Murad

Intensive-C Radiance Peel

Name: Murad - Intensive-C Radiance Peel
Brand: Murad

Efficacy 100/100·High irritancy · In 1 routines

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 4 of 4 advertised claims delivered

Based on the ingredients included, "Murad - Intensive-C Radiance Peel" works well for moisturizing the skin.

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Product summary

Based on the ingredients included, "Murad - Intensive-C Radiance Peel" 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. Humectants in this product (urea, betaine, glycerin, inositol and sodium hyaluronate) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Cetearyl alcohol, ethylhexyl palmitate, caprylyl glycol and pentylene glycol 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.

Ingredient callouts

This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.45% - 0.70%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.

Irritation 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 from 47.20$ up to 59.00$ in the United States, for 94.00A$ in Australia and for 55.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

10 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea

UREARole: Key activeNaturally 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~1–1.2%

INOSITOLRole: Key active~0.7–1.05%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.8%

SYNTHETIC BEESWAXRole: Key activeHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~4.5–5.4%

TREHALOSERole: Key activeA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin~0.75–1.1%

ZINC GLUCONATERole: Under-dosedTypically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skin~0.45–0.7%

BETAINERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~0.65–0.95%

CHITOSANRole: Key activeInhibits acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. Can help to reduce inflammation caused by bacteria. Helps neutralize free radicals in skin. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.5–0.75%

DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATERole: Under-dosedA salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening~0.45–0.7%

GLYCERINRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.4–4.1%

Evens skin tone

5 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: azelaic acid, glycolic acid

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

AZELAIC ACIDRole: HeroIs produced by a yeast that lives on normal human skin. It is used in medicine as a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. It has a mild exfoliating effect. It can also help reduce hyperpigmentation, helps calm down inflammation and can help neutralize free radicals~0.5–0.7%

ASCORBIC ACIDRole: Under-dosedThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~0.45–0.7%

GLYCOLIC ACIDRole: Key activeAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~2.7–3.3%

Exfoliation

GLYCOLIC ACID at ~2.7–3.3% + 3 more curated actives

Strong evidence

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: glycolic acid.

Anti-aging

GLYCOLIC ACID at ~2.7–3.3% + 3 more curated actives

Strong evidence

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATERole: Key activeA stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C~1.2–1.5%

Anti-oxidation

AZELAIC ACID at ~0.5–0.7% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

This product contains antioxidants (azelaic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

The following ingredients - chitosan, sodium ascorbyl phosphate also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

Anti-blemish

Brand does not advertise this — the formula does

Quiet bonus

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

In addition, this product contains chitosan. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate

KAOLINRole: Key activeA type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color~4.2–5.2%

Irritancy

27 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 27 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Glycolic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acidHigh~2.7–3.3%est.

Hydrolyzed opuntia ficus-indica flower extractA plant extract. Can help attract water the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant propertiesHigh~0.6–0.9%est.

Hydrolyzed myrtus communis leaf extract—High~0.5–0.75%est.

Fomes officinalis extractA fungus extract that can help to create a temporary tightening feeling on the skinHigh~0.5–0.7%est.

Ascorbic acidThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of agingHigh~0.45–0.7%est.

Ethyl menthane carboxamide—High~0.45–0.7%est.

Menthyl lactateUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.45–0.7%est.

LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.15–0.3%est.

Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAn essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%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~0.15–0.3%est.

Ocimum basilicum oilUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.15–0.25%est.

Citrus grandis peel oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skinHigh~0.1–0.15%est.

Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilHelps oil and water mix togetherLow~2.2–2.7%est.

Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureLow~1.7–2%est.

Sodium ascorbyl phosphateA stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin CLow~1.2–1.5%est.

TaurineCould be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, evening out the skin tone and neutralizing free radicals, but more research is needed to confirm its effectivenessLow~0.65–1%est.

Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Low~0.65–0.95%est.

ChitosanInhibits acne-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin. Can help to reduce inflammation caused by bacteria. Helps neutralize free radicals in skin. Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skinLow~0.5–0.75%est.

Propyl gallateHelps preserve product formulations and can mask the smell of other ingredients in a productLow~0.5–0.7%est.

Zinc gluconateTypically used to stabilize the product formulations. It is a salt of a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and in larger concentrations, can help shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals, but solid research is missing. Due to the zinc content, might help calm down inflammation in skinLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Lauryl laurateHelps soften the upper layer of the skinLow~0.45–0.7%est.

Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerA gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finishLow~0.3–0.6%est.

Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesLow~0.45–0.65%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.3–0.5%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeLow~0.25–0.45%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.25–0.5%est.

ChlorphenesinA preservativeLow~0.15–0.3%est.

Comedogenic

3 ingredients can clog pores in acne-prone skin

High risk

These ingredients have a comedogenic rating ≥ 2. In leave-on products at higher concentrations they can clog pores for acne-prone skin types.

IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount

Ethylhexyl palmitateAn emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product textureHigh~0.65–0.95%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~1.5–1.8%est.