Murad Clarifying Cleanser Versus Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser
Updated on November 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free face cleansers. They have a total of 16 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 or silicones
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
Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser 61 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Murad Clarifying Cleanser 31 ingredients
Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser 61 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPPG-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
Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PPG-15 Stearyl Ether
EmollientSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Chitosan
Silver Citrate
AntimicrobialSodium PCA
HumectantBetaine
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingProline
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingThreonine
Arginine
Masking
Lysine
Skin ConditioningGlutamic Acid
HumectantZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion StabilisingCimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentHydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantHydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Menthol
Masking
Glycol Distearate
Emollient
Steareth-4
EmulsifyingPEG-150 Distearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Tea-Sulfate
Buffering
Soy Protein Phthalate
EmollientGlutaral
Preservative
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Formaldehyde
Benzophenone-3
UV Absorber
Petrolatum
Emollient
Salicylic Acid 0.5%, Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Retinol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Silver Citrate, Sodium PCA, Betaine, Sorbitol, Glycine, Alanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Arginine, Lysine, Glutamic Acid, Zinc Gluconate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Beta-Sitosterol, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Zea Mays Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propyl Gallate, Polysorbate 80, Menthol, Glycol Distearate, Steareth-4, PEG-150 Distearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Tea-Sulfate, Soy Protein Phthalate, Glutaral, Paraffinum Liquidum, Formaldehyde, Benzophenone-3, Petrolatum
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 BetaineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract is from a flowering plant native to Eastern US and Canada.
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Cimicifuga Racemosa Root has been used in traditional indigenous medicine.
Other colloquial names for this plant include black bugbane, black snakeroot, rattle-top, or fairy candle
Learn more about Cimicifuga Racemosa Root ExtractWe don't have a description for Silver Citrate yet.
Menthol is a compound found in mint plants, such as peppermint. In its pure form, it is a clear crystalline substance.
Menthol is known for its cooling sensation; however, the cooling is actually from your skin being sensitized. Menthol can worsen rosacea. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.
Menthol also has antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about MentholPeg-150 Distearate is an emulsifier and thickening agent. It is created from stearic acid.
As an emulsifier, peg-150 distearate helps other ingredients dissolve. This helps prevent ingredient separation.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about PEG-150 DistearateZea Mays Starch is starch made from corn. You might know this as cornstarch . It is used to thicken a product. It can replace talc as an absorbent.
The pH of cornstarch is 5.92.
Cornstarch is a common food ingredient used to thicken soups or to make corn syrup.
Learn more about Zea Mays StarchWe don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Starch yet.
We don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate yet.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine comes from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is an emulsifier, meaning it helps stabilize and mix ingredients.
This ingredient can be irritating in higher amounts and is related to Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.
It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.
Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 80Citric 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 AcidChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Murad Clarifying Cleanser 31 ingredients
Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser 61 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
