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The Ordinary vs Caudalie

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

The Ordinary and Caudalie are distinct skincare lines founded respectively in Canada in 2016 and France in 1995. The Ordinary centers its clinical serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the French brand crafts botanical serums, refreshing toners, nourishing moisturizers, and targeted eye products from grape-derived formulas. Both options suit dry skin best, though the Canadian line also accommodates dry sensitive skin and the botanical brand addresses oily skin. They differ primarily in their formulation approach, as the first relies on targeted single-ingredient efficacy for acne, dark spots, and aging, whereas the latter utilizes natural extracts for balanced hydration, clarification, and targeted concerns like the Vinopure Purifying Toner, the Vinoperfect Glycolic Peel Mask, and Premier Cru The Cream.

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

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Caudalie is a French skincare brand founded in 1995.

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Caudalie products

People Say

The OrdinaryCaudalie
  • Redness and sensitivity Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “calms my redness — Caudalie Grape Water”
  • Acne clearing and blemish reduction Often MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “cleared my hormonal acne — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser”
  • Skin smoothing and texture improvement Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Caudalie Instant Detox Mask”
  • Great value and affordable pricing 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%”
  • Pleasant scent and refreshing aromas Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “gives a glass-skin look — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “wakes up my skin — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
  • Hydration and plumping effects Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Provides intense hydration, smooths fine lines, and gives the skin an even, radiant appearance. — Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream”
    • “intense hydration — Caudalie Grape Water”
    • “skin feels plump — Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Cashmere Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Texture and pilling issues under makeup Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “tacky finish — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
    • “does not remove make-up — Caudalie Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser”
    • “Incompatible with my makeup. — Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • High price point and value concerns Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive — Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues 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”
    • “smell is strong — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner”
  • Stinging, harshness and irritation Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “burns my eyes — Caudalie Beauty Elixir”
    • “bit dry for daily use — Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner”
    • “woke up swollen — Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Eye Cream”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £90.51 · 97% fitBuy Caudalie routine · £178.00 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £120.07 · 93% fitBuy Caudalie routine · £169.29 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Caudalie routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £134.25 · 92% fitBuy Caudalie routine · £126.00 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which is better?

The Ordinary offers better value, acne clearing, and texture improvement across the products on this page, while Caudalie performs better for hydration and plumping. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides more affordable pricing, whereas Caudalie is often associated with higher prices and occasional stinging or irritation.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Caudalie?

The Ordinary offers more affordable pricing and better results for acne and skin smoothing, while Caudalie is known for pleasant scents and hydration. For the products on this page, every item from The Ordinary lists no fragrance, whereas some Caudalie products contain fragrance.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie provide a Superior routine fit for dry skin. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas and great value, while Caudalie offers refreshing hydration and plant-based ingredients.

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie offer strong cleanser options, with The Ordinary achieving a Superior fit for dry skin through products like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser. Caudalie also provides effective cleansers such as the Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser, which has an oily skin fit level of Superior.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Caudalie?

The Ordinary offers much better affordability and value across the products on this page compared to Caudalie, as reviewers frequently praise its budget-friendly serums.

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

The Ordinary has more fragrance-free products, as every single product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, Caudalie only has 12 out of 20 products on its page without fragrance.

Which brand is older and where was it founded, The Ordinary or Caudalie?

Caudalie is older, having been founded in France in 1995, while The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016.

Which brand does better for skin smoothing and texture improvement?

The Ordinary does better for skin smoothing and texture improvement.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for oily skin?

Both brands offer solid options for oily skin, but The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit compared to Caudalie's High fit level. The Ordinary products on this page help control oil effectively, with reviewers noting that its serums provide great value for acne clearing.

The Ordinary or Caudalie: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Caudalie offer moisturizers that provide a superior fit for dry skin, though The Ordinary focuses on fragrance-free formulations while some Caudalie options contain added fragrance.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands offer good options, but the products on this page for The Ordinary achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Caudalie's High fit level. Reviewers mention that both brands provide gentle and non-irritating serums, while Caudalie is more likely to cause stinging, harshness, and irritation.

The Ordinary or Caudalie for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page offer superior acne clearing and blemish reduction compared to Caudalie. Reviewers frequently note that The Ordinary delivers better results for blemishes at a more affordable price.

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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