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The Ordinary vs Dermalogica

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

The Ordinary and Dermalogica are distinct skincare lines created to address diverse dermal needs through targeted formulations. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the American brand relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid within its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and purifying masks to suit oily skin and combination skin best. While both utilize science-led ingredients to improve hydration and barrier function, they differ in their core active agents and ideal skin types.

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

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Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.

en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Dermalogica products

People Say

The OrdinaryDermalogica
  • 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%”
    • “little goes a long way — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “super hydrating — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “skin feels hydrated — Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • 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%”
    • “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
    • “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
    • “Absorbs quickly... not greasy — Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream”
    • “Sinks in beautifully — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Acne clearing and blemish control Often MentionedRarely 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”
    • “doesn't clog pores — Dermalogica Active Moist”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • 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 puke — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
  • Stinging and irritation Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “burns immediately — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
    • “caused severe peeling — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
    • “Prickle sensation — Dermalogica Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask”
    • “stings a little but worth it — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • Breakouts and skin reactions Rarely 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”
    • “Cystic acne flare-ups — Dermalogica Precleanse”

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £90.51 · 97% fitBuy Dermalogica routine · £244.49 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £120.07 · 93% fitBuy Dermalogica routine · £375.97 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Dermalogica routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £134.25 · 92% fitBuy Dermalogica routine · £431.36 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which is better?

The Ordinary provides better value and pricing, whereas Dermalogica excels in intense hydration, soothing moisturizers, and gentle cleansers.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Dermalogica?

The Ordinary offers better value and pricing for the products on this page, while Dermalogica provides more intense hydration and soothing moisturizers. Lovi rates The Ordinary as a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas Dermalogica is a High fit.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for dry skin?

Lovi finds that The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Dermalogica has a High routine fit. The Ordinary products on this page offer great value and strong hydration benefits.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer highly rated cleansers, such as Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and Special Cleansing Gel, which are well-suited for multiple skin types including dry, oily, and sensitive skin. Reviewers often mention that Dermalogica provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers, while The Ordinary offers better value and pricing.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as review themes note it does better for value and pricing compared to Dermalogica.

Which brand is better for smoothing skin texture, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

The Ordinary is better for smoothing skin texture, as the products on this page offer texture-smoothing serums and are noted for skin texture smoothing. Lovi gives The Ordinary a Superior fit level for combination, oily, and acne-prone skin, and a High fit level for mature skin.

Which brand offers better hydration and plumping, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

Dermalogica offers better hydration and plumping for the skin. Lovi rates its routine fit for dry skin as High, compared to Superior for The Ordinary, but reviewers report intense hydration as a mostly mentioned benefit for Dermalogica.

Which brand is gentler and less irritating, The Ordinary or Dermalogica?

Dermalogica is gentler and less irritating, as the products on this page help provide soothing hydration while reviewers frequently note that Dermalogica is gentle and non-stripping. Lovi rates Dermalogica fit as High for sensitive skin, whereas Dermalogica is noted by reviewers for causing less stinging and irritation compared to The Ordinary.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Dermalogica offer a Superior routine fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page from Dermalogica tend to provide lightweight absorption.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica: which moisturizer is better?

When it comes to moisturizers, Dermalogica may provide more intense hydration and soothing benefits, while The Ordinary offers better value and affordability for shoppers.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary has a Superior fit level for sensitive skin, whereas Dermalogica has a High fit level. Both brands list no fragrance in the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Dermalogica for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a strong choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for this skin type.

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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