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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution versus Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner .

Last updated on July 27, 2023. Published on March 25, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

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.

Toner Canadian Brand Canada
Toner American Brand United States

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

Starts at $8.54
Shop

Buy Niacinamide Brightening Toner

Starts at $14.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
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

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

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.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 6.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

3
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

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 7.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Absorbent
Community Rating: Loved

Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.

As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.

Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.

Learn more about Dextrin

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 32.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner contains this as ingredient number 16.

5
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 36.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner contains this as ingredient number 13.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 41.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

69% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet
81% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
6% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 21 reviews
CustardBunny's Avatar'
Mar 12, 2024

Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for everything skinwise" lol.
Well it HURTS like a bitch. God it stings.
Absolutely no...

Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for everything skinwise" lol.
Well it HURTS like a bitch. God it stings.
Absolutely no difference, if anything worse skin issues. Around the buttocks area.

Best thing that couldve happened to me? African Black Soap.

Drying
Broke Me Out
Irritating
Sticky
No Scent
Doesn't Work
ZarephLae's Avatar'
Dec 9, 2023

Glycolic acid is an AHA which is great for exfoliation, acne, oil-control, and aging. However, because it's an AHA, there can be drawbacks. It can be drying so only use this if you have normal to oily skin and follow with a moisturizer....

Glycolic acid is an AHA which is great for exfoliation, acne, oil-control, and aging. However, because it's an AHA, there can be drawbacks. It can be drying so only use this if you have normal to oily skin and follow with a moisturizer. AHA's do cause photosensitivity which means your skin is more susceptible to uv radiation. Because of this it's recommended to use any product that has AHA's at night but you can use it during the daytime provided you follow it with a SPF.

Great Value
Drying
Light
Absorbs Well
Light Scent
Works Well
m.ariam9's Avatar'
Mar 20, 2024

it’s a good in exfoliating and applying it 2 times a week followed by a good moisturizer prevents any irritations

it’s a good in exfoliating and applying it 2 times a week followed by a good moisturizer prevents any irritations

Great Value
Absorbs Well
Works Well

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner 16 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 10 reviews
MichelleR's Avatar'
Nov 10, 2023

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...

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!

HarleyB's Avatar'
Jun 4, 2023

Burned
This caused burning and redness immediately after applying, made my face very sensitized. Felt like I was using a strong chemical exfoliant, not sure what ingredient caused this.

Burned
This caused burning and redness immediately after applying, made my face very sensitized. Felt like I was using a strong chemical exfoliant, not sure what ingredient caused this.

CrystalUsa56's Avatar'
Jul 5, 2023

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.

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.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution.

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