Category: Finance | Title: Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum vs The Ordinary Comparison | Tag: Skincare | Meta Description: Compare Good Molecules hyaluronic acid serum and The Ordinary hyaluronic acid serum with ingredient data, pricing, and rankings...
Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum vs The Ordinary: Key Facts
Good Molecules is a skincare brand launched in 2019 and headquartered in New York, offering a hyaluronic acid serum priced around $12 USD for 1 oz as of mid-2025, while The Ordinary is a direct-to-consumer brand launched in 2013 by DECIEM, offering a hyaluronic acid serum typically priced around $6 USD for 1 oz, with both brands emphasizing transparent ingredient lists and accessible pricing Forbes. Good Molecules positions itself as a mid-range accessible brand with a focus on simple formulations, while The Ordinary is part of DECIEM, a beauty conglomerate that has expanded rapidly since its founding and is known for clinical-style packaging and ingredient-focused marketing.
In ingredient terms, Good Molecules hyaluronic acid serum typically lists hyaluronic acid as a primary active, often combined with glycerin and water, while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum lists sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol as key actives, with both products formulated to support skin hydration without fragrance or essential oils in the core hyaluronic acid formulations.
Ingredient Profiles and Formulation Differences
Hyaluronic Acid Types and Molecular Weights
Good Molecules hyaluronic acid serum uses hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate in its formulation, aiming for multi-weight hydration that can penetrate different skin layers, while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 uses a multi-weight approach combining low, medium, and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid derivatives alongside panthenol, a provitamin B5 that supports surface hydration The Ordinary. Both brands avoid essential oils and fragrance in their hyaluronic acid serums, and both are widely available through their official websites and major retailers such as Sephora and Ulta.
Additional Ingredients and Supporting Actives
Good Molecules formulations often include glycerin and squalane in some hyaluronic acid products to support occlusion and moisture retention, while The Ordinary pairs its hyaluronic acid with panthenol and sometimes vitamin B derivatives to enhance surface hydration, with neither brand including retinoids or strong exfoliating acids in their core hyaluronic acid serums.
Pricing, Availability, and Market Position
Retail Pricing and Value Comparison
Good Molecules hyaluronic acid serum is typically priced around $12 USD for a 1 oz bottle, while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is commonly priced around $6 USD for 1 oz, making The Ordinary the lower-cost option per ounce as of mid-2025, with both brands frequently offering discounts through their own websites and subscription programs SEC EDGAR. Good Molecules is distributed through its own site, Amazon, and some specialty retailers, while The Ordinary is sold through its website, Sephora, Ulta, and other major beauty retailers globally.
Brand Ownership and Corporate Structure
The Ordinary is owned by DECIEM, a beauty and wellness holding company backed by investors and publicly reported financials, while Good Molecules operates as an independent direct-to-consumer brand with a lean structure focused on affordable, ingredient-forward skincare, and both brands have grown significantly in market share within the affordable skincare segment since their respective launches.