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The Ordinary vs Lancôme

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

The Ordinary and Lancôme are distinct skincare brands that offer diverse formulations for varying complexions. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, and cleansers on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, making it particularly well suited for dry and dry sensitive skin. Meanwhile, the French brand is thoughtfully loved for its nourishing moisturizers, eye products, and serums formulated with glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and adenosine, which suit sensitive and mature skin best. While both utilize powerful hydrating ingredients to improve barrier function and reduce wrinkles, they differ in their heritage, specific targeted solutions, and overall aesthetic approaches.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

Lancôme is a French skincare brand founded in 1935 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1964.

loreal.comen.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Lancôme products

People Say

The OrdinaryLancôme
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
    • “absorbs almost instantly — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “Skin feels cushiony soft — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives my skin an instant dewy glow — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
    • “keeps the skin soft and hydrated — Lancôme HYDRA ZEN”
    • “The product provides deep hydration and visible rejuvenation. — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Night Cream”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and 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%”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “scars and hormonal acne faded — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Gentle Care for Sensitive Skin Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Finally a cleanser that doesn't sting my face. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
    • “No irritation at all — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “instantly soothed my skin — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “Doesn't sting my eyes — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Unique Textures and Finishes Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin is softer to touch — Lancôme Absolue Precious Oil”
    • “triple-chamber keeps ingredients fresh — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
    • “Bottle lasts forever — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
  • Pilling and Application Issues Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Leaves a greasy film — Lancôme Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “pilling like dead skin — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “left a tacky film on my face — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • General Formulation Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't notice much change in wrinkles — Lancôme Génifique Ultimate”
    • “Did absolutely nothing — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
    • “Strong smell of alcohol — Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate”
    • “foams up like soap — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
  • Skin Irritation and Sensitivity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused a breakout — Lancôme RÉNERGIE”
    • “felt a burning sensation immediately — Lancôme Tonique Confort”
    • “burns my eyes — Lancôme Crème Radiance”
    • “irritated AF the next day — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”

The Ordinary vs Lancôme routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £90.51 · 97% fitBuy Lancôme routine · £294.78 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Lancôme routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £120.07 · 93% fitBuy Lancôme routine · £282.47 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Lancôme routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · £134.25 · 92% fitBuy Lancôme routine · £331.47 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Lancôme: which is better?

Both brands are great, but The Ordinary is better for budget-friendly routines and acne care, while Lancôme excels in texture, absorption, and deep hydration.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Lancôme?

The Ordinary offers more affordable, fragrance-free products focused on value, acne control, and specific active ingredients, whereas Lancôme features a higher price point, luxury textures, and fragranced formulations centered on deep hydration and anti-aging benefits.

The Ordinary or Lancôme for dry skin?

The Ordinary provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Lancôme offers a High routine fit. The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas and strong value options, while Lancôme is known for deep hydration and pleasant scents.

The Ordinary or Lancôme: which cleanser is better?

When comparing cleansers on these pages, The Ordinary offers fragrance-free options like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser that helps fit dry, sensitive, and oily skin at a Superior or High level. Lancôme features cleansers like Crème Radiance which carry a warning for multiple skin types and often include added fragrance.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Lancôme?

The Ordinary offers much greater affordability, featuring affordable and great value serums among the products on this page compared to Lancôme's high price point.

How do The Ordinary and Lancôme compare for mature skin?

The Ordinary is rated Superior for mature skin on this page, while Lancôme is rated High, and reviewers note that The Ordinary offers better value whereas Lancôme delivers deeper hydration. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in products from both brands, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Do products from The Ordinary or Lancôme contain fragrance?

Every product from The Ordinary on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas 11 of the 14 Lancôme products on this page contain fragrance.

The Ordinary or Lancôme for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily skin, earning a Superior routine fit compared to Lancôme's High fit rating. The products on this page from The Ordinary provide multiple acne-clearing and oil-controlling serums that are fragrance-free.

The Ordinary or Lancôme: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, shoppers looking for affordability and value tend to prefer the options from The Ordinary, whereas Lancôme is often chosen for its deep hydration and lightweight, fast-absorbing textures. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for The Ordinary and High for Lancôme. Hyaluronic acid helps provide moisture in products across both brands.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Lancôme for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary provides Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, whereas Lancome offers High fit. Reviewers note that The Ordinary delivers better value and pricing, while Lancome is frequently cited for a high price point.

The Ordinary or Lancôme for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Lancôme's High fit and offer specialized blemish-control serums at a more affordable value.

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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