Review: Good Molecules Brightening Toner

Price: £10.77 / $14 USD

Where to Buy: Available on Beautylish among other websites!

Made in: The USA

Volume: 120ml

Vegan/Alcohol-Free/Cruelty Free

What is it?: A toner – to help promote a brighter and more even skin tone. This is also supposed to help reduce the visibility of pores.

Good for: Those with large pores and pigmented skin caused by acne. Also good for dry and dehydrated skins as I think this is hydrating!

Packaging: This is a glass bottle with a plastic screw top. It also has a little hole so you don’t over apply your product. I would say that still, a lot of product can end up coming out of this hole.

Directions: ‘Dispense onto a cotton pad and gently sweep over freshly cleansed skin. Can also be dispensed into palms and patted into skin until fully absorbed. Suitable for daily use.’

How I use it: I use this both to tone and to swipe off dirt after cleansing (I apply this to a cotton pad). It provides initial hydration to the skin AND it’s nice because it also is providing me with skin-beneficial ingredients such as Niacinamide, Arbutin and Vitamin C – so they can get to work on the skin before I add HA serums or peptide serums.

Texture: [see video below] – this is the same sort of texture as the Klairs supple preparation toner BUT this isn’t as sticky, and doesn’t ball up under serums! I really like it – it feels just thick enough to not feel like it just evaporates off your skin after applying.

I also have a video showing live swatches and talking about the product

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide (helps uneven skin toner, visible pores and helps the skin’s barrier function). Arbutin (helps with hyper pigmentation), Liquorice root extract (helps soothe inflammation and reduce an over-production of melanin). A stable form of vitamin C (so this is a vitamin-C derivative and isn’t pure L-ascorbic acid) – MAY help with collagen production.

NOTE: THE % IS NOT DISCLOSED OF NIACNIAMIDE, ARBUTIN OR Vitamin C Derivative! . So I have no idea how much of these key ingredients are in the product. But I would imagine that it’s quite low (think of the Pixi Retinol or Vitamin C tonic) as this can be used daily.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Betaine, Arbutin, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root
Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate,
Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Dextrin

FULL INGREDIENT BREAKDOWN IS ON INCIDECODER HERE

Fragrance?: None! A big reason why I love this, other than its light-ish texture.

Good under makeup?: Yes this has been fine!

How long have I been using this?: I used it to completion, so 2 months.

The Effect?: After 2 months, I genuinely think that this has improved my skin texture and has helped brighten my skin! My sister commented that my pores looked nice, and this is the only product I’ve been using with Niacinamide/or that is supposed to help with pores.

What I like:

• This has genuinely improved the texture of my skin
• I believe this has also helped brighten my skin
• Hydrates my skin
• Good under makeup
• No fragrance
• a big ml!
• Easy to use packaging
• Didn’t cause sensitivity/irritation

What I don’t like:

• Can get a bit messy as this is slightly thicker/gloopy
• Sometimes you can over-apply, so waste the product
• DOES NOT TELL YOU THE % Concentration of the key ingredients!

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4.4 /5 – A really nifty toner. I genuinely think that it improved the texture and look of my skin. I really think sensitive skins could use this and anyone with PIH. I’m just not happy that the % of the key ingredients are not included.

Would I purchase?: Absolutely I would. The only reason why I’m not now is because I also have the Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum – so I’m hoping that that does the same job as this toner and if not, better – because I’m guessing that it has a higher % of Niacinamide compared to this (alas there is no vitamin C in that serum or Arbutin). I think for those of you who are scared of using acids but are worried about large pores – this could be a nice alternative!

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.