Murad Essential-C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream
Works for
MoisturizingUrea, Glycerin + 22 moreWorks well
“Formulated with a botanical blend of sunflower, barley and cucumber extracts, this night cream works to nourish the skin’s barrier, which helps to reverse dehydration.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
betaine, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate ~0.25–0.45%, below the ~4% it needsUnder-dosed
“Vitamin C moisturiser is supercharged with antioxidants to help neutralise pollutants, brighten and smooth while strengthening skin’s barrier overnight.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Zingiber officinale root extract, Benzyl salicylate + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.7–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinDicaprylyl carbonate~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateIsodecyl neopentanoate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. It also forms a protective on its surface to reduce water loss.
More about Isodecyl neopentanoateJojoba esters~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersGlyceryl stearate citrate~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateDimethicone~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeSynthetic beeswax~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Synthetic beeswaxHydrogenated palm kernel glycerides~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm kernel glyceridesZingiber officinale root extract~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractTocopherol~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolUrea~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaYeast amino acids~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractHelianthus annuus seed extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersAminomethyl propanol~0.4–0.6%
Allantoin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinBisabolol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololHordeum vulgare extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Avoid if you are sensitive to gluten
More about Hordeum vulgare extractBrassica campestris sterols~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Brassica campestris sterolsMarrubium vulgare extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Betaine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineInositol~0.25–0.45%
Ectoin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinTaurine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Could be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, evening out the skin tone and neutralizing free radicals, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness
More about Taurine4-t-butylcyclohexanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Cetylhydroxyproline palmitamideStearic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPentylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolHexyldecanol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about HexyldecanolPropylene glycol dicaprate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Propylene glycol dicaprateAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerDisodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.45%
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateHydrogenated palm glycerides~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesHydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help to reduce inflammation in skin, but solid research is lacking
More about Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acidTrehalose~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateCitric acid~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBenzyl salicylate~0.15–0.25%
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.15%
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Isodecyl neopentanoate, Jojoba esters, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Dimethicone, Synthetic beeswax, Hydrogenated palm kernel glycerides, Zingiber officinale root extract, Tocopherol, Urea, Yeast amino acids, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Helianthus annuus seed extract, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Aminomethyl propanol, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Hordeum vulgare extract, Brassica campestris sterols, Marrubium vulgare extract, Betaine, Inositol, Ectoin, Taurine, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, Cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide, Stearic acid, Pentylene glycol, Hexyldecanol, Propylene glycol dicaprate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid, Trehalose, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Citric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum
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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.
| MuradEssential-C Overnight Barrier Repair CreamYOUR PRODUCT | GUERLAINOrchide Impriale - The Light Cream | Elizabeth GrantCaviar Cellular Recharge Super Night Cream | O CosmedicsComfort Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 58% | 58% |
| Price | — | — | — | $83.46 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 14 | 6 of 14 | 5 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Gluconolactone | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Lumene Nordic Hydra [LÄHDE] Intense Hydration MoisturizerBiopelle Tensage Soothing Cream Moisturizer
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Murad - Essential-C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream" works well for moisturizing the skin. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Urea, betaine, glycerin, inositol and trehalose in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Cetylhydroxyproline palmitamide, jojoba esters, dimethicone, brassica campestris sterols and hexyldecanol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
This product contains ingredients that could be beneficial, but their concentrations are too low in this formulation: tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, stearic acid, allantoin and vitamin eIrritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Murad" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 83.00$ in the United States and from 83.00£ up to 150.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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