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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 accessible skincare brands defined by targeted formulations and accessible price points. The Canadian brand centers its serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the American brand crafts cherished serums, moisturizers, eye products, exfoliants, and more featuring glycerin and hyaluronic acid. The Ordinary fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, whereas its counterpart suits dry skin and combination skin best due to moisture-retaining formulations. They differ in their specific standalone treatments and ownership, with the former founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., and the latter founded in 2019 and owned by Beautylish, Inc.

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

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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 options, as they offer comparable routines for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, and dry sensitive skin on this page. However, Good Molecules may edge out for value, hydration, and gentleness, while The Ordinary is noted for clearing acne and blemishes.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

The Ordinary products on this page stand out for clearing acne and blemishes, while Good Molecules is known for being gentler, more hydrating, and a better value. Both brands offer fragrance-free options and similar routine fits for most skin types.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are a great match for dry skin, as the products on this page for both brands achieve a superior routine fit for this skin type. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides affordable and great value serums, while Good Molecules is known for affordable and hydrating moisturizers.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer solid cleanser options, but the products on this page show that The Ordinary fits dry skin slightly better with its Glycolipid Cream Cleanser rated at a Superior level compared to Good Molecules. Shoppers also note that The Ordinary tends to clear acne and blemishes more effectively across its range.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

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

Which brand is better for fading dark spots, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

The Ordinary is better for fading dark spots as it has a Superior fit for that skin type compared to the High fit of Good Molecules. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

How do the founding years and parent companies of The Ordinary and Good Molecules compare?

The Ordinary was founded in Canada in 2016 and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. In contrast, Good Molecules was founded in the United States in 2019 and is owned by Beautylish, Inc.

Which brand performs better for hydration and plumping according to reviewers?

Good Molecules performs better for hydration and plumping according to reviewers. Both brands offer fragrance-free products and focus heavily on key hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid across the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules fit oily skin well, as the routine fit for oily skin is Superior for each brand on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Good Molecules brings great value and price, while The Ordinary helps clear acne and blemishes.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer fantastic daily moisturizers, with products on this page for dry skin achieving a Superior fit level for both brands. Good Molecules is often praised by reviewers for its affordable and hydrating moisturizers, while The Ordinary provides fragrance-free options featuring key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules fit sensitive skin at a Superior routine level, though reviewers find Good Molecules does better for being gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

Good Molecules fits acne-prone skin best, as the products on this page offer a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit from The Ordinary. Both brands provide great affordable options, but Good Molecules is often noted by reviewers to be very gentle.

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

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