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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 skincare brands founded in 2016 and 2019, respectively. The Canadian brand offers serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners built around hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, while the American brand is celebrated for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, soothing eye products, and clarifying exfoliants using glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the first also fits sensitive skin well, while the second additionally suits mature skin. They differ in their ownership and specific product lineups, with the former owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and the latter 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 · 99% 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 · 95% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which is better?

Both brands are great values, but The Ordinary has an edge for clearing acne while Good Molecules leads in gentleness and hydration. For routine fit across skin types, The Ordinary is Superior for oily, combination, sensitive, dark spots, and dry sensitive skin, whereas both brands are equally Superior for dry and mature skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

The Ordinary and Good Molecules are both affordable brands with fragrance-free products on this page, but they differ in fit and reviewer feedback. The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit for more skin types, including oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, and dark spots, and reviewers say it does better at clearing acne, whereas Good Molecules achieves a Superior routine fit for dry and mature skin and reviewers say it does better for hydration and gentle feel.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are a Superior fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and plumping for skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer cleansers on the products on this page with high fit levels for dry and sensitive skin, but The Ordinary provides a wider selection including options like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser and Glucoside Foaming Cleanser. Good Molecules features choices such as the Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is more affordable, offering great value and price compared to The Ordinary.

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

The Ordinary is better for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for this concern compared to Good Molecules at a High level. Niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the founding years and corporate owners of The Ordinary and Good Molecules compare?

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

Which brand performs better when it comes to gentle and non-irritating skincare products?

Good Molecules performs better for gentle and non-irritating skincare products, as reviewers note it offers very gentle serums. The products on this page list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Good Molecules. Reviewers note that The Ordinary products on this page are especially effective as acne-clearing serums.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers that fit dry skin at a Superior level. The Ordinary features options like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, while Good Molecules offers the Lightweight Daily Moisturizer, and both brands include hyaluronic acid and glycerin across their products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary offers a Superior routine fit for sensitive skin, while Good Molecules provides a High fit. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is very gentle and non-irritating, whereas The Ordinary products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Good Molecules' High fit. Reviewers also note that The Ordinary does better at 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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