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The Ordinary vs Theramid

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

The Ordinary and Theramid are contemporary skincare brands that offer serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around effective ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian brand centers on accessible staples that fit dry skin and oily acne-prone skin best, while the Spanish brand provides advanced treatments with meticulously engineered formulas suited for balanced, dry, combination, oily, and sensitive skin. Both lines feature targeted options for acne, dark spots, and aging, yet they differ in their scope and formulation complexity. Users appreciate how each brand addresses specific skin goals with remarkable precision and 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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Theramid is a Spanish skincare brand founded in 2022 and owned by Cosnova Group since 2026.

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Theramid products

People Say

The OrdinaryTheramid
  • Great value and 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%”
    • “Price is unbeatable — Theramid DERMA-PEPTIDES”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Suitable for sensitive skin — Theramid DERMA-PEPTIDES”
    • “incredibly gentle... I experienced zero redness or irritation — Theramid Copper Peptide”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “the texture is a sophisticated, lightweight gel that absorbs almost instantly without leaving a sticky residue — Theramid Copper Peptide”
    • “Absorbs quickly — Theramid DERMA-PEPTIDES”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Improves firmness and anti-aging Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Fine lines are less visible — Theramid DERMA-PEPTIDES”
    • “my skin feels incredibly fed and plump — Theramid Copper Peptide”
    • “Nature's botox — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Hydration and plumping Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Provides long-lasting hydration — Theramid Ceramide Treatment”
  • Texture smoothing 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%”
  • Sticky finish Often MentionedNot noted
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Breakouts and purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Gave me massive texture and bumps — Theramid Ceramide Treatment”
    • “broke me out in cysts — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
  • Small tube or packaging Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “The 50ml tube runs out way too fast. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “Wish it came in a pump — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Struggled to pump it out halfway through — Theramid Ceramide Treatment”

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Theramid: which is better?

The Ordinary offers better value with more affordable serums, while Theramid is gentler and lightweight, though the products on this page for both brands are fragrance-free.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Theramid?

The Ordinary offers a much larger variety of affordable serums and treatments that focus heavily on value and texture smoothing, whereas Theramid features a smaller selection of moisturizers known for lightweight absorption and soothing benefits. Lovi rates The Ordinary with a Superior fit for dry skin, oily acne-prone skin, and mature skin.

The Ordinary or Theramid: which moisturizer is better?

For moisturizers, The Ordinary provides a great value option with formulas like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, while Theramid excels in restorative, soothing care with its Ceramide Treatment. Both brands feature fragrance-free options, though the products on this page help support hydration and plumping equally well.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Theramid?

The Ordinary offers better value and price among the products on this page compared to Theramid.

Which causes fewer breakouts, The Ordinary or Theramid?

The products on this page show that Theramid does better for being gentle and non-irritating, while reviewers note breakouts and purging as a negative theme for Theramid.

Which brand has been on the market longer, The Ordinary or Theramid?

The Ordinary has been on the market longer, having been founded in Canada in 2016, whereas Theramid was founded in Spain in 2022.

Do products from The Ordinary and Theramid contain fragrance?

The products on this page from both The Ordinary and Theramid list no fragrance in their ingredients.

How does the Lovi fit level of The Ordinary's Ceramide Treatment compare to Theramid's Ceramide Treatment for dry skin?

Theramid's Ceramide Treatment has a Superior Lovi fit level for dry sensitive skin and High for dry skin, whereas The Ordinary does not feature a ceramide treatment on this page.

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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