Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner Versus Paula's Choice BHA 9 Treatment

This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Arbutin to brighten dull-looking skin and fade the look of dark spots.

This acne treatment is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and refine the look of pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glycerin

Niacinamide

1,2-Hexanediol

Propanediol

Arbutin

Betaine

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Ethylhexylglycerin

Carbomer

Tromethamine

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate

Dextrin

Tocopherol

Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Arbutin, Betaine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Tocopherol

Propylene Glycol

PEG-75 Stearate

PEG-8

Salicylic Acid

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Butylene Glycol

Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract

Sea Whip Extract

Arginine

Polysorbate 20

Disodium EDTA

Propylene Glycol, PEG-75 Stearate, PEG-8, Water, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Butylene Glycol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Sea Whip Extract, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

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

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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