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The Ordinary vs SK-II

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

The Ordinary and SK-II are skincare brands rooted in distinct global traditions, with the former originating in Canada in 2016 and the latter established in Japan in 1980. The Canadian brand offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the Japanese brand is adored for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing masks, refreshing toners, and signature pitera formulations. Both suit dry skin, though the former also fits oily acne-prone skin best, and the latter additionally accommodates dry sensitive skin. They differ primarily in their core active ingredients and targeted solutions, such as the former using hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to address wrinkles, hydration, and collagen production, whereas the latter relies on pitera to improve pores, roughness, and redness.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular The Ordinary vs SK-II products

People Say

The OrdinarySK-II
  • Instant glow and radiance Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “tight, bright and shiny — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and affordability Mostly MentionedNot 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%”
  • Skin texture smoothing Often MentionedSometimes 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%”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
    • “Absorbs quickly — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Acne clearing and blemish reduction 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”
  • High price Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or ineffective results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “no change in pigment — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “not a miracle worker overnight — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “Didn't do anything special — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Pilling and makeup issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

The Ordinary vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$606.78 · 93% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · S$164.78 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · S$393.06 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · S$820.58 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$716.48 · 89% fitBuy The Ordinary routine · S$289.36 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or SK-II: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your skincare goals and budget. The Ordinary offers affordable and highly effective products that help smooth texture and clear acne, while SK-II delivers exceptional hydration and an instant glow.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and SK-II?

The Ordinary focuses on affordable serums and targeted treatments that help with skin texture and acne clearing, while SK-II centers its line around Pitera for instant glow and hydration. For mature skin and oily acne-prone skin, Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and SK-II as High, whereas for dry sensitive skin Lovi rates SK-II as Superior and The Ordinary as High.

The Ordinary or SK-II for dry skin?

Both brands offer a Superior routine fit for dry skin, with Lovi rating them equally. Reviewers highlight SK-II for providing better instant glow and hydration, while noting The Ordinary for affordability and skin texture smoothing.

The Ordinary or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and SK-II feature moisturizers that provide strong options depending on specific skin goals and preferences. For instance, the products on this page from The Ordinary include deeply hydrating formulas like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, while SK-II offers the popular Facial Treatment Essence, helping deliver radiance and hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or SK-II?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering products known for value and affordability compared to SK-II.

The Ordinary or SK-II for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. The Ordinary offers products on this page that help with acne clearing and blemish reduction, while SK-II provides benefits like lightweight absorption.

The Ordinary or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and SK-II offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page.

The Ordinary or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and SK-II have a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin. The Ordinary stands out for acne clearing and blemish reduction, while offering products on this page that help soothe breakouts and control oiliness.

The Ordinary or SK-II for mature skin?

For mature skin, Lovi finds The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, while SK-II achieves a High fit.

The Ordinary or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, both brands offer products on this page with a High fit level, while Lovi rates SK-II Superior and The Ordinary High as overall routines. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and plumping benefits.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or SK-II for oily acne-prone skin?

For oily acne-prone skin, both brands work well since Lovi rates The Ordinary as Superior and SK-II as High. Reviewers note that The Ordinary is better for acne clearing and blemish reduction.

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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