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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, and more built around ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian line founded in 2016 suits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while the American brand established in 2019 accommodates dry skin and acne-prone skin through gentle formulations. Both utilize glycerin to increase hydration and restore barrier function alongside hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction, though they differ in their specific targeted treatments for acne, dark spots, and aging.

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..

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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 · A$192.91 · 96% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · A$253.72 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$285.78 · 92% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · A$440.09 · 91% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · A$219.69 · 91% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · A$383.57 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which is better?

Both brands are a strong choice depending on your skin goals, as The Ordinary offers better blemish-clearing products while Good Molecules is noted for being more gentle and hydrating. The products on this page for both brands feature no fragrance and are focused on key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

The Ordinary and Good Molecules are both affordable skincare brands, but they differ in their strengths across different skin types and review themes. The Ordinary tends to offer a higher fit for mature skin and clearing acne, while Good Molecules is often noted for being gentler, more hydrating, and better for acne-prone skin overall.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are a Superior fit for dry skin. The products on this page help hydrate and soothe dry skin with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page for The Ordinary include options like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, which has a dry skin fit level of Superior and a sensitive skin fit level of High. Good Molecules features products such as the Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel, which has a dry skin fit level of High and a sensitive skin fit level of High.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

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

Which brand has better options for mature skin, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

The Ordinary provides a superior routine fit for mature skin compared to Good Molecules, which offers a high fit.

How do The Ordinary and Good Molecules compare when it comes to fading dark spots?

When it comes to fading dark spots, both The Ordinary and Good Molecules perform well, with The Ordinary achieving a Superior routine fit and Good Molecules reaching a Superior level as well. Reviewers note that Good Molecules focuses on brightening and fading dark spots, while The Ordinary offers targeted serums that help fade dark spots effectively.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Do products from The Ordinary and Good Molecules contain any fragrance?

The products on this page for both The Ordinary and Good Molecules list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are equally a Superior fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Good Molecules brings better hydration and a lightweight feel, while The Ordinary offers great options for clearing acne and blemishes.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules feature moisturizers that provide a Superior fit for dry skin, with formulations containing key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both brands achieve a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Good Molecules is often noted by reviewers as very gentle, while The Ordinary features fragrance-free formulas with high-level soothing options.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a strong choice for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page help clear acne and blemishes well. Reviewers note that The Ordinary offers great acne-clearing serums, and Lovi rates its routine fit for acne-prone skin as High.

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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