Murad Clarifying Cleanser Versus Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Updated on August 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe face cleansers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
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
Murad Clarifying Cleanser 31 ingredients
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel 25 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Murad Clarifying Cleanser 31 ingredients
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel 25 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentSilver Citrate
AntimicrobialMenthol
Masking
PEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Angelica Archangelica Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Cymbopogon Nardus Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Orange Roughy Oil
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Parfum
Masking
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Methyl Gluceth-20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Silver Citrate, Menthol, PEG-150 Distearate, Zea Mays Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Polysorbate 80, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene, Angelica Archangelica Leaf Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Orange Roughy Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingCitrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citronellal
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium Cocoamphoacetate
CleansingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine
Cleansing1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Citric Acid
Buffering
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
PPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citronellal, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Citric Acid, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Disodium EDTA, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate
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 WaterCocamidopropyl 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 BetaineSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is a cleansing agent made from a mixture of long chain sulfonate salts. It can also help produce foam.
This ingredient may be drying. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric 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 AcidCitrus Limon Peel Oil is created from the peels of the lemon. It is used to add a lemon-scent to products. Lemon peel oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. However, it may also cause phototoxicity and sensitize skin.
Lemon peel oil contains limonene, a skin sensitizing ingredient. Another component is furanocoumarin, which induces phototoxicity in skin.
Furanocoumarins bind and destabilize your DNA to increase the rate of sunburn.
Most reputable companies will remove furanocoumarins from their formulations.
Learn more about Citrus Limon Peel OilIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Murad Clarifying Cleanser 31 ingredients
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Murad Clarifying Cleanser 31 ingredients
Pretty good for teen acne and fa prone skin, can be quite drying from the salicylic acid though so use hydrating products
I am disappointed because I had high hopes in this product. I have oily Sensitive skin and I was hoping using this product will help my clear my skin. When I used this, it only clogged my pores and caused my skin to be very dry and cause texture all over my forehead
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel 25 ingredients
Good cleanser, but I don’t recommend using twice a day. I have combination skin and using this twice a day made my skin dry as a bone. I wasn’t using anything else besides moisturizer at the time, so I’m 100% certain it was this product causing it. Cutting back to just once a day seems to have helped but still a little on the dry side.
LOVE!!! basically cleared all of my acne!
