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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, and more built around key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. The Ordinary features products that fit sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin best, while the brand is known for utilizing squalane. Conversely, Good Molecules suits sensitive skin and acne-prone skin best with its gentle yet effective compositions. Ultimately, both brands differ through their specific formulations, origins, and targeted standouts for concerns like dark spots.

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..

beautymatter.comgoodmolecules.compitchbook.compreqin.com

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

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 814.57 · 90% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · SAR 930.09 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for oily skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 867.55 · 92% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · SAR 1,384.06 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

The Ordinary vs Good Molecules routines for combination skin

Buy The Ordinary routine · SAR 981.41 · 92% fitBuy Good Molecules routine · SAR 1,216.20 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which is better?

Both brands are great, but The Ordinary has an edge for clearing acne while Good Molecules offers better value and hydration. Reviewers find Good Molecules more gentle, whereas The Ordinary products on this page achieve a superior routine fit for dry, oily, combination, mature skin, and dark spots.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Good Molecules?

The Ordinary products on this page have better fit levels across most skin types, while Good Molecules is rated better by reviewers for hydration, lightweight absorption, and being gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a superior fit for dry skin, whereas Good Molecules is a high fit. Both brands offer fragrance-free products with key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which cleanser is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer cleansers with high fit levels for dry and sensitive skin on this page, but The Ordinary also features a glycolipid cleanser with superior fit for dry skin. Reviewers find Good Molecules generally more gentle, while The Ordinary products on this page are often praised for acne clearing.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Good Molecules?

Good Molecules is more affordable than The Ordinary, according to reviewers on the page.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for fading dark spots?

The Ordinary is superior for fading dark spots due to its higher fit level across the products on this page, while Good Molecules is high. Niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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

When it comes to smoothing skin texture, both The Ordinary and Good Molecules perform equally well according to reviewers on the products on this page.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for oily skin?

The Ordinary offers a superior routine fit for oily skin compared to Good Molecules, which provides a high fit.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules: which moisturizer is better?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules offer well-rated moisturizers on this page, but The Ordinary reaches a Superior fit level for dry skin compared to High for Good Molecules. Reviewers note that Good Molecules moisturizers deliver great value and hydration, while The Ordinary products on this page provide strong overall performance for dry skin.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for sensitive skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules are great for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates their routines as Superior. The Ordinary focuses best on sensitive skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily skin, while Good Molecules is best for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and dry sensitive skin.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for acne-prone skin?

Both The Ordinary and Good Molecules fit acne-prone skin with a Superior Lovi level. The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers better acne clearance, while Good Molecules is known for being very gentle and non-irritating.

The Ordinary or Good Molecules for mature skin?

The Ordinary provides a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas Good Molecules offers a High fit. Reviewers note that both brands deliver great value, though The Ordinary is a preferred choice for clearing blemishes while Good Molecules is often cited for gentle hydration.

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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