The best of Good Molecules: all products I tried ranked. From cleansers to toners to serums to moisturizers, and concentrated on brightening. (What can I say? I’m easily swayed.)
Brightening Serum
I waffled so much about this one, I wrote TWO reviews about it (one & two). In the end, for me it comes down to this: if you want a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, this is a great option. It has an uncomplicated texture and formula, with one extra gimmick: it also includes arbutin. Does it really brighten and even your complexion? No idea, but as a preventive measure? You could do worse in choosing your hydrating serum.
Silicone-free Moisturizer
A sleeper hit. If you’re wondering why you never saw a review of it on the blog, it’s because I reviewed the sample on IG when I did my #projectuseitup (it’s saved in highlights!). Sure, the formula (ingredients) isn’t too exciting with mainly humectants making up the bulk, but the texture can hold its own in comparison to much pricier options. If push comes to shove, I actually don’t know if the Drunk Elephant Protini or the Silicone-free Moisturizer feels nicer on my skin. Plus: the minimalist formulation means that it doesn’t mess with all kinds of SPF you want to layer over it. Would I like a few bonuses like some ceramides, antioxidants or peptides? Sure. But to get over that free-shipping limit at Beautylish? Get this one.
15ml is $6 (at the moment the only size available)
Discoloration Correction Serum
Different to the Brightening Serum, I didn’t like the texture of the Discoloration Correction Serum (review). It feels a bit oily and not as luxuriously plush like the Brightening Serum. It mainly depends on Transexamic Acid for its discoloration fighting claim. If your skin tolerates it, I’d rather reach for both Vitamin C and retinol for that. On top of that, I didn’t see a change in my hyperpigmentation.
Niacinamide Brightening Toner
When I use a toner, I want it to be hydrating and soothing. This one (review) though managed to make my skin look agitated and uneven in the long run. It combines A LOT of active ingredients in a simple toner: there’s niacinamide, arbutin, vitamin C, Saccharomyces Extract and hyaluronic acid. No wonder it packs a punch! It’s nicely hydrating, but not overly so. I’m sad that my skin couldn’t tolerate it, but it is how it is.
Clarify and Cleanse Bar
If you’ve followed my #projectuseitup sample extravaganza on Instagram stories, you know that I tested an inordinately large number of face cleansers. I also used to get whiteheads around my nose whenever I tested one that was either too harsh, too fragranced, or just didn’t agree with my skin. And because my skin is a fan of cleansing oils and balms, I usually ran into problems whenever I tested foaming face washes.
Same with this soap-free cleansing bar. The pH is 5.5, there’s no additional fragrance and the surfactants used are gentle. (It reminds me a lot of cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.) But: when I used it two days in a row, the whiteheads started to turn up, a sure sign that my face STILL can’t tolerate this kind of cleanser. Pity.
What about the other GM products?
I’m not interested in the skincare products including acids or oils – I don’t enjoy using either. I’m also not really interested in either the Niacinamide or Peptide Serums. In the case of Niacinamides I’ve found my HG, and in that of the other, I’m not a peptide person – I feel my skin doesn’t really benefit from them. What’s left are cleansing balm, eye patches and eye cream. Maybe I’ll add them to a Beautylish order at one point, but at this point, the brand’s products don’t catch my interest a lot.
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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