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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Murad Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ versus Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ .

Published on September 19, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 7 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, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens, fragrances, oils and silicones

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

Day Moisturizer American Brand United States
Sunscreen American Brand United States

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

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 Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++

Starts at $68.00
Shop

Buy Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++

Starts at $55.99

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
spf rating
30
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
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (5)
Retinoid
Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E (2)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (6)
Skin Texture (4)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (5)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (4)
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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

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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: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.

Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.

Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.

However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.

Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!

The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.

Learn more about Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Murad Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Homosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.

Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.

(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)

Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.

Learn more about Homosalate

Murad Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 2.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Disliked

Ethylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.

Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.

The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.

According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.

Learn more about Ethylhexyl Salicylate

Murad Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 4.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
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 Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 7.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 33.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Retinyl palmitate is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the superstar class of anti-aging ingredients that include tretinoin and retinol.

This particular ingredient has had a bumpy year with its rise and fall in popularity.

First, Retinyl palmitate is created from palmitic acid and retinol. It is a retinol ester and considered one of the weaker forms of retinoid.

This is because all retinoids have to be converted to Tretinoin, AKA retinoic acid. Retinyl Palmitate is pretty far down the line and has to go through multiple conversions before its effects are seen.

Due to this long and ineffective conversion line, the benefits of Retinyl Palmitate are debated.

Studies show Retinyl Palmitate to help:

Dermatologists say this ingredient is ineffective because it isn't used in high enough concentrations in cosmetics.

This ingredient used to be found in sunscreens to boost the efficacy of sunscreen filters.

The downfall of Retinyl Palmitate was due to released reports about the ingredient being correlated to sun damage and skin tumors.

While there is a study showing this ingredient to cause DNA damage when exposed to UV-A, there is no concrete proof of it being linked to skin cancer. It is safe to use when used correctly.

All retinoids increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun in the first few months of usage. Be especially careful with reapplying sunscreen when using any form of retinoid.

Currently, this ingredient is still allowed in cosmetics all over the world. In Canada, cosmetics must have a warning label stating the product to contain Retinyl Palmitate

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

Learn more about Retinyl Palmitate

Murad Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 23.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 29.

6
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 Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 24.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 28.

7
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 Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 56.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++ contains this as ingredient number 36.

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

33% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
46% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
10% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
36% have no rating yet

Usage

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

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 12 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Murad Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++.

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