Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying Clarity Cream Versus Murad Intense Recovery Cream
Updated on March 20, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying Clarity Cream 31 ingredients
Murad Intense Recovery Cream 54 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying Clarity Cream 31 ingredients
Murad Intense Recovery Cream 54 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentPropanediol
SolventSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingZinc PCA
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTanacetum Annuum Flower Oil
Masking
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
HumectantMagnesium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Squalane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Propanediol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Zinc PCA, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Tanacetum Annuum Flower Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cellulose Gum, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Cetearyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Myristate
EmollientStearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Citrus Medica Peel Oil
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil
Masking
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil
Masking
Chlorella Emersonii Extract
Skin ConditioningMirabilis Jalapa Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventOctadecene
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Betaine, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Myristate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycol Distearate, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Citrus Medica Peel Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Chlorella Emersonii Extract, Mirabilis Jalapa Extract, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Xanthan Gum, Propanediol, Octadecene, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCetearyl 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 AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
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 PropanediolAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract is an extract of the flowers of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae
Aloe contains the antioxidants Vitamins A, C, and E.
It also contains sugars in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, choline, many common minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Aloe is known to be anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, healing, and protect against UV rays.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Flower ExtractCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract is also known as Ivy Gourd Fruit Extract. It has skin conditioning properties.
Corallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.
Corallina Officinalis Extract contains antioxidant and emollient properties.
Extracted polysaccharides, galactose and xylose, in red algae showed antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help with anti-aging by neutralizing free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA. Galactose is also a PHA.
Corallina Officinalis is structurally similar to coral due to its high calcium content.
Learn more about Corallina Officinalis ExtractCurcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant. Antioxidants help neutralize unstable free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules may damage your skin's cells and DNA. Curcumin may help with anti-aging.
Curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin and reduce irritation. On top of that, curcumin has been shown to help prevent hyperpigmentation from sun damage.
The anti-microbial property of turmeric can make it effective in treating acne. This property has also been shown to help regulate the production of sebum.
Learn more about Curcuma Longa Root ExtractMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
The flowers of this tree are lilac colored.
Learn more about Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
We don't have a description for Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract yet.
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.
Holy Basil is rich in antioxidants due to its high romarinic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin content. This gives it skin brightening and soothing properties.
While Holy Basil has many claims to help fight acne, more research is needed.
One thing to note is the presence of tannins; tannins are naturally found in nature. However, this compound may be skin-sensitizing.
Learn more about Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractWe don't have a description for Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract yet.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying Clarity Cream 31 ingredients
Murad Intense Recovery Cream 54 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying Clarity Cream 31 ingredients
Murad Intense Recovery Cream 54 ingredients
I really like this thick cream & it has helped with the redness. I have combo skin, I use it with the Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil for slugging. I also use it when my skin is really dry on my dry spots.
