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The Ordinary vs L'Oreal Paris

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

The Ordinary and L'Oreal Paris are respected skincare brands that offer distinct approaches to daily care. The Ordinary, a Canadian line founded in 2016, features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry and sensitive skin best. Meanwhile, the French brand founded in 1909 is beloved for its thoughtful range of serums, moisturizers, masks, and eye products that frequently harness hyaluronic acid and glycerin for acne-prone and oily skin. While both rely on science-backed hydrating ingredients, they differ in their foundational formulations and ideal skin types.

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

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L'Oreal Paris is a French skincare brand founded in 1909 and owned by L'Oréal S.A..

en.wikipedia.orgloreal.comloreal-paris.co.ukcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs L'Oreal Paris products

People Say

The OrdinaryL'Oreal Paris
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “melts into skin — L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream”
    • “glides on easily without residue — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream”
    • “skin is a lot smoother — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night Serum”
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “wake up with soft skin — L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling plump and dewy all day. — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift”
    • “Skin feels softer and more supple — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Night Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and Pricing 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%”
  • Brightening and Dark Spots Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin looks luminous — L'Oreal Paris Glycolic Bright”
    • “significant reduction in the appearance of dark spots — L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal 12% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum”
    • “skin looks glowing — L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
  • Acne 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”
    • “After two uses, my pores were clean! — L'Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Mask”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “No irritation at all — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “very gentle, didn't irritate my skin — L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal 12% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum”
  • Ineffective Results and Conflicts Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no change in pigment — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “Struggles to get my waterproof mascara off completely. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Used the whole jar but saw no change in wrinkles. — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift”
    • “doesn't do anything about the discoloration — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream”
  • Irritation and Stinging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “retinol can be irritating for sensitive skin — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Cream”
    • “burnt my face after two uses — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night Serum”
  • Sticky or Greasy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Balls up when I try to apply foundation over it. — L'Oreal Paris Revitalift”
    • “felt oily on my face — L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Cream”
    • “feels a little sticky and tacky — L'Oreal Paris Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs L'Oreal Paris routines for dry skin

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The Ordinary vs L'Oreal Paris routines for oily skin

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The Ordinary vs L'Oreal Paris routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

The Ordinary or L'Oreal Paris: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and L'Oreal Paris offer superior routine fits for most skin types, but they serve different preferences. The Ordinary is often favored for value and gentle formulations, whereas L'Oreal Paris is frequently praised for deep hydration and luxurious textures.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and L'Oreal Paris?

The Ordinary is often preferred for acne-prone skin and offers great value, whereas L'Oreal Paris excels in hydration, texture, and brightening. Lovi shows that The Ordinary has a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while L'Oreal Paris achieves a High fit for that skin type.

The Ordinary or L'Oreal Paris for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and L'Oreal Paris are a Superior fit for dry skin based on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or L'Oreal Paris: which moisturizer is better?

The Ordinary is a better choice for moisturizers due to its strong focus on fragrance-free formulas and exceptional fit for dry and sensitive skin. L'Oreal Paris moisturizers provide deep hydration and luxurious textures, though several products on that page contain fragrance and may cause irritation.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or L'Oreal Paris?

The Ordinary offers better value and affordability among the products on this page compared to L'Oreal Paris. Reviewers highlight The Ordinary for providing affordable and great value serums.

Between The Ordinary and L'Oreal Paris, which brand is better suited for addressing dark spots and brightening?

Both The Ordinary and L'Oreal Paris have a Superior fit for skin with dark spots. L'Oreal Paris does better for brightening and dark spots, while The Ordinary products on this page offer great value and have no added fragrance.

Which brand performs better for texture-smoothing serums, The Ordinary or L'Oreal Paris?

L'Oreal Paris performs better for texture and absorption based on the reviews of the products on this page. The Ordinary is noted for texture-smoothing serums as an often mentioned benefit, but L'Oreal Paris takes the lead in this specific category.

How do the corporate backgrounds and ownership differ between The Ordinary and L'Oreal Paris?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. L'Oreal Paris was founded in France in 1909 and is owned by L'Oréal S.A.

The Ordinary or L'Oreal Paris for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and L'Oreal Paris provide a Superior routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that The Ordinary does better for acne and blemish control, while L'Oreal Paris excels in hydration, moisture, texture, absorption, and brightening.

The Ordinary or L'Oreal Paris for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to L'Oreal Paris which reaches a High fit level.

The Ordinary or L'Oreal Paris for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin. The products on this page for The Ordinary are noted for acne-clearing serums.

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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