Clearstem Skincare Sulfur Spot & Mask Versus Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask
Updated on November 21, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
Clearstem Skincare Sulfur Spot & Mask 30 ingredients
Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask 35 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clearstem Skincare Sulfur Spot & Mask 30 ingredients
Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Sulfur 5%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingBentonite
AbsorbentCetearyl Olivate
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium PCA
HumectantCitric Acid
Buffering
Sulfur 5%, Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Acacia Senegal Gum, Bentonite, Cetearyl Olivate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Zinc Oxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Triethyl Citrate, Maltodextrin, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid
Sulfur 5%
Antiseborrhoeic
Water
Skin ConditioningKaolin
Abrasive
Isopentyldiol
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentPeat Extract
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Propanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBisabolol
Masking
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCoco-Glucoside
CleansingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sulfur 5%, Water, Kaolin, Isopentyldiol, Bentonite, Peat Extract, Zinc Oxide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Allantoin, Salicylic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bisabolol, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Sulfur is a commonly occurring element on Earth (and our universe!). In cosmetics, it helps kill bacteria, reduces sebum, and provides exfoliation. This makes it an effective ingredient to reduce breakouts and fight acne.
As a ketayolytic agent, it breaks down the top layer of skin. This is a form of exfoliation and may help decrease acne and hyperpigmentation.
Studies show sulfur has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Sulfur can be drying if used excessively or at higher concentrations. We recommend speaking with a medical professional if you have any concerns.
Ancient Greece, India, China, and Egypt have used sulfur in both traditional medicines and for household use.
Learn more about SulfurWater. 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 WaterKaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.
Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.
Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.
The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.
Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.
Learn more about KaolinGlycerin 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 GlycerinCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholAcacia Senegal Gum has skin soothing, thickening, and formulation stabilizing properties. It comes from the Acacia tree that is native to sub-Saharan Africa.
Bentonite is an aluminium phyllosilicate clay with great absorbent properties. The name 'bentonite' comes from the area where the largest source is found: Fort Benton, Wyoming.
As a clay, bentonite is often used to absorb excess oil and provide exfoliation. It has also been shown to have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show bentonite was effective at calming dermatitis from poison ivy and in diaper dermatitis of infants. Bentonite has also been shown to act as a barrier against toxic compounds on your skin.
Sunscreens containing bentonite display higher water resistance and stay on the skin for much longer. The sunscreens containing bentonite also show higher potency and UV light absorbtion.
Bentonite is naturally created from volcanic ash and several natural weathering/hydrothermal processes.
A common usage of bentonite is removing excess protein from white wines. Bentonite contains a property of being able to absorb large amounts of protein from aqueous solutions.
Phyllosilicate clay has a structure formed by sheets.
Learn more about BentoniteXanthan 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 GumZinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.
Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide may be harmful to coral reefs - though the verdict is not entirely out on this one.
Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.
Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.
Learn more about Zinc OxideCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Clearstem Skincare Sulfur Spot & Mask 30 ingredients
Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Clearstem Skincare Sulfur Spot & Mask 30 ingredients
Works for acne I think but smells like rotten eggs because of the sulfur and pills
Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask 35 ingredients
Lovely face mask, doesn't irritate my sensitive skin, I notice smaller pores and less black heads with only 3 uses. When I used another brand of sulfur mask I developed some sort of irritation, but this one is very soothing and leaves my skin baby soft.
