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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Olehenriksen Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub versus Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser .

Published on December 09, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, 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 silicones

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

Exfoliator Danish Brand Denmark
Face Cleanser American Brand United States

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Face Cleanser

Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).

Price

Shop

Buy Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub

Starts at $35.00
Shop

Buy AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Starts at $31.89

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 (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators

Benefits

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

Concerns

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

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
BHA
Vitamin C

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)
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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: 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.

Olehenriksen Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub contains this as ingredient number 6.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 7.

2
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

Olehenriksen Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub contains this as ingredient number 8.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
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.

Olehenriksen Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub contains this as ingredient number 11.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 19.

4
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Olehenriksen Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub contains this as ingredient number 12.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Acid

Olehenriksen Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub contains this as ingredient number 13.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 12.

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

32% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet
33% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
52% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Olehenriksen Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub 28 ingredients

Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser 21 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating

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