Murad

Skin Perfecting Lotion - Blemish Prone/Oily Skin

Name: Murad - Skin Perfecting Lotion - Blemish Prone/Oily Skin
Brand: Murad

Efficacy 100/100·High irritancy

Efficacy measures how well the formula delivers the claims the brand advertises · 2 of 2 advertised claims delivered

"Murad - Skin Perfecting Lotion - Blemish Prone/Oily Skin" has a good moisturizing formula.

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Product summary

"Murad - Skin Perfecting Lotion - Blemish Prone/Oily Skin" has a good moisturizing formula. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Panthenol, urea, betaine, glycerin and inositol 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). Emollients in this formulation (caprylic/capric triglyceride, chondrus crispus extract, dimethicone, squalane and c12-15 alkyl benzoate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

Ingredient callouts

this moisturizer contains an effective form of retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 1.20% - 1.50%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily. Because of the irritation risk of retinoids, we recommend to have another, retinoid-free moisturizer in your routine to use on the alternative days or when your skin feels dry.

Irritation risk

There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. 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.

Product claims breakdown

Moisturizing

14 ingredients contribute at the levels below

Strong evidence

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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, chondrus crispus extract.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol, 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~0.7–1.1%

PANTHENOLRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.3–0.55%

CHONDRUS CRISPUS EXTRACTRole: Key activeRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency~0.3–0.55%

DIMETHICONERole: Key activeA 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~0.3–0.6%

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~2.5–3.1%

INOSITOLRole: Key active~0.5–0.75%

ALLANTOINRole: Under-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.2–0.4%

BETAINERole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~0.45–0.7%

SODIUM HYALURONATERole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.55%

SODIUM PCARole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.25–0.45%

SQUALANERole: Key activeAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~1.9–2.3%

TOCOPHEROLRole: Under-dosedPure 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~0.3–0.55%

TREHALOSERole: Key activeA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin~0.55–0.8%

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDERole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~1.1–1.3%

Anti-blemish

RETINOL at ~1.2–1.5% + 1 more curated active

Strong evidence

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

RETINOLRole: HeroTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating~1.2–1.5%

ALLANTOINRole: Under-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.2–0.4%

C12-15 alkyl benzoateRole: Key activeEnhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth~4.5–5.5%

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~2.5–3.1%

SqualaneRole: Key activeAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~1.9–2.3%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~1.1–1.3%

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~0.7–1.1%

TrehaloseRole: Key activeA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin~0.55–0.8%

InositolRole: Key active~0.5–0.75%

BetaineRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~0.45–0.7%

Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractRole: Key activeA plant extract that might contain antioxidants~0.4–0.6%

Honey extractRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.55%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.35–0.65%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.55%

PanthenolRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.3–0.55%

Chondrus crispus extractRole: Key activeRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency~0.3–0.55%

DimethiconeRole: Key activeA 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~0.3–0.6%

Sodium pcaRole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.25–0.45%

Anti-aging

RETINOL at ~1.2–1.5% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

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

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.

TOCOPHEROLRole: Under-dosedPure 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~0.3–0.55%

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~2.5–3.1%

SqualaneRole: Key activeAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.~1.9–2.3%

Caprylic/capric triglycerideRole: Key activeA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin~1.1–1.3%

TrehaloseRole: Key activeA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin~0.55–0.8%

InositolRole: Key active~0.5–0.75%

BetaineRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~0.45–0.7%

Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractRole: Key activeA plant extract that might contain antioxidants~0.4–0.6%

Honey extractRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.55%

Cetearyl alcoholRole: Key activeA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~0.35–0.65%

Sodium hyaluronateRole: Key activeOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.3–0.55%

PanthenolRole: Key activeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.3–0.55%

Chondrus crispus extractRole: Key activeRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency~0.3–0.55%

Sodium pcaRole: Key activeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.25–0.45%

Exfoliation

RETINOL at ~1.2–1.5% delivers this without it being on the label

Quiet bonus

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: retinol.

ALLANTOINRole: Under-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.2–0.4%

Irritancy

13 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

RetinolTwo steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritatingHigh~1.2–1.5%est.

Arnica montana flower extractA plant extract that can be irritating. It can have some anti-bacterial properties, but there are no evidence of a beneficial effect for skinHigh~0.4–0.65%est.

Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractA plant extract that might contain antioxidantsHigh~0.4–0.6%est.

Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractA plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.1–0.2%est.

Dicaprylyl maleateUsed to dissolve other ingredients, create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin. Can be an allergenLow~5.8–7.1%est.

Caprylic/capric triglycerideA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerinLow~1.1–1.3%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~0.5–0.7%est.

Honey extractHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skinLow~0.3–0.55%est.

Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesLow~0.4–0.6%est.

Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateA derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very highLow~0.25–0.5%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationLow~0.15–0.3%est.

Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureLow~0.2–0.35%est.

ChlorphenesinA preservativeLow~0.15–0.25%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

Chondrus crispus extractRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistencyHigh~0.3–0.55%est.

Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product textureMed~0.35–0.65%est.

Ceteareth-20Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient propertiesMed~0.4–0.6%est.

~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels

Ingredients

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Skin Perfecting Lotion - Blemish Prone/Oily Skin

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

About the brand

Product claims breakdown

Ingredients

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