Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel Versus FaceTheory Supergel Moisturiser M3 Pro
Updated on September 09, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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, oils, parabens or 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 Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel 56 ingredients
FaceTheory Supergel Moisturiser M3 Pro 19 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel 56 ingredients
FaceTheory Supergel Moisturiser M3 Pro 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventPolymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tapioca Starch
Diisopropyl Sebacate
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantInositol
HumectantTaurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingBisabolol
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Polysilicone-11
Polydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexyl Hydroxystearate
Emollient
Pullulan
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAmylopectin
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Disodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSerine
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingGlyceryl Polyacrylate
Algin
Masking
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Limonene
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
CI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propanediol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane/Silica Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Tapioca Starch, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Salicylic Acid, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Polyisobutene, Polysilicone-11, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Pullulan, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Serine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Limon Peel
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Betaine
Humectant
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Epilobium Fleischeri Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sargassum Muticum Extract
Skin ProtectingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sclerotium Gum, Citrus Limon Peel, Niacinamide, Betaine, Sodium Levulinate, Saccharide Isomerate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Epilobium Fleischeri Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sargassum Muticum Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
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 WaterGlycerin 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.Â
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 PropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidBetaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.
In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.
As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.
Learn more about Sclerotium GumNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel 56 ingredients
FaceTheory Supergel Moisturiser M3 Pro 19 ingredients
