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I am not the biggest fan of “free from” claims. In fact, I did a whole blogpost stating that the “free from” marketing is actually dangerous. That is, however, not the reason why it took me so long to film a review on the Good Molecules Silicone Free Priming Moisturizer.

No, the reason is that I struggled to determine whether or not I liked it.

First and foremost, I am a huge fan of silicones in my skincare (read more about them here), and many of you with oily skin can probably relate. I do get however that some people are allergic to them and that others struggle with pilling when using silicone-heavy products.

Good Molecules use a plant-based silicone alternative, namely Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, which aims to provide the same silky, lightweight feel that silicones give to the skin.

What Good Molecules Silicone Free Priming Moisturizer claims

Smooth, hydrate, and prep your skin for makeup with Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer from Good Molecules. Formulated with macadamia seed oil, shea butter, and a naturally derived silicone alternative, this lightweight daily moisturizer works to strengthen, condition, and protect skin from environmental stress—all while creating a smooth, plumped-up canvas for flawless makeup application.

Good Molecules Silicone Free Priming Moisturizer Facts

Prize and size

The pump contains 50 ml and retails for 14$ on the website here. The pump works very well in distributing the recommended pea sized amount (which I personally feel is not THAT much when it comes to applying a moisturizer).

Texture and smell

Lightweight with a lovely slip, a non greasy feel and a silky smooth texture, just like I know it from my siliconey favorites. The scent is fresh, but barely noticeable.

How to use the Good Molecules Silicone Free Priming Moisturizer

While there would be no harm in applying it at night, it is marketed as day time moisturizer, and that is what I recommend it for too. My problem is though: Even for my combination skin it is nowhere enough in terms of keeping my skin hydrated. I would go so far that in terms of locking in hydration, it does not make a difference whether or not I apply this to my face.

But before you click off, thinking it is a complete waste of money, hear me out: While I don´t like it as a moisturizer, I really enjoy it used as a primer. My skin is smoothed out, my makeup applies more even, all that without adding shine or greasiness.

Good Molecules Silicone Free Priming Moisturizer Ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau solv, Propanediol solv|h, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate emo, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter emo|vc, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Cetearyl Olivate emu, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil emo, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1–2, Sorbitan Olivate emu, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate emo, Carbomer vc 0 1, Tromethamine buff, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate chel, Camellia Sinensis Leaf perf, Water solv, Citric Acid buff

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.

When you look at the ingredient list, that experience isn´t that surprising. It contains barely any humectants, and the ones that are inside appear at the later part of the ingredient list. It does contain emollients like Shea Butter and the aforementioned Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, but the lightweightlessness (is that even a word?) these provide probably make it less suitable as moisturizer for all but the really oily skin types.

More notable ingredients are Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, which should actually make it great for dry skin types, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract aka Green Tea Extract and Vitamin E as antioxidants.

Does it live up to its claims?

Yes.

Because if you ask me, “Smooth, hydrate, and prep your skin for makeup with Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer from Good Molecules“ actually reads more like an advertisement for a primer than for a day cream.

How does the Good Molecules Silicone Free Priming Moisturizer compare to…

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Obviously I am comparing two very different products here both by price point as by the fact that the Murad one claims a broadspectrum SPF 30, but I think they do have similarities.

Both are in my opinion best used as primer rather than as a cream or as a sunscreen, and both have a similar lightweight feel on the skin. Murad contains silicones and is a tad more silky, makes my skin look even smoother than the Good Molecules version, but can pill when combined with the wrong makeup. It has quite a few plant extracts for anti aging and of course the charm of added sun protection, but that would not be a selling point for me (I will go into more detail regarding sunscreen in makeup products in an upcoming video)

Read my full review of the Murad Invisiblur here

Would I repurchase?

No.

I like it as primer, but I don´t really use a primer on a day to day basis, so I don´t really feel the need to have on in my stash.

Whom do I recommend the Good Molecules Silicone Free Priming Moisturizer to?

People looking for a primer, especially those with oily skin and those allergic to silicones.