Good Molecules
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Good Molecules is highly regarded as an effective and budget-friendly skincare brand, frequently recommended as a comparable alternative to The Ordinary and The Inkey List. Users consistently praise the brand for its lightweight, non-sticky formulas that help manage oil production without causing breakouts. Its product line is noted for having well-reviewed formulas for basic serums like Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin C.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing across the product line
- Effective at regulating oil production for some users
- Non-sticky and non-greasy textures that absorb well
- Reliable basic serums (Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C)
- Generally well-tolerated by users prone to breakouts
Cons
- Some users find the products too similar to The Ordinary, which may not suit everyone
- Presence of potential 'trigger' ingredients in specific formulations like sunscreen
Caveats
- Users recommend patch testing for at least two days, especially for products containing ingredients like Butyloctyl Salicylate or caprylyl glycol
- Often viewed as interchangeable with other budget-focused brands, which may lead to mixed results if those brands didn't work for you
Best for
- Budget-conscious skincare routines
- Oily or combination skin types looking for oil control
- Users seeking simple, ingredient-focused serums
Avoid if
- You have a known sensitivity to Butyloctyl Salicylate or caprylyl glycol
- You have previously had poor results with similar budget brands like The Ordinary
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence is drawn from a specific window between January and March 2026 with a median age of 198 days, primarily sourced from r/SkincareAddiction.
Sentiment
14 positive (82%) · 2 mixed (12%) · 1 negative (6%)
Trust + time weighted score: +82% · raw score 76%
What redditors said (10 of 17)
Brands to look into: (creams/gels) the ordinary, good molecules, inkey list. (serums) cos de baha, anua.
I do some skincare like retinol, lactic acid too. Good molecules is a good brand.
Good Molecules and INKEY List have lots of well-reviewed formulas;
I use the one by Good Molecules but The Ordinary has a good affordable one too.
a basic hyaluronic acid serum (like The Ordinary or Good Molecules) works for both AM/PM and just helps your moisturizer work better.
Yes I love good molecules lol. It's been the only skincare line that hasn't made me breakout, dry out, or sit on top of my skin or feel sticky all day. It's helped my oil production slow down a bit as well.
I’ll check out the Good Molecules you suggested! Thank you for helping :)
Try the CeraVe or good molecules ones.
Then go with the niacinamide serum (Good Molecules has a really affordable option),
I did look up the ingredients and they both have similar common "trigger" ingredients that people who react to sunscreen watch out for. **Butyloctyl Salicylate**, caprylyl glycol, and caprylhydroxamic acid. Though, if you haven't reacted to these ingredients before...I'd just buy it like usual but patch test it for about 2 days before using.
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