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The Ordinary vs No7

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

The Ordinary and No7 are two established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to everyday routines. The Canadian brand specializes in targeted serums and hydrators built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the British brand focuses on restorative creams and sunscreens featuring vitamin C, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid. The former suits dry sensitive and dry skin best, whereas the latter is ideal for mature and dry skin. While both share a foundation in hydration, they differ in heritage, ingredient focus, and specialized formulas.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

No7 is a British skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by Sycamore Partners since 2025.

cosmeticsbusiness.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular The Ordinary and No7 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The Ordinary vs No7 products

People Say

The OrdinaryNo7
  • Hydration, plumping, and value Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Skin feels softer — No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum”
    • “zero irritation — No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream”
  • Smoothes skin texture and improves glow Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “eliminated armpit odor — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “skin feels so soft — No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator”
    • “skin feels velvety — No7 Pure Retinol”
  • Reduces redness and clears acne Often MentionedNot noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Irritation, stinging, and breakouts Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Can be drying — No7 Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate”
    • “caused flaky skin — No7 Pure Retinol”
  • Texture and pilling issues under makeup Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs No7 routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs No7 routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs No7 routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or No7: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, but The Ordinary has an advantage for reducing redness, clearing acne, and fading dark spots, while No7 is particularly well-suited for mature skin. For products on this page, Niacinamide helps control pigmentation and skin aging.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between The Ordinary and No7?

The Ordinary is often a better choice for reducing redness, clearing acne, and fading dark spots, whereas No7 tends to excel with mature skin and provides deeply hydrating anti-aging care. Lovi rates routine fit for The Ordinary as Superior on dry skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin, while No7 achieves a Superior routine fit for mature skin. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer, which supports even skin tone.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or No7 for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and No7 offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free options like the Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA moisturizer, while No7 includes nourishing choices such as the Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or No7: which moisturizer is better?

The Ordinary is often a better choice for moisturizers due to its fragrance-free formulations and specialized hydration options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA. No7 also offers rich moisturizers such as Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream, though some of its products on this page contain added fragrance.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or No7?

The products on this page for The Ordinary include affordable and great value serums as a commonly noted benefit by reviewers, whereas No7 has no such focus mentioned on the page.

Which brand is better suited for mature skin, The Ordinary or No7?

No7 is better suited for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary's High fit on this page. Retinol helps reduce signs of aging and stimulates collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

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

How do The Ordinary and No7 compare when dealing with skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, The Ordinary reaches a Superior Lovi fit level while No7 reaches a High level. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand performs better for reducing redness and clearing acne?

The Ordinary performs better for reducing redness and clears acne better than No7 based on the review themes on this page. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or No7 for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary provides a Superior routine fit, whereas No7 offers a High fit. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation, and reviewers note that The Ordinary products on this page are particularly effective for clearing acne.

Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or No7 for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to No7's High fit level. Furthermore, every product on The Ordinary's page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

The Ordinary or No7 for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and No7 offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary also features acne-clearing serums among 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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