The skin rundown before we delve in; I have normal skin with the tendency to be oily at times. I am extremely adamant about wearing sunscreen as well as removing all traces of make-up before bed. I do not smoke and I drink more water than necessary (it’s probably actually an excessive amount). While I do get the occasional breakout I would consider myself to have “nice” skin.
When the team at Beautylish reached out to me to see if I would like to try their new Good Molecules skincare brand I was intrigued by it’s accessible price point and colourful packaging.
I was excited to try the skincare system they sent which included a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer.
Clarify & Cleanse Bar
Forget what you heard about about washing your face with bars, this cleanser will change your mind. Ultra-gentle with a blend of clays for purifying and oils for hydration, this cleansing bar has complete made me reevaluate what I thought I knew about bar soap.
I work this into a lather and then use my fingertips on my face to cleanse and massage my face at the same time. I also love the idea of using bars instead of traditional cleansers because it’s package free! It’s soap-free and I found it gentle enough to rub on my eyes as well.
$11 CAD
Niacinamide Brightening Toner
Is it just me or is niacinamide having it’s moment in the sun? With a bevy of benefits, niacinamide seems to be the it ingredient for skincare at the moment. It’s linked with retaining moisture, minimizing redness and acne, regulating oil and reducing fine line and wrinkles.
This is the kind of toner I like. It cleanses without leaving my skin feeling tight and stripped of all of its moisture. The Good Molecules toner also contains stabilized vitamin C which will boost collagen and fade dark spots. There is a common misconception that vitamin C and niacinamide do not mix well, but it’s actually pure vitamin C that can’t be mixed with niacinamide. Because of the chemical reaction it can leave your skin feeling tingly and a bit red. Depending on how they’re combined they can also neutralize one another, so be sure to check and then double check your skincare before creating a skincare cocktail!
$19 CAD
Niacinamide Serum
Let’s keep this niacinamide train chugging along. The niacinamide serum was the stand out product for me. I’ve used niacinamide serum for years because I do find it helps decrease the appearance of my pores plus it works wonders on keratosis pilaris (chicken skin.) I was previously using The Ordinary one but comparing the two the Good Molecules is leaps and bounds better.
Anyone who has used the Ordinary one would tell you that it’s tacky to the touch and feels thick whereas the Good Molecules version actually applies like a serum making it better for layering.
$8 CAD (fucking insane, eh?)
Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer
Light hydration and creates the perfect canvas for makeup application? I am sold. Perfect for warmer weather, I love any products that multitask and this moisturizer checks off multiple boxes. I love that it’s fragrance free and penetrates skin quickly without any residue. It also uses a plant-derived silicone alternative to fill it pores making it a great primer as well.
$19 CAD
The Verdict
I know that the difference in lighting leaves a lot to be desired, but I tried. Also you can see my little moustache in the second pic. You’re welcome.
The total retail value for everything is only $57! Unheard of high quality skincare! The cleanser and the niacinamide serum were definitely my favourite items, but overall there was nothing I was unhappy with.
I definitely notice an improvement in texture plus a reduction in redness with continuous use. Lately my quarantined skin has been hyper sensitive and I even got a little sunburnt on my neck the other week. I found that none of these products irritated my burn at all.
The packaging is fun, I love the touch of psychedelic colouring and clean packaging. Both the toner and the serum in particular feel luxe because they come in glass bottles. I have also never purchased anything from Beautylish before but after browsing their Canadian site I placed an order since they do have brands not available via Sephora, including a few of the other Good Molecules products to try. I honestly cannot get over how accessible the price point is. Think of Good Molecules as an elevated version of The Ordinary that takes the guesswork out of coming up with your own concoctions.
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