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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 offering serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and more built around ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane. The Canadian line founded in 2016 suits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best, while the American brand established in 2019 accommodates dry skin and acne-prone skin through gentle formulations. Both utilize glycerin to increase hydration and restore barrier function alongside hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction, though they differ in their specific targeted treatments for acne, dark spots, and aging.

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 · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% 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, with The Ordinary offering superior routine fit for oily, combination, and sensitive skin while both brands match on other skin types. Good Molecules is often preferred for value, gentleness, and hydration, whereas The Ordinary is frequently noted for clearing acne and blemishes.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer great budget-friendly products with no added fragrance, but they differ in overall routine fit and reviewer feedback. The Ordinary achieves a superior routine fit for oily and combination skin, while Good Molecules is often noted for being especially gentle and lightweight.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules fit dry skin at a Superior level based on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is especially good for affordable hydration, while The Ordinary offers great value serums.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer cleansers with a High fit level for dry and sensitive skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Good Molecules tends to be gentler, while The Ordinary provides great value.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is often noted as more affordable and a better value than The Ordinary, though reviewers praise the affordable and great value serums from both brands on the products on this page.

Which brand is better for smoothing skin texture, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Both brands are equal for smoothing skin texture, as reviewers report similar success with both lines. The products on this page help improve skin feel through gentle exfoliation and targeted serums.

Do The Ordinary products or Good Molecules products contain fragrance?

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

Which brand performs better for oily skin routine fit?

The Ordinary performs better for oily skin, offering a superior routine fit compared to the high routine fit of Good Molecules.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

The Ordinary offers a superior routine fit for oily skin compared to Good Molecules, which reaches a high fit level. Reviewers note that the products on this page from The Ordinary do better at clearing acne and blemishes.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer moisturizers that achieve a Superior fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient across both ranges, helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are great for sensitive skin, as the products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients. Reviewers mention that Good Molecules offers very gentle serums, while Lovi rates The Ordinary with a superior routine fit for sensitive skin.

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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