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The Ordinary vs Caudalie

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

The Ordinary and Caudalie are distinct skincare brands that offer serums, moisturizers, toners, and more. The Canadian brand founded in 2016 relies on science-driven ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, whereas the French brand founded in 1995 is beloved for botanical formulas. Both brands suit dry skin best, though their specialized solutions cater to various complexions. The Ordinary focuses on targeted clinical compounds, while its counterpart delivers gentle efficacy through thoughtful formulations.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Caudalie is a French skincare brand founded in 1995.

en.wikipedia.orgen.caudalie.compitchbook.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Caudalie products

People Say

The OrdinaryCaudalie
  • Redness and sensitivity Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “calms my redness — Caudalie Grape Water”
  • Acne clearing and blemish reduction Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “cleared my hormonal acne — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser”
  • Skin smoothing and texture improvement Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Caudalie Instant Detox Mask”
  • Great value and affordable 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%”
  • Pleasant scent and refreshing aromas Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “gives a glass-skin look — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “wakes up my skin — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
  • Hydration and plumping effects Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Provides intense hydration, smooths fine lines, and gives the skin an even, radiant appearance. — Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream”
    • “intense hydration — Caudalie Grape Water”
    • “skin feels plump — Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Cashmere Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Texture and pilling issues under makeup Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “tacky finish — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “does not remove make-up — Caudalie Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser”
    • “Incompatible with my makeup. — Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • High price point and value concerns Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues 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 strong — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner”
  • Stinging, harshness and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “burns my eyes — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “bit dry for daily use — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner”
    • “woke up swollen — Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which is better?

When comparing The Ordinary and Caudalie, both brands offer products on this page with strong benefits, but The Ordinary achieves a Superior fit level for dry sensitive, oily, combination, and sensitive skin types. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides great value and affordable pricing, while Caudalie is often associated with a high price point.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Caudalie?

The Ordinary offers more affordable, highly-rated serums that focus on straightforward ingredients and value, while Caudalie provides products featuring grape extracts and pleasant scents, though some of its items may carry a higher price tag.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie achieve a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas and key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, while Caudalie relies on grape-derived ingredients and includes fragrance in some products on this page.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers better cleanser choices for oily and acne-prone skin on this page, as products like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser reach a Superior fit compared to Caudalie's options. Reviewers also note that The Ordinary provides much better value and affordability for cleansers.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Caudalie?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers better affordability, as reviewers often mention its affordable and great value serums. In contrast, reviewers frequently note a high price point for Caudalie.

Between The Ordinary and Caudalie, which brand features products without any added fragrance?

The Ordinary is the brand where every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Caudalie includes added fragrance in some of its products.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Caudalie's High fit level. The Ordinary features a wider range of products tailored for controlling oil and breakouts with ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie offer exceptional moisturizers, with products like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and Premier Cru The Cream providing superior hydration for dry skin. Shoppers seeking great value often prefer The Ordinary, while those looking for a pleasant fragrance and luxurious texture may enjoy Caudalie.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Caudalie for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands work well, but Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and Caudalie as High. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers great value and effective, gentle options, while Caudalie products often feature refreshing formulas and pleasant scents.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie are great options, as Lovi rates their routines as High for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary offers better acne clearing and blemish reduction according to reviewer themes.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for dry sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Caudalie's High level. The Ordinary features fragrance-free products on the products on this page.

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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