Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% Versus Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% versus Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum .

Last updated on February 20, 2024. Published on September 11, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

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

Free From

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

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

Try a different comparison

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3%

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum

Essence American Brand United States

Serum American Brand United States

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Niacinamide Essence 3%

Starts at $16.00

Shop

Buy Niacinamide Serum

Starts at $12.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% 17 ingredients

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 9 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% 17 ingredients

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 9 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% 17 ingredients

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 9 ingredients

Water • Niacinamide • Propanediol • Glycerin • Sodium Hyaluronate • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Beta-Glucan • Hydroxyacetophenone • Dipropylene Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Xanthan Gum • Caprylyl Glycol • Acacia Senegal Gum • Algin • Benzoic Acid • Sorbic Acid • Sodium Hydroxide

Water • Niacinamide • Dipropylene Glycol • Glycerin • 1,2-Hexanediol • Betaine • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: 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

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Niacinamide

What it does: Smoothing

Community Rating: 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

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% contains this as ingredient number 2.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

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

Learn more about Glycerin

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% contains this as ingredient number 4.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Dipropylene Glycol

What it does: Masking, Solvent

Community Rating: Disliked

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% contains this as ingredient number 9.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Naturium Niacinamide Essence 3% contains this as ingredient number 11.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

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