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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 that offer targeted daily care through distinct formulations. The Canadian line features serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, suiting dry skin and oily acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the British brand is deeply loved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners formulated with nourishing niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. While both share an appreciation for key hydrators like glycerin, they differ in their heritage, specific active ingredients, and tailored solutions for maturing or compromised complexions.

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 · S$164.78 · 92% fitBuy Simple routine · S$261.94 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$393.06 · 89% fitBuy Simple routine · S$459.69 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$289.36 · 88% fitBuy Simple routine · S$355.99 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Simple: which is better?

The Ordinary is superior for dry skin, mature skin, and oily acne-prone skin, while both brands are equal for oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots. The Ordinary leads in affordability and smoothing skin texture, whereas Simple is better for lightweight absorption and sensitive skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Simple?

The Ordinary delivers better value and clearer acne results, whereas Simple performs well for sensitive skin and lightweight hydration. Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior for dry skin and oily acne-prone skin, while Simple achieves a High fit level for those skin types.

The Ordinary or Simple for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a Superior fit for dry skin, while Simple has a High fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and moisture retention.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers cleansers with a High Lovi fit level for dry and oily skin, whereas Simple cleansers have an Average fit for those skin types. Review themes indicate that The Ordinary does better for great value and affordability.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Simple?

The Ordinary is more affordable on this page, as reviewers frequently praise its great value and affordability. Simple also offers budget-friendly moisturizers, but The Ordinary wins on overall value for its serums.

Does The Ordinary or Simple have fragrance in its products?

Both The Ordinary and Simple have no fragrance in the products on this page.

Which brand has been around longer, The Ordinary or Simple?

Simple has been around longer, having been founded in the United Kingdom in 1960, whereas The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016.

What are the key ingredients across The Ordinary products?

The key ingredients across the products on this page for The Ordinary are hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Simple fit oily skin well, with Lovi giving them High levels for this skin type. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

The Ordinary or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary delivers a Superior routine fit for dry skin with its moisturizers like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, whereas Simple provides an Average fit with options like the Hydrating Light Moisturiser. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and plumping effects.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Simple feature a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and soothe skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Simple fit acne-prone skin at a High level on the products on this page. The Ordinary is noted for clearing acne and blemishes, while Simple provides gentle makeup removers.

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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