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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 that offer serums, moisturizers, and more, built around hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. While The Ordinary fits dry sensitive skin and dry skin best, both brands suit dry skin well. The Canadian line relies on squalane alongside hyaluronic acid and glycerin, whereas the American range centers its gentle formulations around glycerin and hyaluronic acid to address diverse moisture and clarity needs.

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 · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which is better?

Both brands are great choices depending on your specific skin goals. The Ordinary fits oily and combination skin better, while Good Molecules is superior for acne-prone and mature skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

The Ordinary and Good Molecules are both affordable skincare brands, but they differ in their strengths across various skin concerns and product formulations. The products on this page show that The Ordinary fits best for dry sensitive skin, dry skin, and oily skin, while Good Molecules is best for dry skin, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is better for value, hydration, and gentle use, whereas The Ordinary is better for clearing acne.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules fit dry skin with a superior Lovi fit level. The Ordinary fits best for dry skin and dry sensitive skin based on its brand-focused routines, while every product on the Good Molecules page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer cleansers on this page that are suitable for various skin types, but neither brand page singles out one cleanser as universally better than the other.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is more affordable than The Ordinary, as reviewers highlight great value and price for Good Molecules while The Ordinary features affordable and great value serums.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for fading dark spots?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are excellent for fading dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a superior fit level for skin with dark spots. Reviewers also mention that both brands offer effective dark spot fading serums.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which brand is more gentle and non-irritating?

Good Molecules is noted for being more gentle and non-irritating compared to The Ordinary, with reviewers frequently highlighting the brand as very gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

For oily skin, The Ordinary has a Superior routine fit, whereas Good Molecules has a High routine fit.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer exceptional moisturizers, with products like The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA and Good Molecules Lightweight Daily Moisturizer achieving Superior fit levels for dry skin. The Ordinary fits oily skin at a High level and combination skin at a Superior level, while Good Molecules fits both at a High level. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are key moisturizing ingredients across the products on this page to help retain moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are great for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands as having a Superior routine fit for this skin type. Reviewers note that Good Molecules is very gentle, while The Ordinary offers gentle and non-irritating serums.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Good Molecules offers a Superior routine fit compared to The Ordinary, which has a High routine fit. The products on this page from Good Molecules include options like Overnight Exfoliating Treatment that help clear blemishes, though some users note it may cause breakouts.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for mature skin?

Good Molecules fits mature skin with a Superior routine level, while The Ordinary reaches a High level. Reviewers note that Good Molecules excels in providing great value and hydration, and its products help fade dark spots and improve skin texture.

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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