Murad Clarifying Cleanser Versus Murad Essential-C Cleanser
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 7 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
Murad Essential-C Cleanser 35 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
Murad Essential-C Cleanser 35 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
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 ConditioningCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Chitosan
Rice Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningZinc Aspartate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lactose
HumectantCellulose
AbsorbentHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Orange Roughy Oil
Skin Conditioning
Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
CI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Phospholipids, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Rice Amino Acids, Zinc Aspartate, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Lactose, Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene, Linalool, Orange Roughy Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil, Parfum, CI 77492
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:
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 GlycolChlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinLimonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term '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.
Learn more about LimoneneOrange Roughy Oil is an oil.
Parfum 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 Essential-C Cleanser 35 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
Murad Essential-C Cleanser 35 ingredients
This product thoroughly cleansed my skin, but it left me feeling very dry. It was to the point that I had to immediately put on the rest of my skincare routine right after use or else I’d feel like a vacuum-sealed raisin.
