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Updated on November 16, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum
Curology Custom Serum (Niacinamide 4%, Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic 4%)

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Discoloration Correcting Serum
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide  •  6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Cetyl Tranexamate Hcl Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Cetyl Tranexamate Hcl.

Cetearyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2 / 1
Fatty Alcohol  •  3 Concerns

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

2 Com. / 1 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Ceratonia Siliqua Gum Emollient, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking

Ceratonia Siliqua Gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. You might know this ingredient as Carob Gum or Locust Bean Gum. It is used to stabilize other ingredients and improve the texture of products.

Unknown Full details ->
Caprylyl Glycol Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum Emulsion Stabilising

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum is from the seeds of Tamarindus indica. It is more commonly known as tamarind.

Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Custom Serum (Niacinamide 4%, Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic 4%)
Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide  •  6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Clindamycin Phosphate

Clindamycin Phosphate is a perscription ingredient used to treat acne.

Azelaic Acid Buffering, Masking
5 Benefits

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid derived from grains. This ingredient is effective in treating acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Skin Conditioning
2 Benefits

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

C13-14 Isoparaffin Emollient, Solvent
2 Concerns

C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Laureth-7 Emulsifying

Laureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.

Disliked Full details ->
Maltodextrin Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.

Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Polyacrylamide

Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.

Disliked Full details ->
Tocopheryl Acetate Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Vitamin E  •  Antioxidant  •  Helps brighten skin

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Triethylene Glycol Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance

Triethylene Glycol is a fragrance.

Unknown Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Smoothing
Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Discoloration Correcting Serum
7
1
1
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Custom Serum (Niacinamide 4%, Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic 4%)
7
1
4
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

1,064 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
52 Routines
10% use in am
90% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum 10 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 18 ratings
Doesn't Work (6) Sticky (2) Broke Me Out (2) Hydrating (1) Great Value (1) Drying (1)
bsabrina's avatar

bsabrina

1 year ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

irritating
didn't notice much a difference with my dark spots/PIH. had to stop using it because it broke me out :(

AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

4 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

(Tried Jun 2022) Can't say I was particularly fond of this product mainly because of the fact that I didn't really see a difference in any of my...

(Tried Jun 2022) Can't say I was particularly fond of this product mainly because of the fact that I didn't really see a difference in any of my dark spots/hyperpigmentation improving. Not sure if this is more so formulated to be stronger for those with fairer skin.

Curology Custom Serum (Niacinamide 4%, Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic 4%) 13 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
USAFGal09's avatar

USAFGal09

1 year ago · Oily Skin
Review

HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT
The title says it all; this is the one skincare product that I can 110% tell you has made a difference in my skin. I started...

HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT
The title says it all; this is the one skincare product that I can 110% tell you has made a difference in my skin. I started using it in 2012 and every time I've stopped, I notice the difference. And yes, the difference is visual! I love that it's tailored to you makes it worth the money.

ttayitsmylife's avatar

ttayitsmylife

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Because it has Tret in it.