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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 that offer serums, moisturizers, and more, built around key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Both brands suit dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while their individual formulations accommodate acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin. The Canadian brand centers its approach on squalane and targeted acids, whereas the American brand is widely loved for its thoughtful range of exfoliants, sunscreens, and eye gels. Ultimately, they differ in their specific product lineups and founding origins, giving users tailored ways to address similar skin concerns.

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”
    • “only $8 — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “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 · $109.78 · 97% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · $112.61 · 95% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $207.87 · 93% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · $234.94 · 93% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · $219.97 · 93% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · $226.53 · 92% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which is better?

Both brands are equally great for your routine, as they match on fit levels across almost all skin types. Good Molecules is often preferred for a better price and gentler hydration, while The Ordinary is frequently chosen for clearing acne.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

Good Molecules offers better value, gentler formulas, and superior hydration, while The Ordinary does better at clearing acne and blemishes.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules fit dry skin at a Superior level with their routines. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer great options for cleansers, with formulas that help cleanse without fragrance. The products on this page from The Ordinary provide good fit levels for dry and oily skin types, while Good Molecules also features gentle hydrating cleansers well-suited for sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is the more affordable brand for the products on this page, as reviewers note it provides great value and price.

Which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin routines?

Good Molecules performs better for oily acne-prone skin routines, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary's High fit level on this page.

How do the review themes compare between The Ordinary and Good Molecules for clearing acne and blemishes?

For clearing acne and blemishes, The Ordinary does better according to the review themes on the page.

Which brand has better review themes regarding hydration and plumping?

Good Molecules has better review themes regarding hydration and plumping. The products on this page help deliver affordable and hydrating moisturizers along with plumping and hydrating serums.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are a great match for oily skin, as each brand achieves a Superior routine fit for this skin type. Good Molecules tends to feel a bit more lightweight and hydrating, while The Ordinary products on this page help clear acne and blemishes particularly well.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are great options for moisturizers, as the products on this page offer solid hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Good Molecules tends to win out slightly in reviews for providing affordable and hydrating moisturizers, while both brands match each other well on overall routine fit for various skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin. The products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are rated as having a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, with The Ordinary performing better for 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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