Compare Products: Niacinamide Brightening Toner vs Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

Good Molecules

Niacinamide Brightening Toner

Budget3%
$14 / 120ml — $0.12/ml
The Inkey List

Niacinamide Oil Control Serum

Budget10%
$10.5 / 30ml — $0.35/ml

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
The Inkey List
  • Oily and combination skin seeking oil control
  • Acne-prone skin wanting to reduce blemishes
  • Enlarged pores and uneven texture
  • Those sensitive to zinc who want a niacinamide serum
  • Niacinamide beginners looking for a gentle entry point

Key Ingredients

Good Molecules

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

The Inkey List

Niacinamide (10%), Hyaluronic Acid (1%)

Product Composition

21% similarity (7 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
water (83.2%)glycerin (6.7%)niacinamide (3.0%)propanediol (2.0%)ethylhexylglycerin (0.1%)trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate (0.02%)sodium hyaluronate
Only in Good Molecules (10)
12-hexanediol (2.2%)arbutin (2.0%)betaine (0.5%)glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract (0.1%)3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid (0.1%)carbomer (0.06%)tromethamine (0.04%)theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed extractdextrin
Only in The Inkey List (16)
butylene glycolphenoxyethanolhydroxyethylcellulosephospholipidssqualanexanthan gumglycine soja (soybean) oilallantoinpolysorbate 60panthenolglycolipidsleuconostoc/radish root ferment filtratesorbitan isostearateglycine soja (soybean) sterolscitric acidhyaluronic acid

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.

The Inkey List
No pilling

Multiple users note this formula does not ball up under other products or makeup, unlike some competing niacinamide serums.

More hydrating than expected

Users with dry or combination skin report this feels more hydrating than pure niacinamide serums with zinc, likely due to the squalane, HA, and lack of zinc.

Packaging frustrations

The squeeze bottle with press-down cap makes it difficult to control how much product dispenses. Some users report buildup around the opening.

Visible pore improvement

Consistent feedback about reduced pore appearance within 2-4 weeks of daily use.

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