Two Different Skincare Philosophies
The Ordinary and CeraVe are both budget skincare powerhouses, but they couldn't be more different. CeraVe is about building healthy, strong skin through moisture and barrier repair. The Ordinary is about active ingredients—retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid—in their most clinical, concentrated forms at unbeatable prices.
CeraVe: The Foundation-Building Approach
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion (Daily)
$10 - $15
A lightweight lotion designed to maintain a healthy skin barrier with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. This is the foundation every skin type benefits from.
The Ordinary: The Active-Ingredient Powerhouse
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
$5 - $7
One of the most popular products in skincare, this serum delivers 10% niacinamide in a simple formula. Niacinamide strengthens the barrier, minimizes pores, and regulates oil production—all for under $7.
How They're Different
Purpose: CeraVe is preventative and foundational. The Ordinary is treatment-focused for specific concerns.
Texture: CeraVe feels like traditional skincare. The Ordinary has unusual textures (watery, sticky, or grainy) that require getting used to.
Simplicity: Both are minimal, but The Ordinary has clinical simplicity—you're paying only for the active ingredient. CeraVe adds other beneficial ingredients.
Stability: The Ordinary's vitamin C and retinol oxidize quickly and need proper storage. CeraVe is more stable.
The Verdict
You don't have to choose—you need both. CeraVe is your foundation: a good cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen from CeraVe should be everyone's baseline. The Ordinary is what you add once your foundation is solid to target specific concerns like aging, hyperpigmentation, or texture issues.
Start with CeraVe if: You're new to skincare; your skin barrier is compromised; you want simple, straightforward products.
Invest in The Ordinary if: You have specific skincare goals (anti-aging, pore-minimizing, brightening); you're experienced with actives; you want maximum potency for minimum cost.
Our recommendation: Build your basic routine with CeraVe, then add targeted treatments from The Ordinary. This combination gives you the best of both worlds—a healthy foundation plus active treatment—for under $30.