The Ordinary vs Caudalie
The Ordinary and Caudalie are skincare brands that offer serums, moisturizers, and toners built around botanical formulas and ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian brand fits sensitive and dry sensitive skin best, while the French brand suits oily and sensitive skin through gentle, clarifying treatments. Both brands provide targeted solutions for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. They differ primarily in their founding years, ownership, and core ingredient philosophies.
The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.
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
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
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Cleanser
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 99.36
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 48.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
SAR 65.11
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
SAR 72.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 89.78
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
-
Cleanser
Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 62.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Vinoclean Moisturising Toner
Morning
SAR 147.13
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Moisturizer
Premier Cru The Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 509.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 185.13
-
Cleansing Toner
Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
SAR 187.00
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 814.57 · 90% fit
Buy Caudalie routine · SAR 1,531.24 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 99.36
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 39.70
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
SAR 72.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
SAR 55.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Once a week
SAR 97.75
-
Cleanser
Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 146.41
-
Hydrating Toner
Vinoclean Moisturising Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 147.13
-
Moisturizer
Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 118.95
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 185.13
-
Cleansing Toner
Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
SAR 187.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vinopure Blemish Control Salicylic Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 269.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Instant Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 153.56
Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 867.55 · 92% fit
Buy Caudalie routine · SAR 1,411.64 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Glycolipid Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 99.36
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 39.70
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Evening
SAR 72.29
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Evening · Once a week
SAR 55.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Once a week
SAR 97.75
-
Cleanser
Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 146.41
-
Hydrating Toner
Vinoclean Moisturising Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 147.13
-
Moisturizer
Vinopure Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 118.95
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 185.13
-
Cleansing Toner
Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
SAR 187.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Vinoperfect Glycolic Peel Mask
Evening · Once a week
SAR 240.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Instant Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 153.56
Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 981.41 · 92% fit
Buy Caudalie routine · SAR 1,382.64 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
The Ordinary or Caudalie: which is better?
Both brands offer solid skincare choices, but The Ordinary tends to be more affordable and helps better with acne clearing and skin smoothing based on the products on this page.
What is the difference between The Ordinary and Caudalie?
The Ordinary offers products on this page that provide superior routine fit across almost all skin types and better value, whereas Caudalie features products on this page with refreshing scents and pleasant textures. Both brands help address various skin concerns, but The Ordinary is known for affordability while Caudalie comes with a higher price point.
The Ordinary or Caudalie for dry skin?
The Ordinary is a better choice for dry skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Caudalie's High level. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and hydration signs for dry skin types.
The Ordinary or Caudalie: which cleanser is better?
Both The Ordinary and Caudalie offer cleansers on this page, and reviewers frequently highlight options from both brands for effective cleansing. The Ordinary provides affordable options like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, whereas Caudalie features popular choices like the Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser.
Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Caudalie?
The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its great value and budget-friendly pricing compared to Caudalie, which frequently receives complaints about its high price point.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, The Ordinary or Caudalie?
The Ordinary has more fragrance-free products, because every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Caudalie includes fragrance in twelve of its twenty items.
The Ordinary or Caudalie: which brand is better for reducing dark spots?
Both The Ordinary and Caudalie offer effective options for fading dark spots, but the products on this page for The Ordinary are rated as having a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots compared to Caudalie's High fit level. Niacinamide, a key active found in several of The Ordinary's targeted dark spot serums, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
How do the founding years and company ownerships of The Ordinary and Caudalie compare?
The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Caudalie was founded in France in 1995 and is independently owned.
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 on this page. Niacinamide helps control oil production, and the products on this page list no fragrance.
The Ordinary or Caudalie: which moisturizer is better?
Both The Ordinary and Caudalie offer exceptional moisturizers, with products on this page for The Ordinary achieving a Superior routine fit for dry skin, while Caudalie achieves a High fit.
The Ordinary or Caudalie for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both The Ordinary and Caudalie fit well, but Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and Caudalie as High. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance, whereas some Caudalie products contain fragrance, which may help shoppers with sensitive skin choose accordingly.
The Ordinary or Caudalie for acne-prone skin?
Both The Ordinary and Caudalie have products on this page that fit acne-prone skin well, but The Ordinary is the better choice because it offers superior acne clearing and blemish reduction. Every product on The Ordinary page lists no fragrance.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
Topical menthol--a human model for cold pain by activation and sensitization of C nociceptors
Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
The topical effect of grape seed extract 2% cream on surgery wound healing
The moisturizing effects of glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, on human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Resveratrol as a factor preventing skin aging and affecting its regeneration
Oleanolic Acid Protects the Skin from Particulate Matter-Induced Aging
Development of Polymeric Micelles of Oleanolic Acid and Evaluation of Their Clinical Efficacy
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Pentacyclic triterpenes from Terminalia arjuna show multiple benefits on aged and dry skin
Lycopene and Melatonin: Antioxidant Compounds in Cosmetic Formulations
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Oleanolic Acid Nanofibers Attenuated Particulate Matter-Induced Oxidative Stress in Keratinocytes
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Design and in vivo evaluation of emulgel formulations including green tea extract and rose oil
Dyspigmentation, skin physiology, and a novel approach to skin lightening
Topical lycopene emulgel significantly improves biophysical parameters of human skin
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
A bioactive complex to protect proteins from UV-induced oxidation in human epidermis
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Natural Moisturizing Factor-Enriched Formulations Compared to a Ceramide-Based Cream
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
The harnessing potential of carboxymethyl beta glucan: A driver of skin repair
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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