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The Ordinary vs Good Molecules

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

The Ordinary and Good Molecules are popular skincare brands offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, exfoliants, and more, built around key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian line fits sensitive skin and combination skin best, while the American brand suits sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best through gentle yet effective compositions. Both feature formulations with glycerin to increase hydration and restore barrier function alongside hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction, differing primarily in their specific target options and parent companies.

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

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Good Molecules is an American skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.com

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

Popular The Ordinary vs Good Molecules products

People Say

The OrdinaryGood Molecules
  • Great value and price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
  • Smoothes texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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 like brand new baby skin — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “Leaves skin "baby soft," "super smooth," "polished feel" — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
  • Clears acne and blemishes 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”
    • “scar on your chin doesn't look nearly as noticeable — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Gentle and non-irritating Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
    • “no irritation on sensitive skin — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft and not tight at all. — The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser”
  • Hydration and plumping Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Skin feels bouncy — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “makes my skin feel soft and plump — Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Lightweight absorption Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly into skin — Good Molecules Lightweight Daily Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs instantly — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “Sinks in immediately — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
  • Pilling and makeup issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “Balls up — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “crumbles and piles under moisturizer — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
  • Sticky finish Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “sticky to the touch — Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Breakouts 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”
    • “face broke out everywhere — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for dry skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 542.90 · 89% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · AED 512.25 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 833.82 · 91% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · AED 887.58 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · AED 712.46 · 92% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · AED 834.64 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which is better?

When comparing The Ordinary and Good Molecules, both brands offer great value, but they shine for different skin types and concerns. The Ordinary has a Superior fit for oily and combination skin, and reviewers note it helps clear acne and blemishes. Good Molecules has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, and reviewers find it provides better hydration and a more gentle, non-irritating experience.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

The Ordinary and Good Molecules are both affordable brands with no fragrance in the products on this page, but The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for oily, combination, and mature skin, while Good Molecules is a Superior fit for acne-prone skin. Both brands have a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules have a High routine fit for dry skin based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is better for hydration and plumping, while The Ordinary offers great value.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules feature well-liked cleansers on the products on this page, with The Ordinary offering options such as the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and Good Molecules offering the Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules does better for great value and price among the products on this page.

Which brand has a better routine fit for mature skin?

The Ordinary has a better routine fit for mature skin, reaching a Superior level compared to the High level of Good Molecules. Both brands feature anti-aging ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid that help reduce signs of skin aging.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

The Ordinary provides a superior fit for oily skin compared to Good Molecules, which offers a high fit level for this skin type. Reviewers also note that the products on this page from The Ordinary do better at clearing acne and blemishes.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer exceptional moisturizers, with products on this page featuring key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are a Superior fit for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands offer very gentle serums, while Good Molecules is specifically cited as doing better for being gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi ranking The Ordinary at High and Good Molecules at Superior. Reviewers mention that The Ordinary clears acne and blemishes better, while Good Molecules is noted for being very gentle and affordable.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for combination skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for combination skin, reaching a Superior routine level compared to Good Molecules at High. Both brands feature fragrance-free products on this page, but The Ordinary has an edge in clearing acne and blemishes.

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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