Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ versus Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ .

Published on November 10, 2020

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free sunscreens. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid, SPF, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

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 or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Sunscreen American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

Price

Shop

Buy Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++

Starts at $30.98
Shop

Buy City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++

Starts at $69.00

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
spf rating
45
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
50

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Loading ingredients...

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 Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 5.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does:
Community Rating: Mixed

We don't have a description for Tapioca Starch.

Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 6.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 28.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene 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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 10.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 31.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. It is created from palmitic acid and retinol.

This ingredient has antioxidant and exfoliating properties. Like other types of retinols, retinyl palmitate increases cell turnover. Removing dead skin cells and encouraging the growth of new ones improves skin tone and unclogs pores. This in turn promotes brighter looking skin and even skin texture.

As an antioxidant, retinyl palmitate helps neutralize free-radical molecules. These molecules have the potential to damage skin cells. Thus, antioxidants may help with anti-aging.

Retinyl palmitate can be good for be good for oily skin by helping to unclog pores. However, it may not be good for dry skin and fungal acne.

After using this product, you should follow up with sunscreen.

This ingredient is often added to low-fat milk to increase the levels of Vitamin A.

Learn more about Retinyl Palmitate

Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 16.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 15.

5
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 17.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 9.

6
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 Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 22.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
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 Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 24.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 19.

8
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 25.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 20.

9
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 Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 26.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 21.

10
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 Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 27.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 22.

11
What it does: Buffering

We don't have a description for Taurine.

Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 28.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 23.

12
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 Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 29.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 24.

13
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 38.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 44.

14
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 Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 39.

Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++ contains this as ingredient number 43.

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

26% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 20 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA++++.

See 20 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 43 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++.

See 43 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...