Compare Products: Niacinamide Brightening Toner vs B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum

Good Molecules

Niacinamide Brightening Toner

Budget3%
$14 / 120ml — $0.12/ml
Sunday Riley

B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum

Premium10%
$65 / 30ml — $2.17/ml

Ingredient Analysis

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner is a precise, concentration-disclosed brightening serum with proven actives at known levels. Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum offers a rich botanical blend with antioxidant variety but no disclosed concentrations and contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive skin. Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner suits those who want measurable, targeted brightening. Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum suits those who prefer diverse plant-based antioxidants and tolerate fragrance.

Depends on skin goal and fragrance sensitivity
How they differ
Brightening efficacyGood Molecules

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner combines niacinamide, arbutin, vitamin C derivative, and licorice at disclosed concentrations. These are all established brightening actives working via different pathways.

Antioxidant varietySunday Riley

Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum layers resveratrol, gallic acid, EGCG, curcumin, and multiple polyphenol-rich plant extracts. The diversity of antioxidant sources is broader.

Irritation riskGood Molecules

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner is fragrance-free and uses minimal preservatives. Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum contains fragrance and chlorphenesin, both known sensitizers.

Formulation transparencyGood Molecules

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner discloses exact percentages for every ingredient. Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum lists no concentrations, making it impossible to judge active potency.

Skin-repair and calming supportSunday Riley

Asiaticoside and madecassoside are well-studied for barrier repair and redness reduction. Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner lacks dedicated repair-focused actives.

What the label does not tell us
  • •Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum discloses no concentrations. Niacinamide may be present at an effective level or a token amount; there is no way to confirm.
  • •3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid appears at only 0.1% in Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner. This is a low dose and brightening impact from this ingredient alone may be limited.
  • •Many botanicals in Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum (eggplant, basil, neem) have limited large-scale clinical data. Benefits are plausible but not proven at typical cosmetic use levels.
  • •Resveratrol has known stability challenges in aqueous formulas. Efficacy depends on how well the formula protects it, which is undisclosed.
  • •Cocoa seed extract, dextrin, and sodium hyaluronate in Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner appear without concentrations at the tail of the list, likely at very low levels.
  • •Phenyl trimethicone in Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum gives a silky texture but may not suit those who avoid silicones or use mineral sunscreen over their serum.

Analysis generated from both INCI lists using Claude. Ingredient order indicates relative concentration; exact percentages are usually undisclosed.

Who It's Designed For

Good Molecules
  • Those seeking gentle brightening without high-concentration actives
  • Users who want multiple brightening ingredients working together
  • Sensitive skin types who cannot tolerate 10% niacinamide
  • People targeting hyperpigmentation, dullness, and uneven tone
  • Those who prefer toner format over serum
Sunday Riley
  • Those seeking an antioxidant-rich niacinamide treatment
  • Users who want botanical anti-inflammatory ingredients alongside niacinamide
  • People addressing post-acne dark spots and uneven tone
  • Those who prefer prestige skincare with complex formulations
  • Users comfortable with light synthetic fragrance

Key Ingredients

Good Molecules

Niacinamide (3%), Arbutin (2%), Licorice Root Extract, Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Sunday Riley

Niacinamide (10%), Brightenyl (Diglucosyl Gallic Acid), Trans-Resveratrol, EGCG (Green Tea), Centella Asiatica

Product Composition

11% similarity (5 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
water (83.2%)glycerin (6.7%)niacinamide (3.0%)betaine (0.5%)ethylhexylglycerin (0.1%)
Only in Good Molecules (12)▾
12-hexanediol (2.2%)arbutin (2.0%)propanediol (2.0%)glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract (0.1%)3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid (0.1%)carbomer (0.06%)tromethamine (0.04%)trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate (0.02%)theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed extractsodium hyaluronatedextrin
Only in Sunday Riley (30)▾
phenyl trimethiconedimethyl isosorbideoctyldodecanolresveratroldiglucosyl gallic acidasiaticosidemadecassosideepigallocatechin gallatyl glucosideboswellia serrata resin extractcurcuma longa (turmeric) root extractocimum basilicum (basil) flower/leaf extractocimum sanctum leaf extractaloe barbadensis flower extractsolanum melongena (eggplant) fruit extractcoccinia indica fruit extractcorallina officinalis extractmelia azadirachta flower extractmelia azadirachta leaf extractpeg-8tetrahydrodiferuloylmethanepunica granatum fruit extractargania spinosa kernel oilcalendula officinalis flower extractpentylene glycolethoxydiglycolxanthan gumtamarindus indica seed gumphenoxyethanolchlorphenesinparfum/fragrance

User Feedback Patterns

Good Molecules
Gentle and effective for sensitive skin

Users with sensitive skin report good tolerance. The lower niacinamide concentration avoids irritation common with 10% formulas.

Improved skin brightness

Many users report brighter, more even-looking skin after consistent use. Results typically noted after 4-8 weeks.

Texture improvement

Users note smoother skin texture and smaller-looking pores with regular use.

Not hydrating enough for dry skin

Some users with dry skin find the toner is not moisturizing enough on its own and needs to be followed by additional hydration.

Slight tackiness

Some users note a slight tacky feeling after application, though this absorbs with time.

Sunday Riley
Texture and absorption

Users frequently praise the lightweight, watery texture that absorbs quickly without stickiness. Layers well under other products and makeup.

Brightening over time

Consistent reports of improved radiance and brighter complexion with regular use, though dark spot fading varies by individual.

Oil control

Oily skin users report reduced shine and less sebum production throughout the day.

Packaging concerns

Some users note the dropper packaging can cause product to dry and crust around the lid. Others have reported the product arriving discolored.

Price sensitivity

Mixed opinions on value. Some feel the botanical complex justifies the premium; others find it overpriced compared to budget niacinamide options.

Which Should You Buy?

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner offers great value at a lower price point. Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum may be worth the premium if you want Niacinamide (10%).

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