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The Ordinary vs CeraVe

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

The Ordinary and CeraVe are popular skincare brands that offer serums, cleansers, and moisturizers built around hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The Canadian brand specializes in targeted treatments like squalane-infused formulas for dry and sensitive skin, whereas the American brand is known for soothing formulations that suit acne-prone skin best. While both brands rely on hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction and glycerin to improve hydration and barrier function, they differ in their specific product lineups 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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CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs CeraVe products

People Say

The OrdinaryCeraVe
  • Gentle and safe for sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “no redness after washing — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Great value and affordable price Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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%”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • 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 looks smoother and brighter — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Clears acne and fades dark spots Mostly 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”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin irritation, stinging, and burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Face feels like it's on fire — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Sticky or heavy residue finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “left a sticky film — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Pilling and makeup application struggles Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “pills and rolls — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better?

The Ordinary offers a Superior fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, dry sensitive, and dark-spot-prone skin, while CeraVe is a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

The Ordinary delivers a Superior routine fit for dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin, while CeraVe offers a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin. Both brands provide fragrance-free options, but CeraVe focuses on ceramides for barrier repair, whereas The Ordinary emphasizes targeted active ingredients like acids and peptides.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for dry skin?

For dry skin, the products on this page show that The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit while CeraVe has a High fit level. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration to improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe offer excellent cleansers, with CeraVe standing out for sensitive skin and acne care, while The Ordinary features great value options like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser. Reviewers frequently praise CeraVe for gentle, non-stripping cleansers and effective acne and oil control, whereas The Ordinary is noted for affordable value and gentle formulas.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers great value and affordable price compared to CeraVe according to the review themes on this page.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which brand does a better job of improving skin texture and smoothness?

The Ordinary does a better job of improving skin texture and smoothness. Reviewers often mention its texture-smoothing serums as a standout benefit.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which brand provides deeper hydration and moisture?

CeraVe does better for deep hydration and moisture. Reviewers frequently note its deep hydration, and Lovi rates its routine fit for dry sensitive skin as High and dry skin as High.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for oily skin?

For oily skin, both brands work well, but the products on this page show that The Ordinary fits best with a Superior routine level compared to CeraVe's High level. Reviewers mention that The Ordinary delivers great value and improves skin texture, while CeraVe is known for lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and effective cleansers for oil.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing the moisturizers on this page, both brands offer great options, but CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for deep hydration and dry skin routines. The Ordinary also provides highly rated moisturizers like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, which feature key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to help support skin hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or CeraVe for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary provides Superior routine fit for sensitive skin on this page, whereas CeraVe offers High fit. The products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, CeraVe is superior, whereas the products on this page for The Ordinary offer a high fit level.

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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