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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence versus Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum .

Published on November 27, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

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 parabens

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens and fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Essence American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

Starts at $63.49
Shop

Buy Revitalixir Recovery Serum

Starts at $67.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (5)
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Water • Cyclopentasiloxane • Glycerin • Propanediol • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Glycolic Acid • Peg/Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone • Urea • Yeast Amino Acids • Trehalose • Inositol • Taurine • Betaine • Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract • Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract • Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract • Sodium PCA • Sodium Lactate • Yeast Extract • Zinc Gluconate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Butylene Glycol • Ascorbic Acid • Chitosan • Propyl Gallate • Disodium EDTA • Cetyl Alcohol • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Sodium Hydroxide • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Chlorphenesin • Benzyl Benzoate • Hexyl Cinnamal • Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde • Limonene • Linalool • Parfum

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 1.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 3.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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 Propanediol

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 4.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Urea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.

As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.

Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.

In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.

Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.

Learn more about Urea

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 8.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

5
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Disliked

We don't have a description for Yeast Amino Acids.

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 9.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

6
What it does: Humectant, Moisturising
Community Rating: Loved

Trehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.

As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.

In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.

Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.

Learn more about Trehalose

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 10.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

7
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Liked

Inositol is a sugar alcohol naturally found in the human body. Our bodies use this ingredient in the process of growing new cells.

Studies show inositol to be a key component for keratinocyte growth.

Keratinocytes make up the majority of the outermost layer of skin. These cells protect our skin from UV exposure, infection, and help keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient is also considered a humectant. Humectants help hydrate the skin by drawing moisture to it.

Learn more about Inositol

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 11.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

8
What it does: Buffering

We don't have a description for Taurine.

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 12.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

9
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Betaine 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.

Betaine is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies show betaine may help with uneven skin tones.

Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The form found within cosmetic products can be either plant-dervied or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 13.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.

10
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising
Community Rating: Mixed

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Hydroxyethylcellulose helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.

This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.

Learn more about Hydroxyethylcellulose

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 28.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

11
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 29.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.

12
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 31.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 39.

13
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 32.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

14
What it does: Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Linalool has the same effect as Limonene when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

Linalool has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Learn more about Linalool

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 38.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 45.

15
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, 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.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. 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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

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 Parfum

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence contains this as ingredient number 39.

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum contains this as ingredient number 44.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

41% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet
35% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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