices and better overall value for money across its product range.

Between The Ordinary and Hada Labo, which brand is better for fading dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo perform equally well for fading dark spots as shown on this page. Reviewers note that both brands help reduce pigmentation and improve uneven skin tone effectively.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

How do The Ordinary and Hada Labo compare regarding sticky or tacky finishes?

The Ordinary products on this page are sometimes noted for sticky or tacky finishes, whereas Hada Labo formulations are often mentioned to have this issue.

Which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin according to their routine fit?

Hada Labo performs better for oily acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while The Ordinary achieves a High level.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo are a Superior fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that The Ordinary does better for affordable value and clearing acne, while Hada Labo does better for deep hydration, lightweight absorption, and gentle formulations.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide a superior routine fit for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary helps clear blemishes with targeted acid and niacinamide treatments, while Hada Labo provides lightweight, deeply hydrating toners.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play