🇩🇪Germany

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 two accessible skincare brands known for formulas built around hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. While The Ordinary offers targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners that suit dry and sensitive skin, the brand also features specific options for acne-prone, dark spot, and mature skin. Similarly, Good Molecules provides expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, eye products, and exfoliants for dry and sensitive skin, alongside dedicated treatments for acne, dark spots, and aging. Ultimately, both brands differ through their unique product lineups and parent companies, though each successfully supports skin hydration and barrier function.

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

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are great budget-friendly skincare brands, but The Ordinary has an edge for clearing acne, while Good Molecules is often preferred for gentle hydration and value.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers superior routine fit for oily, combination, and dry sensitive skin, while Good Molecules is noted by reviewers for being gentler and providing better hydration and value. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

The Ordinary offers a superior routine fit for oily skin, whereas Good Molecules achieves a high fit. The Ordinary features a wider selection of specialized products on this page for managing oily and acne-prone skin, such as high-performing toners and serums containing ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer well-reviewed cleansers with high fit levels for dry and sensitive skin, such as The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel. The Ordinary cleanser also achieves a High fit level for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is more affordable than The Ordinary on this page. Reviewers note that Good Molecules offers great value and price.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for fading dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are rated as having a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots on the products on this page. Niacinamide helps in reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppressing melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand has a better routine fit for oily acne-prone skin?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit for oily acne-prone skin, while Good Molecules has a High fit level.

Do products from The Ordinary and Good Molecules contain fragrance?

Every product on the products on this page for both The Ordinary and Good Molecules lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are rated as having a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation and soothe skin, while hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer exceptional moisturizers, with The Ordinary achieving a Superior fit for dry skin through options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan. Good Molecules also provides a Superior fit for dry skin with its Lightweight Daily Moisturizer, while focusing heavily on hydration and plumping benefits across its line.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules have a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, with The Ordinary clearing acne and blemishes better according to reviews.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play