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The Ordinary vs Hada Labo

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

The Ordinary and Hada Labo are distinct skincare brands offering targeted daily support for various skin needs. The Canadian line features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Japanese brand is deeply loved for its hydrating toners, gentle makeup removers, and nourishing moisturizers driven by advanced formulas. Both options suit dry skin best, though the former also fits oily acne-prone skin and the latter suits combination skin. Ultimately, they differ through their specific ingredient focuses and regional origins, with each delivering reliable hydration and restorative daily care.

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

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Hada Labo is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 2004 and owned by Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd..

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Hada Labo products

People Say

The OrdinaryHada Labo
  • Affordable value and great price 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%”
    • “bottle lasts forever — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Gentle and non-irritating formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “leaves skin soft and hydrated — Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil”
    • “never stings my sensitive skin — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “No fragrance/alcohol — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Deep hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
    • “Plumps fine lines — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “leaves skin soft, smooth, and hydrated — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Lightweight absorption and texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
    • “absorbs super quickly — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Fades dark spots and marks Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “faded considerably — Hada Labo Shirojyun Premium Whitening Lotion”
    • “faded my PIH considerably — Hada Labo Premium Whitening Lotion (Light)”
  • Clears and improves acne 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”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “Can feel tacky on the skin — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “Tacky residue — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
  • Breakouts and clogging Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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 — Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion”
  • Thick texture and issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Greasy in humidity — Hada Labo Gokujun Premium”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for dry skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · S$263.75 · 99% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · S$164.78 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for oily skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · S$394.68 · 93% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · S$393.06 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Hada Labo routines for combination skin

Buy Hada Labo routine · S$360.41 · 95% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · S$289.36 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which is better?

Hada Labo is better for deep hydration and lightweight absorption, whereas The Ordinary is better for affordable value and acne-clearing serums, while both brands offer a superior routine fit for dry, mature, and oily acne-prone skin types.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Hada Labo?

The Ordinary offers more affordable value and helps clear acne better, whereas Hada Labo provides superior deep hydration and lightweight absorption. Both brands are fragrance-free, but Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit for combination skin while The Ordinary reaches a High fit.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration and moisturization.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Hada Labo: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo offer moisturizers that fit dry skin with a Superior level of Lovi fit. The Ordinary provides great value, while Hada Labo is known for deep hydration and moisturization.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Hada Labo?

The Ordinary offers more affordable value and great price for the products on this page compared to Hada Labo.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for fading dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo help with fading dark spots, but Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots compared to The Ordinary's High fit. The Ordinary products on this page offer great affordability, while Hada Labo is well-liked for deep hydration and brightening.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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

Both The Ordinary and Hada Labo provide fragrance-free options, but Hada Labo tends to do better for gentle and non-irritating formulations. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which is unlikely to cause irritation.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for oily skin?

For oily skin, Hada Labo is the better choice with a Superior routine fit, while The Ordinary has a High fit level. Hada Labo is particularly praised for providing lightweight absorption and texture.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, both brands work well, but The Ordinary has an edge with acne-clearing serums while Hada Labo reaches a superior routine fit level. The Ordinary products on this page help with acne-prone skin through targeted active treatments, whereas Hada Labo focuses on gentle, deep hydration.

The Ordinary or Hada Labo for combination skin?

For combination skin, Hada Labo achieves a Superior routine fit while The Ordinary reaches a High fit level. Hada Labo provides deep hydration and lightweight absorption, whereas the products on this page from The Ordinary help with affordable value and acne-clearing serums.

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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