Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream Versus FaceTheory Clarifying Cleanser C2
Updated on August 07, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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Ingredient Info
Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream 39 ingredients
FaceTheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 18 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream 39 ingredients
FaceTheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 18 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Cocoyl Isethionate
CleansingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingLactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Corn Starch
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingUrea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSerenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-8
HumectantBenzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Parfum
Masking
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Sodium Hydroxide, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis Seed Extract, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Benzophenone-4, Butylene Glycol, PEG-8, Benzalkonium Chloride, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid 4%
Buffering
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
EmulsifyingPrunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Sodium Glycolate
BufferingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid 1%
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Salicylate
Preservative
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitrus Nobilis Peel Oil 0.97%
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid 4%, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Salicylic Acid 2%, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Sodium Glycolate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Lactic Acid 1%, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Salicylate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil 0.97%
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholCocamidopropyl Dimethylamine comes from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is an emulsifier, meaning it helps stabilize and mix ingredients.
This ingredient can be irritating in higher amounts and is related to Cocamidopropyl Betaine.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidThis ingredient is the oil from the apricot.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
This ngredient also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream 39 ingredients
FaceTheory Clarifying Cleanser C2 18 ingredients
