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The Ordinary vs Medik8

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

The Ordinary and Medik8 are a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and a British skincare brand founded in 2009, respectively. The Ordinary covers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while Medik8 offers serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid. The Canadian brand fits dry skin and oily acne-prone skin best, whereas the British brand differs by focusing on broader complexion needs through targeted formulations. Both offer distinct approaches, with the former utilizing key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to support hydration, barrier function, and collagen production, and the latter relying on hyaluronic acid for advanced 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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Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular The Ordinary and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The Ordinary vs Medik8 products

People Say

The OrdinaryMedik8
  • Texture and Pores Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
  • Texture and Absorption (Lightweight/Elegant) Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “Plumps skin with moisture — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and Pricing 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%”
    • “better value than Skinceuticals — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
  • Brightening and Dark Spots Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “Dark spots have faded noticeably — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
  • Other Minor Complaints and Performance Issues Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “too oily for my combination skin — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
  • Pilling and Makeup Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Didn't mix well with my foundation — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Skin Irritation and Burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “stinging sensation — Medik8 Super C Ferulic”
    • “caused slight redness — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
    • “Caused stinging and redness — Medik8 Press & Glow”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Medik8 serums and treatments

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Medik8: which is better?

The Ordinary provides better value and pricing, whereas Medik8 does better for hydration and brightening. The Ordinary products on this page list no fragrance, helping minimize the likelihood of skin irritation.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Medik8?

The Ordinary provides products on this page that are more affordable and offer great value, while Medik8 outperforms it in hydration, brightening, and gentle formulas. The Ordinary focuses best on dry skin, oily acne-prone skin, and mature skin.

The Ordinary or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Medik8 offer effective cleansers, but they cater to different needs based on the products on this page. The Ordinary features options like the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser with a High fit for dry and oily skin, while Medik8 includes the Surface Radiance Cleanse with a Superior fit for acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Medik8?

The Ordinary is more affordable than Medik8, offering budget-friendly serums that reviewers frequently praise for their great value.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The Ordinary or Medik8?

Reviewers on this page indicate that both The Ordinary and Medik8 are equal when it comes to texture and pores. The Ordinary offers affordable and great value serums, while Medik8 is often noted for a high price point.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, The Ordinary or Medik8?

The Ordinary has more fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance compared to 11 out of 12 products for Medik8.

Which brand is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.?

The Ordinary is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

How do user reviews compare regarding the prices of The Ordinary and Medik8?

Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers great value with affordable serums, whereas Medik8 comes with a high price point.

The Ordinary or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Medik8 offer effective moisturizers, with The Ordinary excelling in value and Medik8 delivering superior deep hydration and plumping for the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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