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The Ordinary vs Pixi

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

The Ordinary and Pixi are popular skincare brands that offer thoughtfully formulated serums, moisturizers, and toners. The Canadian brand centers its offerings around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the British brand is universally loved for its nourishing and balancing creations. Both brands suit sensitive skin best, though the former also fits dry skin and the latter suits oily skin. While the former relies on clinical ingredients to target wrinkles, hydration, and collagen production, the latter maintains a refined complexion through gentle daily care.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.

pixibeauty.comtracxn.compitchbook.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Pixi products

People Say

The OrdinaryPixi
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
    • “deeply hydrates and balances — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “leaves under-eyes super soft — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • 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 feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • Great value and pricing Mostly MentionedNot 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%”
  • Instant glow and radiance Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives instant glow — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “healthy radiance — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “tight, bright and shiny — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs fairly quickly into the skin. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
    • “unique gel-like texture — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
    • “absorbs really fast — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Redness reduction and soothing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “deflates morning bags — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “instantly cooling upon application — Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Eye Patches”
    • “calms my redness instantly — Pixi Rose Tonic”
  • Sticky or tacky finish and residue Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “too greasy — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “slightly tacky to touch — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
  • Unpleasant or strong 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”
    • “smell is overpowering — Pixi Glow Tonic”
  • Skin stinging, burning, and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Massive burning sensation — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “burned my face — Pixi Glow Tonic”
    • “Not for those with super-sensitive skin — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Makeup pilling and compatibility issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “separates foundation — Pixi Glow Mist”
    • “It doesn't work with my makeup at all. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Pixi routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Pixi: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer great options, as Lovi shows them tied with equal routine fit levels across almost all skin types. The Ordinary stands out for its budget-friendly serums, while Pixi is often praised for delivering deep hydration and instant glow.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Pixi?

The Ordinary offers great value serums and products with no added fragrance on this page, while Pixi delivers deep hydration and instant glow with some scented products. Both brands provide a Superior routine fit for dry, sensitive, oily, combination, acne-prone, and mature skin types. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Pixi for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or Pixi: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer moisturizers and face oils that fit dry skin very well with a Superior routine level, while The Ordinary also provides options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and Squalane Cleanser featuring key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and squalane. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and wound healing. Pixi features options like the Rose Oil Blend, with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid across its range.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Pixi?

The Ordinary offers better value, as reviewers on this page frequently praise its affordable and great value serums.

Between The Ordinary and Pixi, which brand offers better hydration and plumping according to reviewers?

Between The Ordinary and Pixi, Pixi does better for hydration and plumping according to reviewers.

How do the fragrance profiles compare between The Ordinary and Pixi products?

The products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance across their entire lineup, whereas several Pixi products include added scent. Pixi's formulas occasionally cause strong fragrance and scent issues, while The Ordinary avoids fragrance completely.

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

Pixi performs better for oily acne-prone skin routine fit, achieving a Superior level compared to the High level of The Ordinary.

The Ordinary or Pixi for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for oily skin. Pixi also has a slight edge for oily acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for The Ordinary.

The Ordinary or Pixi for sensitive skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. The Ordinary features no fragrance across its range, whereas some Pixi products may cause skin irritation and sensitivity.

The Ordinary or Pixi for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer products on this page that reach a superior routine fit level for acne-prone skin. Reviewers note that Pixi excels at deep hydration and lightweight absorption for this skin type, while The Ordinary is praised for offering great value 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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