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The Ordinary vs RoC

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

The Ordinary and RoC are accessible skincare brands offering diverse serums, moisturizers, and cleansers built around proven ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and retinol. The Canadian brand centers its formulations on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, making it particularly well suited for dry skin, sensitive skin, and targeted concerns like acne, dark spots, and aging. Meanwhile, the French brand relies on glycerin and retinol to deliver deeply nourishing care that best serves mature skin and dry skin. Both lines differ through their distinct heritage and active profiles, inviting readers to weigh specific ingredient benefits against individual hydration and anti-aging goals.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

RoC is a French skincare brand founded in 1957 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2024.

en.wikipedia.orgprnewswire.combeautymatter.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs RoC products

People Say

The OrdinaryRoC
  • Skin Texture Smoothing Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “diminished my forehead lines — RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum”
    • “face looked smoother — RoC Daily Resurfacing Disks”
  • Great 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%”
    • “Worth the price — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Hydration and Plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin is no longer dry — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream”
    • “Areas stay hydrated all day — RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream”
    • “My skin looks smoother and hydrated. — RoC Derm Correxion Contour Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “doesn't leave my skin feeling tight — RoC BARRIER RENEW® GEL-TO-FOAM CLEANSER”
    • “No irritation for me — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Effective Wrinkle and Fine Line Reduction Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “wrinkles look less deep — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Fine lines definitely softer — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “crow's feet are fading — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum”
  • Matte and Non-Greasy Finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs nicely — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
    • “Absorbs easily and quickly — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “absorbs quickly without residue — RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Unpleasant Scent and Fragrance Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “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 perfume — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
  • Skin Irritation and Harshness Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “ruined moisture barrier — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Caused breakouts — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “caused redness and burning — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “caused redness and stinging — RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream”
  • Sticky and Tacky Finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “slightly tacky feel — RoC Multi Correxion Revive + Glow Daily Serum”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs RoC routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs RoC routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs RoC routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or RoC: which is better?

Both brands offer a superior fit for mature skin, but RoC does better for wrinkle and fine line reduction. Retinol stimulates collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

What is the difference between The Ordinary and RoC?

The Ordinary offers more affordable, fragrance-free options that fit oily and sensitive skin better, while RoC focuses more on anti-aging and hydration with retinol and vitamin C. Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for mature skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots.

The Ordinary or RoC for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and RoC are great for dry skin, with Lovi giving both brands a Superior fit level for this skin type. RoC helps with hydration and plumping, while the products on this page from The Ordinary provide affordable value and every product lists no fragrance.

The Ordinary or RoC: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and RoC offer cleansers on this page that are a High fit for dry, sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin types. The Ordinary glyceryl and foaming cleanser options provide great value, while RoC provides barrier-renewing formulas that help clean the skin gently.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or RoC?

The Ordinary offers better affordability and value among the products on this page. Reviewers frequently note its serums as affordable and great value.

Which brand has more products with fragrance, The Ordinary or RoC?

RoC has more products with fragrance, as 10 of its 12 products on this page list no fragrance while 2 do, whereas every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

How do The Ordinary and RoC compare in terms of wrinkle and fine line reduction?

RoC does better than The Ordinary for effective wrinkle and fine line reduction. RoC features ingredients like retinol, which stimulates collagen accumulation to help improve naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

Which brand is better suited for mature skin, The Ordinary or RoC?

Both The Ordinary and RoC achieve a Superior routine fit for mature skin. RoC may help with wrinkle and fine line reduction, while The Ordinary products on this page help provide great value and pricing.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

The Ordinary or RoC for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better choice for oily skin, as the products on this page offer a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit provided by RoC. Additionally, The Ordinary is known for offering great value and pricing for its oil-focused serums.

The Ordinary or RoC: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and RoC offer great moisturizers, with The Ordinary being particularly notable for its budget-friendly value and fragrance-free formulas. RoC helps provide effective hydration and plumping for mature skin using ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or RoC for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both The Ordinary and RoC perform well, but The Ordinary has a superior routine fit compared to RoC's high fit. Furthermore, every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance, whereas some RoC products contain added scent.

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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