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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 expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and more. The Canadian line relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry and dry sensitive skin best, while the French line anchors its dependable products in glycerin and retinol for dry skin and dark spots. Both brands differ in their founding heritages and specific ingredient combinations, yet each thoughtfully addresses targeted skin concerns with precision.

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

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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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or RoC: which is better?

Both brands are great choices, but The Ordinary is better for affordability and value, while RoC is better for anti-aging and wrinkle reduction. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

What is the difference between The Ordinary and RoC?

The Ordinary provides great value and pricing with fragrance-free products on this page, while RoC offers better wrinkle and fine line reduction. Retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

The Ordinary or RoC for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and RoC offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features key moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, while RoC offers hydrating options with ingredients like retinol and glycerin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Archives of Dermatology, 2007

The Ordinary or RoC: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and RoC offer great cleansers on this page, with choices like The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and RoC Barrier Renew Gel-to-Foam Cleanser. The Ordinary is well-loved for great value and pricing, while RoC is noted for a matte and non-greasy finish.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or RoC?

The Ordinary offers better affordability and value compared to RoC, as highlighted by reviewer feedback on pricing. This makes The Ordinary a budget-friendly option for shoppers looking for cost-effective skincare.

Between The Ordinary and RoC, which brand is better at reducing wrinkles and fine lines?

RoC does better at reducing wrinkles and fine lines, while both brands offer products that help with skin aging. RoC features key ingredients like retinol, which stimulates collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

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

Do products from The Ordinary or RoC contain added fragrance?

The products on this page from The Ordinary list no added fragrance in their ingredients. In contrast, 10 of the 12 products on this page from RoC list no fragrance, while the remaining two products do include fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate ownership of The Ordinary and RoC compare?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada and has been owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021. In contrast, RoC was founded earlier in 1957 in France and is owned by Bridgepoint Group plc as of 2024.

The Ordinary or RoC for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary offers a Superior routine fit, while RoC provides a High fit.

The Ordinary or RoC: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and RoC offer great moisturizers, with The Ordinary achieving a Superior routine fit for dry skin while RoC features strong hydrating options like the Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or RoC for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, The Ordinary offers a Superior routine fit, whereas RoC provides a High fit level. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance, which helps minimize potential irritation.

The Ordinary or RoC for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary and RoC both fit acne-prone skin well, with The Ordinary achieving a High fit level and RoC reaching a Superior 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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