Murad Clarifying Cleanser

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

Efficacy91/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Exfoliation
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Two types of salicylic acid treat immediately and over time”
Source: Murad

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)1.51%
Anti-blemish
Salicylic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Cleanses, clears pores and treats acne—even after rinsing—leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean”
Source: Murad

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)1.51%
Cleansing
Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate + 5 more
Can be harsh
What the product description says
“Clarifying Cleanser”
Source: Murad

This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.

The following cleansing agents are typically mild, but still can cause an irritation or allergy for some people cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl dimethylamine, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate.

Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.

Cocamidopropyl betaineEffect: HighHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen~11–13%
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin~5.9–7.2%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~1.9–2.3%
Peg-150 distearateEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together~0.7–1.05%
Glyceryl stearateEffect: HighAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.55–0.8%
Cocamidopropyl dimethylamineEffect: HighHelps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating~0.5–0.75%
Polysorbate 80Effect: HighHelps water and oil mix together~0.45–0.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
9 strong irritants: Menthol, Methylisothiazolinone + 7 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 21 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High1.51%
Cocamidopropyl betaineHelps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergenHigh~11–13%est.
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateHelps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skinHigh~5.9–7.2%est.
Menthol—High~0.75–1.15%est.
Cocamidopropyl dimethylamineHelps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–0.75%est.
MethylisothiazolinoneA preservative. Is a frequent allergenHigh~0.00075–0.0015%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.25–0.45%est.
Citrus reticulata leaf oil—High~0.25–0.45%est.
Cymbopogon nardus oil—High~0.25–0.45%est.
Citrus aurantifolia oil—High~0.2–0.4%est.
Lavandula hybrida oilPlant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergenHigh~0.2–0.35%est.
Citrus nobilis peel oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skinHigh~0.1–0.25%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Ppg-26-buteth-26Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~2.4–2.9%est.
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.9–2.3%est.
Peg-150 distearateHelps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.7–1.05%est.
Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistencyMedium~0.6–0.9%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.35–0.65%est.
Tetrasodium edtaHelps to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.3–0.6%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.16–0.32%est.
Prunus armeniaca kernel oilAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~0.15–0.25%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Zea mays starchUsed to thicken the product's consistency3/5~0.6–0.9%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Salicylic acid1.51%
Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-inflammatoryExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cocamidopropyl betaine~11–13%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen

More about Cocamidopropyl betaine
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~5.9–7.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin

More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
Methyl gluceth-20~3.1–3.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it

More about Methyl gluceth-20
Ppg-26-buteth-26~2.4–2.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Ppg-26-buteth-26
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~1.9–2.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil
Butylene glycol~1.7–2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Butylene glycol
Cimicifuga racemosa root extract~1.4–1.7%
Formula
Camellia oleifera leaf extract~1.3–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics

More about Camellia oleifera leaf extract
Silver citrate~1.1–1.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Silver citrate
Menthol~0.75–1.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Peg-150 distearate~0.7–1.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Peg-150 distearate
Zea mays starch~0.6–0.9%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Mattifying

Used to thicken the product's consistency

More about Zea mays starch
Hydrolyzed corn starch~0.55–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps improve the product texture

More about Hydrolyzed corn starch
Hydrolyzed corn starch octenylsuccinate~0.7–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a uniform product consistency

More about Hydrolyzed corn starch octenylsuccinate
Glyceryl stearate~0.55–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine~0.5–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating

More about Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine
Polysorbate 80~0.45–0.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Polysorbate 80
Citric acid~0.35–0.65%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Tetrasodium edta~0.3–0.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to stabilize the product formulation

More about Tetrasodium edta
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Methylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Is a frequent allergen

More about Methylisothiazolinone
Limonene~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Citrus reticulata leaf oil~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Cymbopogon nardus oil~0.25–0.45%
Irritant · high
Citrus medica peel oil~0.15–0.25%
Formula
Citrus aurantifolia oil~0.2–0.4%
Irritant · high
Lavandula hybrida oil~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen

More about Lavandula hybrida oil
Citrus nobilis peel oil~0.1–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin

More about Citrus nobilis peel oil
Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~0.15–0.25%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oil
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Salicylic acid, Water, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Methyl gluceth-20, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Butylene glycol, Cimicifuga racemosa root extract, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Silver citrate, Menthol, Peg-150 distearate, Zea mays starch, Hydrolyzed corn starch, Hydrolyzed corn starch octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl stearate, Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine, Polysorbate 80, Citric acid, Tetrasodium edta, Chlorphenesin, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene, Citrus reticulata leaf oil, Cymbopogon nardus oil, Citrus medica peel oil, Citrus aurantifolia oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Citrus nobilis peel oil, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Parfum

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Amazon USPrice as of 11/5 15:02 GMT
$17.00
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Murad
$31.00
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Sephora
$31.00
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
MuradClarifying CleanserYOUR PRODUCTNeutrogenaOil-Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Facial CleanserBubble SkincareAll ClearPrequelTRAVEL GLEANSER + SA
Match—90%89%87%
Price$31.00—$14.97−$16.03$6.00−$25.00
Shared key ingredients—3 of 103 of 104 of 10
Key difference—Peg-120 Methyl Glucose DioleateNiacinamideZinc Pca
Irritancy High Medium Low Low
Drying alcohol— Contains drying alcohol ——
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