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The Ordinary vs CeraVe

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

The Ordinary and CeraVe are two widely recognized skincare lines offering targeted daily formulas built around reliable ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, and cleansers on active problem-solving for dry and oily acne-prone skin, whereas the American brand is known for dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, sunscreens, and protective daily formulas suited best for mature and dry skin. While both incorporate moisture-binding components that lengthen wrinkle reduction and boost barrier function, they differ in their overarching approaches, with the former favoring clinical, ingredient-led concentrations and the latter focusing on supportive, barrier-first maintenance.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs CeraVe products

People Say

The OrdinaryCeraVe
  • Gentle and safe for sensitive skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “no redness after washing — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Great value and affordable price 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%”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • 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 looks smoother and brighter — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy finish Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Clears acne and fades dark spots Mostly 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”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Skin irritation, stinging, and burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Face feels like it's on fire — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Sticky or heavy residue finish Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “left a sticky film — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Pilling and makeup application struggles Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “pills and rolls — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$164.78 · 92% fitBuy CeraVe routine · S$195.54 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$393.06 · 89% fitBuy CeraVe routine · S$238.51 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs CeraVe routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$289.36 · 88% fitBuy CeraVe routine · S$262.69 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe are great brands, with The Ordinary offering superior routines for dry skin and oily acne-prone skin, while CeraVe is particularly praised for being gentle and safe for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page by The Ordinary provide great value and help clear acne and fade dark spots, whereas CeraVe delivers deep hydration and moisture with lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and CeraVe?

The Ordinary offers targeted serums and acids that help improve texture and fade dark spots at a great value, while CeraVe focuses on gentle, ceramide-dominant moisturizers and cleansers that help provide deep hydration and barrier repair. Both brands feature fragrance-free products on this page, but The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin and oily acne-prone skin, whereas CeraVe achieves a Superior fit for mature skin.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for dry skin?

For dry skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, while CeraVe has a High routine fit. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration for dry skin.

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

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers a variety of gentle cleansers, such as the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, while CeraVe features popular barrier-repairing options like the Hydrating Facial Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering popular and great value serums among the products on this page.

Which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary performs better for oily acne-prone skin, with a Superior routine fit compared to CeraVe's High fit.

Between The Ordinary and CeraVe, which is better suited for mature skin?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe show a Superior routine fit for mature skin among the products on this page. The Ordinary features key anti-aging ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid, which help improve skin texture and stimulate collagen accumulation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which brand is better for fading dark spots and clearing acne, The Ordinary or CeraVe?

The Ordinary does better for fading dark spots and clearing acne. Its products on this page offer multiple specialized serums that help fade dark spots and clear acne effectively.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, while CeraVe has a High routine fit. Reviewers note that the products on this page from The Ordinary are particularly effective at clearing acne and fading dark spots.

The Ordinary or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, both brands offer great options, but CeraVe stands out for deep hydration and barrier repair with ingredients like ceramides. The Ordinary provides excellent value and lightweight hydration through products featuring hyaluronic acid and natural moisturizing factors.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

The Ordinary or CeraVe for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and CeraVe have a High routine fit for sensitive skin. CeraVe does better for being gentle and safe for sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?

Both brands are a High fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, with reviewers noting that The Ordinary offers acne-clearing serums while CeraVe provides effective cleansers for acne and oil. Topical niacinamide helps suppress melanosome transfer to reduce cutaneous pigmentation and control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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