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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 American skincare brands offering diverse ranges of serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and toners built around ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. The former brand is best suited for oily and acne-prone skin, featuring notable treatments for dark spots and mature skin, while the latter brand suits dry and acne-prone skin with gentle formulations for various moisture needs. Both utilize glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and restore barrier function, though they differ in their founding years, ownership, and specific target audiences.

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 · 98% fit

Paula's Choice vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% 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?

Both brands are great choices depending on your priorities, as Paula's Choice helps deliver fast absorption and brightening effects, while Good Molecules is known for being affordable and gentle. The products on this page for both brands feature fragrance-free formulas.

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

Paula's Choice is owned by Unilever and offers products on this page that are best for oily and acne-prone skin, while Good Molecules is owned by Beautylish and features products best for dry and mature skin. Reviewers often mention that Paula's Choice provides fast absorption and brightening effects, whereas Good Molecules is known for being affordable and gentle.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Good Molecules is better suited for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit provided by Paula's Choice. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and hydration signs for dry skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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

Good Molecules offers a superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas Paula's Choice provides a superior routine fit for oily skin.

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

Good Molecules is more affordable, as reviewers on the products on this page frequently note its affordable price and great value.

Which brand has better anti-aging serums according to reviews?

Paula's Choice does better for smooth texture and anti-aging serums according to reviews.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for oily skin?

Paula's Choice is a better fit for oily skin. Lovi rates the routine fit for oily skin as Superior for Paula's Choice and High for Good Molecules.

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

Good Molecules offers a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Paula's Choice. The products on this page help hydrate and moisturize the skin effectively with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Paula's Choice is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine compared to the High routine of Good Molecules. Paula's Choice is noted for fast absorption and lightweight texture, while Good Molecules is recognized for gentle formulas.

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

Good Molecules offers a superior fit for dry sensitive skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin compared to Paula's Choice. The products on this page help provide sun protection while being formulated without fragrance.

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

Both Paula's Choice and Good Molecules offer a superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, with Paula's Choice standing out for fast absorption and lightweight texture while Good Molecules is noted for being non-irritating and gentle. Both brands provide fragrance-free products on this page to help manage breakouts.

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for dry sensitive skin?

Good Molecules is superior for dry sensitive skin, offering a routine fit of Superior compared to Paula's Choice's High. The products on this page help hydrate and protect the skin barrier.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Paula's Choice or Good Molecules for skin with dark spots?

Both brands offer products for skin with dark spots, with Good Molecules achieving a superior routine fit compared to the high fit of Paula's Choice. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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