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Is it whom or who? I am no native speaker, so I bet there are a few questionable choices in grammar and wording on this blog. But when I wrote my Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner Review, autocorrect suggested I´d use Whom instead of Who in my last heading and that caught me off guard.

Have I really been saying it wrong all these years? I thought whom was a little old fashioned, as in “to whom it may concern”? Should it have been: “Whom do I recommend it to” all along?

Answers on a postcard, but until then let me tell you if the Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner is really worth your money.

What the Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner claims

Promote bright, even skin and less visible pores with this alcohol-free toner from Good Molecules. Niacinamide Brightening Toner is formulated with a soothing blend of brightening ingredients that work to reduce the appearance of dullness, uneven skin tone, and enlarged pores.

Facts

Prize and size

One bottle, made from dark glass, contains 120 ml and retails for 14$ on the website here. It is vegan, alcohol-free and has a pH of 6.2 according to the website.

Texture and smell

Thicker than a toner and more watery than a serum, I´d say it feels like an essence to me (read more about the difference here). It is a clear liquid with no noticeable scent that absorbs quickly and without any tackiness into the skin.

How to use the Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner

While this product could be used morning and night, I primarily reach for it in the evenings. A few drops into the palm of my hand, pressed into my skin leaves my face prepared for the acids or  retinoids I plan to use afterwards. The texture is lightweight enough to be used as first step after cleansing and plays well with my serums and treatments.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner Ingredients

Water solv, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer emo|solv, Betaine h, Arbutin aox|sb, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract aox, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate so|h, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract so|sb, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract aox|emo, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Carbomer vc 0 1, Tromethamine buff, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate chel, Dextrin vc|h

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.

The main player is of course the Niacinamide, working to hydrate, sooth and brighten the skin. Added in are a few humectants, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (a form of Vitamin C, read more about the different types here) and Arbutin.

Arbutin works by hindering the melanin-forming activity of Tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for brown pigmentation, so combined with the Niacinamide, Licorice Root Extract and the Vitamin C derivative there should be some brightening action.

Does it live up to its claims?

Yes.

You can´t of course expect magic, but after using it for a long time I definitely feel like my skin looks more even and brighter.

How does the Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner compare to…

the pixi Vitamin C Tonic

Another toner that claims to brighten and that I really enjoy, the pixi Vitamin C Tonic focuses on Ascorbic Acid rather than a mixture of different brightening ingredients. I much prefer Ascorbic Acid over 2-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, but love the mixture of Niacinamide and Arbutin in the version by Good Molecules.

Bottom line? I can´t pick one and would probably use both.

Read my full review of the pixi Vitamin C Tonic here.

The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc Serum

Well, The Ordinarys version is a serum and has a much thicker consistency (and most likely a higher concentration of Niacinamide), so it would be my choice if niacinamide would be the only thing I was looking for. The combination with Zinc can be a tad drying on less oily skins than mine though, so for those the Niacinamide Brightening Toner might be the better option.

Read my full review of The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc here.

Would I repurchase?

Yes.

It is a lovely, soothing product that will help with brightening and is at the same time very affordable.

Whom do I recommend it to?

Everyone. It is formulated in a way that should work even for sensitive skins and contains a blend of ingredients that almost everything will enjoy in their routines.