Versus

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner Versus Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05%

Toner
Prescription
American Brand United States
Italian Brand Italy

Updated on April 16, 2025

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

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Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

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

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. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

When to use

2,094 Routines
56% use in am
44% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
241 Routines
1% use in am
99% use in pm
69% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner 17 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 24 ratings
Great Value (7) Works Well (6) Hydrating (6)
MichelleR's avatar

MichelleR

1 year ago
Review

Vitamin C Alternative
I am allergic to everything under the sun and I don't tolerate Vitamin C very well. This product is the only Vitamin C that hasn't made me break out. I plan to try more with the 3-0 Ethyl Ascorbic Acid version, but this is my go to in the meantime. I definitely don't have any chemical burns or sensitive reactions to this. It's my go to daily use for the summer!

CrystalUsa56's avatar

CrystalUsa56

2 years ago
Review

Good for dullness
It didn't cause any irritation, redness, etc. Doesn't have a huge impact on dark spots or hyperpigmentation but brightens skin and makes your face look less dull.

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% 11 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Works Well (1)
SailorMoon_954's avatar

SailorMoon_954

1 year ago
Review

help with my acne but drying

melisytee's avatar

melisa

2 months ago
Review

It is amazing for acne. I had forehead acne where it was cysts, comedies, fungal acne. It went all away using this. I had deep rooted scarring and hyperpigmentation marks and scars and this helped heal it all. Problem is you can burn yourself if you don’t use it sparingly, in a consistent routine. It also is very very drying so you need to moisture a lot. It also causes ur skin to flake as this Show more

#great value
#drying
#works well