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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 rooted in science-backed formulations for daily routines. The Canadian brand centers its offerings on serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the American counterpart focuses on targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, revitalizing eye products, and gentle exfoliants built around glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Both labels suit dry skin, though the former extends further to dry sensitive skin, and the latter accommodates oily skin. They differ primarily in their specific target solutions and origin, with the former suiting specialized concerns like acne-prone, dark spot, and mature skin through acid and niacinamide treatments, and its counterpart addressing similar concerns through exfoliants, mineral sunscreens, and eye gels.

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 · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which is better?

Both brands offer great options, but Good Molecules is often rated better for being very gentle and affordable, while The Ordinary is well-liked for clearing acne and blemishes. Reviewers note that Good Molecules helps with hydration and lightweight absorption, whereas the products on this page from The Ordinary provide strong value for texture-smoothing and dark spot fading.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer great budget-friendly skincare, but Good Molecules is noted as better for gentleness, hydration, and overall value, while The Ordinary does better for clearing acne. The products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules provide a superior routine fit for dry skin with the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin, supporting hydration and reducing signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

When comparing cleansers on the page, both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer options with high fit levels for dry and sensitive skin, such as The Ordinary's Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and Good Molecules' Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is the more affordable brand for the products on this page, as reviewers note it offers great value and price.

Between The Ordinary and Good Molecules, which brand is better for reducing dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are equally well-suited for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for that skin type. Niacinamide, which is featured in both ranges, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which brand performs better for mature skin, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules perform equally well for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit level on this page. Reviewers frequently mention that The Ordinary offers great value and texture-smoothing serums, while Good Molecules is noted for being affordable and hydrating.

Which brand is known to be more gentle and non-irritating, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is known to be more gentle and non-irritating compared to The Ordinary, offering very gentle serums that reviewers frequently praise. Meanwhile, The Ordinary provides products on this page that are also noted for being gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules fit oily skin equally well, as both brands provide a Superior routine fit for this skin type.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers that provide a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin on this page, including products like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA from The Ordinary and Lightweight Daily Moisturizer from Good Molecules. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is especially recognized for affordable and hydrating moisturizers, while The Ordinary features key ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane across its moisturizing range.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit for sensitive skin, but Good Molecules is noted by reviewers for being gentler and less irritating overall. Both brands also feature no fragrance across the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

Good Molecules offers a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas The Ordinary has a High fit level. Reviewers mention that Good Molecules does better for being gentle and non-irritating, while The Ordinary does better for clearing acne and blemishes.

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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