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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 lines offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and soothing eye treatments built around ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian brand centers on science-driven formulas tailored for dry, dry sensitive, and acne-prone skin, while the British brand is universally loved for gentle, balancing routines suited to sensitive and dry sensitive skin. Both lines differ in their specific targeted solutions, such as high-performing acids for blemishes or dark spots, and nourishing toners for 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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Pixi: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer superior routines for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, dry sensitive skin, and dark spots, while Pixi is superior for acne-prone skin and mature skin. The Ordinary provides great value and pricing, whereas Pixi delivers deep hydration and instant glow.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Pixi?

The Ordinary provides great value serums, whereas Pixi stands out for delivering deep hydration, instant glow, and lightweight absorption. Both brands achieve equal levels of routine fit across many skin types, but Pixi tends to have stronger fragrance issues in some products.

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 products on this page and provides great value, while Pixi is noted for deep hydration and instant glow.

The Ordinary or Pixi: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, The Ordinary provides exceptional value with formulations like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, which uses sodium hyaluronate to help improve skin hydration. Pixi offers deeply hydrating options such as its Rose Oil Blend, though reviewers note that Pixi products may occasionally cause a sticky or tacky finish. Both brands feature strong hydrating ingredients across the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Pixi?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its great value and pricing. Pixi does not have this advantage on the products on this page.

Which brand performs better for mature skin and skin with dark spots?

Pixi performs better for mature skin with a superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary, while both brands offer a superior routine fit for skin with dark spots. Topical vitamin A helps improve naturally aged skin.

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

How do the fragrance options differ between The Ordinary and Pixi products?

The products on this page from The Ordinary list no fragrance across their entire range. In contrast, 7 of 10 products on this page from Pixi list no fragrance, while the remaining ones contain fragrance.

Which brand offers better results for hydration, plumping, and radiant glow?

Pixi offers better results for hydration, plumping, and radiant glow compared to The Ordinary. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

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

The Ordinary or Pixi for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for oily skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page, while Pixi provides lightweight absorption and instant glow.

The Ordinary or Pixi for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Pixi offer a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas 7 of 10 products on the Pixi page list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Pixi for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Pixi achieves a Superior routine fit while The Ordinary reaches a High fit. Pixi excels in acne-prone skin routines, though users note that Pixi may cause skin stinging, burning, and irritation.

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

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