Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Versus Mesoestetic Brightening Foam
Updated on January 22, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free face cleansers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, 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, common allergens, oils or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain sulfates
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
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 21 ingredients
Mesoestetic Brightening Foam 31 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 21 ingredients
Mesoestetic Brightening Foam 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Acrylates Copolymer
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
HumectantDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Polyquaternium-4
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Jojoba Esters, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-4, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Cocamide DEA
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientGlycolic Acid
Buffering
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAlteromonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol Oleate
EmollientGlycol Distearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentCocamide Mea
EmulsifyingLaureth-10
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Isohexadecane, Glycolic Acid, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Isopropyl Myristate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lactobacillus Ferment, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 80, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Butylene Glycol Oleate, Glycol Distearate, Tocopherol, Maltodextrin, Cocamide Mea, Laureth-10, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
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 WaterSodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is a foaming, cleansing, and emulsifying ingredient. It is created from palm kernel oil or coconut oil. SLES is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate. It is much milder and less likely to irritate.
SLES helps create foam in personal products. It also prevents ingredients from separating, helping to elongate the shelf life.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate is a type of sulfate. It can be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have concerns.
Learn more about Sodium Laureth SulfateCocamidopropyl Betaine is a fatty acid created by mixing similar compounds in coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, a compound with two amino groups.
This ingredient is a surfactant and cleanser. It helps gather the dirt, pollutants, and other impurities in your skin to be washed away. It also helps thicken a product and make the texture more creamy.
Being created from coconut oil means Cocamidopropyl Betaine is hydrating for the skin.
While Cocamidopropyl Betaine was believed to be an allergen, a study from 2012 disproved this. It found two compounds in unpure Cocamidopropyl Betaine to be the irritants: aminoamide and 3-dimethylaminopropylamine. High-grade and pure Cocamidopropyl Betaine did not induce allergic reactions during this study.
Learn more about Cocamidopropyl BetaineGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 21 ingredients
Mesoestetic Brightening Foam 31 ingredients
Reviews
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