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The Ordinary vs Clinique

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

The Ordinary and Clinique are esteemed skincare brands owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. The Ordinary is known for targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which best suit sensitive and dry sensitive skin. Meanwhile, the American brand is widely loved for its thoughtful range of moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to comfort dry sensitive and oily skin. While both share a dedication to hydration, they differ in their specific formulations and targeted approaches to individual skin concerns.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Clinique products

People Say

The OrdinaryClinique
  • Great value and price Mostly MentionedRarely 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%”
    • “lasts forever — Clinique all about clean”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “doesn't dry out — Clinique all about clean”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Improves skin texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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%”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “glass skin look — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Clears acne and blemishes Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Pricey or expensive for brand Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “feels sticky to the touch — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “feels a bit sticky — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “gave me cystic acne — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Skin irritation and stinging Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Face stung and became red — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Clinique routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 814.57 · 90% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,700.45 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 867.55 · 92% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,198.78 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 981.41 · 92% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,205.12 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Clinique: which is better?

The Ordinary is often preferred for its great value and superior routine fit across most skin types on this page, while Clinique is noted for its gentle, hydrating, and lightweight moisturizers. Reviewers highlight that The Ordinary helps improve skin texture and clear acne, whereas Clinique is frequently praised for its deeply dissolving makeup removers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Clinique?

The Ordinary offers better value with superior routine fit across most skin types on this page, while Clinique focuses on lightweight hydration with a higher price point. Both brands feature fragrance-free products, but reviewers note that The Ordinary excels at clearing acne and improving skin texture, whereas Clinique is praised for its hydrating moisturizers.

The Ordinary or Clinique for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a better range of cleansers, as the products on this page provide superior fit levels for dry and sensitive skin compared to Clinique. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations, but The Ordinary is notably praised for its affordability.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Clinique?

The Ordinary provides great value and price compared to Clinique. The products on this page are known for being affordable and great value serums.

Which brand has better hydration and plumping according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, Clinique does better with hydration and plumping. The products on this page help deliver lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizers and hydrating formulas.

The Ordinary or Clinique for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary offers a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while Clinique reaches a High fit level. Reviewers mention that The Ordinary products on this page are gentle and non-irritating, and the products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

The Ordinary offers better-rated moisturizers for dry skin, with routines reaching a Superior fit level compared to Clinique's Average level. Hyaluronic acid helps retain skin moisture and improves overall skin hydration and quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary offers a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, while Clinique provides an Average routine fit. Reviewers note that The Ordinary is better for clearing acne and blemishes.

The Ordinary or Clinique for mature skin?

The Ordinary is a better choice for mature skin on this page, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's High fit. The products on this page help improve skin texture and offer great value.

The Ordinary or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

The Ordinary is a better choice for skin with dark spots because the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for this concern. Additionally, niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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