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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum versus The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG .

Last updated on December 20, 2023. Published on September 03, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Daily Brightening Serum

Starts at $8.00
Shop

Buy Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Starts at $9.20

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 23.

3
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.

It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.

One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.

Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 15.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG contains this as ingredient number 24.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

67% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
27% have mixed ratings
15% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum 12 ingredients

Daily Brightening Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG 26 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 13 ratings
Doesn't Work (3) Drying (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1) Oily (1)
wthtay's avatar

wthtay

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Didn't notice any difference
My bottle lasted for probably 3~4 months I think? And I really didn't notice any difference... It's not hydrating...

Didn't notice any difference
My bottle lasted for probably 3~4 months I think? And I really didn't notice any difference... It's not hydrating enough and it didn't help with puffiness at all.

JuliaTrancoso_671's avatar

JuliaTrancoso_671

2 years ago · Combination Skin
Review

Unfortunately it didn't work for me.
I was very happy with the glow that this product gives the eye area, however, after a few weeks of use it...

Unfortunately it didn't work for me.
I was very happy with the glow that this product gives the eye area, however, after a few weeks of use it dried out my skin a lot.

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