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The Ordinary vs Simple

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

The Ordinary and Simple are accessible skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting sensitive and dry sensitive skin best. Meanwhile, the British brand offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin that suit acne-prone and oily skin best. Both collections differ in formulation focus, as the former targets specific concerns with targeted acids and actives, whereas its counterpart emphasizes gentle, balanced 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

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Simple products

People Say

The OrdinarySimple
  • Great value and affordability Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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%”
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Good for sensitive skin Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “absorbs really well — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “cleared up my dry patches — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “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”
  • Smoothes skin texture Often MentionedNot 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%”
  • Breakouts and purging Sometimes 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”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Insufficient moisture Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Struggles with waterproof makeup Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “leaves a tacky film — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 814.57 · 90% fitBuy Simple routine · SAR 891.11 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 867.55 · 92% fitBuy Simple routine · SAR 1,151.23 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 981.41 · 92% fitBuy Simple routine · SAR 983.37 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Simple: which is better?

The Ordinary is generally better for addressing acne, dark spots, and texture, whereas Simple is often praised for being extra gentle on sensitive skin. Lovi finds that The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for almost all skin types, while Simple offers a High routine fit across the board.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Simple?

The Ordinary offers a much larger variety of targeted serums and treatments with a Superior Lovi fit across most skin types, whereas Simple focuses on gentle, value-friendly cleansers and lightweight moisturizers. The Ordinary products on this page help clear acne, smooth texture, and fade dark spots, while Simple is especially recognized for being gentle on sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or Simple for dry skin?

For dry skin, Lovi finds The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit while Simple has a High fit level. The Ordinary offers great value and effective targeted treatments, whereas Simple provides lightweight and gentle hydration.

The Ordinary or Simple: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers better cleansers on this page, with Lovi fit levels reaching High for dry and oily skin types, compared to the lower fit levels seen with Simple. The products on this page help clean effectively while maintaining skin balance.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary offers better value and affordability than Simple among the products on this page.

Which brand is better for sensitive skin, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary is superior for sensitive skin, whereas Simple offers good options that are also gentle. The products on this page help provide soothing care, while topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Do products from The Ordinary or Simple contain fragrance?

Every product on the products on this page for both The Ordinary and Simple lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Which brand has a wider range of serums and targeted treatments?

The Ordinary offers a much wider range of serums and targeted treatments on this page compared to Simple. Its products on this page include specialized options for acne, dark spots, and texture smoothing, whereas Simple focuses mostly on basic cleansers, makeup removers, and light moisturizers.

The Ordinary or Simple for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for oily skin, whereas Simple offers a High fit on the products on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and regulates oil production.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, The Ordinary is superior overall because the products on this page achieve higher Lovi fit levels for hydration and dry skin than Simple. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture in the skin and may improve overall skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is Superior for sensitive skin, while Simple provides High fit levels on this page. Lovi rates The Ordinary higher for this skin type due to its extensive range of gentle, fragrance-free serums.

The Ordinary or Simple for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High level. Shoppers note that the products on this page help clear acne and blemishes effectively.

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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