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Paula's Choice vs Good Molecules

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

Paula's Choice and Good Molecules are two American skincare brands offering carefully crafted serums, cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and more. The former brand is built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin c, fitting combination skin and oily skin best, while the latter is cherished for moisture-retaining formulations featuring key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid that suit dry skin and combination skin best. Both brands harness glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and restore barrier function, whereas they differ in their specific product lineups, founding years, parent companies, and targeted skin concerns.

Paula's Choice is an American skincare brand founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever since 2021.

unilever.comtracxn.com

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 Paula's Choice and Good Molecules products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Paula's Choice vs Good Molecules products

People Say

Paula's ChoiceGood Molecules
  • Fast absorption and lightweight texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Provides an internal level of hydration without leaving any heavy finish. — Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner”
    • “Absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy residue behind. — Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer”
    • “absorbs instantly — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “absorbs quickly... zero irritation or tacky feeling — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Smoothes texture and refines pores Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin becomes very smooth — Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment”
    • “pores look smaller — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
    • “bumps be gone — Paula's Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA”
    • “skin looks like brand new baby skin — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
  • Affordable price and great value Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “best value for money — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “great value — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Non-irritating and gentle formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no skin purging — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “Non-abrasive, suitable for sensitive skin, no stinging — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “leaves my face feeling clean without the drying — Good Molecules Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel”
    • “Finally a vitamin C product I can use — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
  • Glow, radiance, and brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “visible glow — Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster”
    • “Discoloration almost gone — Paula's Choice 25% Vitamin C + Glutathione Clinical Serum”
    • “spots barely visible — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
    • “scar on your chin doesn't look nearly as noticeable — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
  • Hydrates, plumps, and layers well Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “skin appears smooth and supple — Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Skin feels bouncy — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “softened fine lines — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
  • High price and packaging issues Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Metal tube cracks — Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel”
    • “Hole is too big — Good Molecules Pineapple Exfoliating Powder”
    • “dropper... getting only a little bit is difficult — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “surprisingly small bottle — Paula's Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment”
  • Causes breakouts and purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin purged — Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant”
    • “caused cystic acne — Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster”
    • “face broke out everywhere — Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum”
    • “gave me little white bumps — Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum”
  • Unpleasant smell or scent issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Strong bergamot smell — Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum”
    • “weird faint smell — Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream”
    • “smelled of glycolic acid — Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment”
    • “smells like grain — Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster”

Paula's Choice vs Good Molecules routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Paula's Choice vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Paula's Choice vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules: which is better?

Good Molecules offers a superior routine fit for almost all skin types on the products on this page, while Paula's Choice excels particularly in fast absorption and smoothing texture. Good Molecules is noted for being affordable and gentle, whereas Paula's Choice provides high-performing anti-aging and brightening formulas.

What is the difference between Paula's Choice and Good Molecules?

Paula's Choice is founded in 1995 and owned by Unilever, whereas Good Molecules was founded in 2019 and is owned by Beautylish, Inc. The products on this page for Paula's Choice focus best on combination, oily, and acne-prone skin, while Good Molecules products focus best on dry, combination, and sensitive skin.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for dry skin?

For dry skin, Good Molecules has a Superior routine fit on this page, while Paula's Choice has a High routine fit. Good Molecules also tends to offer more affordable pricing and better hydration and plumping for dry skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Good Molecules provides a better routine fit for dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin than Paula's Choice.

Which is more affordable, Paula's Choice or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is more affordable, offering products noted for their great value and budget-friendly pricing compared to Paula's Choice, which reviewers frequently mention as having a high price.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules: which brand does better for fast absorption and lightweight texture?

Paula's Choice does better for fast absorption and lightweight texture among the products on this page.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules: which has better options for glow, radiance, and brightening?

Paula's Choice does better for glow, radiance, and brightening among the products on this page. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand offers better non-irritating and gentle formulas according to review themes?

Good Molecules offers better non-irritating and gentle formulas according to the review themes on this page. Reviewers frequently note that its serums are very gentle.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for oily skin?

Good Molecules has a Superior routine fit for oily skin compared to High for Paula's Choice. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is affordable and hydrating, while Paula's Choice is known for fast absorption and lightweight texture.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Good Molecules tends to be better for moisturizers as the products on this page offer superior hydration and value. Paula's Choice moisturizers are also an option, but reviewers note they come with a higher price.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Good Molecules is a better fit for sensitive skin on Lovi, offering a superior routine fit compared to Paula's Choice's high fit. Reviewers frequently note that Good Molecules provides non-irritating and gentle formulas across its products on this page.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules: which sunscreen is better?

Good Molecules provides a Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 that Lovi rates as Superior for dry sensitive skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin, and High for oily skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin, and oily acne-prone skin. Paula's Choice offers a Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 50 that Lovi rates as High for dry skin, combination skin, and dry sensitive skin, and Average for the remaining skin types.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

Good Molecules has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Paula's Choice has a High routine fit. Good Molecules helps provide non-irritating and gentle formulas that are affordable, while the products on this page for Paula's Choice are known for fast absorption and lightweight texture.

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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