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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Tatcha The Water Cream versus Murad Clarifying Water Gel .

Last updated on January 30, 2024. Published on July 27, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens, fragrances 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.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy The Water Cream

Starts at $49.99
Shop

Buy Clarifying Water Gel

Starts at $44.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Tatcha The Water Cream 35 ingredients

Murad Clarifying Water Gel 56 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

Tatcha The Water Cream 35 ingredients

Murad Clarifying Water Gel 56 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

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

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

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

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

Tatcha The Water Cream 35 ingredients

Murad Clarifying Water Gel 56 ingredients

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 8.

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

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
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

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 3.

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

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 20.

6
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.

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 36.

7
What it does: Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 28.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 43.

8
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

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 54.

9
What it does: Perfuming, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

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.

Learn more about Limonene

Tatcha The Water Cream contains this as ingredient number 32.

Murad Clarifying Water Gel contains this as ingredient number 52.

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

Tatcha The Water Cream 35 ingredients

Murad Clarifying Water Gel 56 ingredients

26% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
43% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
21% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Tatcha The Water Cream 35 ingredients

Murad Clarifying Water Gel 56 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Tatcha The Water Cream 35 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 11 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Expensive (2) Works Well (2) Light Scent (1) Hydrating (1) Irritating (1)
peoplemover's avatar

peoplemover

26 days ago · Combination Skin
Review

loooveee the way this moisturizer feels. really light and sinks right into my skin (oily/combo/acne-prone), however I feel like i need to use a lot...

loooveee the way this moisturizer feels. really light and sinks right into my skin (oily/combo/acne-prone), however I feel like i need to use a lot otherwise I'll feel dry throughout the day, and its expensive

mvas_23's avatar

mvas_23

6 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Full moisture with not breaking out

Murad Clarifying Water Gel 56 ingredients

Clarifying Water Gel hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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