
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
“This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer helps reduce shine and refine the appearance of pores for smoother skin texture without causing blemishes.”
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
“Blemish Prone/Oily Skin”
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.
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.
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.
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
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.
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) 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 - epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Used to dissolve other ingredients, create a nice product texture and soften the upper layer of the skin. Can be an allergen
More about Dicaprylyl maleateEnhances 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
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateUsed 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 glycolOne 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 GlycerinAn 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.
More about SqualaneHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTwo 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
More about RetinolA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideNaturally 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 UreaA sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseCould 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 TaurineHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineA plant extract that can be irritating. It can have some anti-bacterial properties, but there are no evidence of a beneficial effect for skin
More about Arnica montana flower extractA plant extract that might contain antioxidants
More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Honey extractA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholHelps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolUsed mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPure 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 TocopherolA 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 high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractA 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 DimethiconeNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinUsed to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolA plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractWater, Dicaprylyl maleate, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Sorbitan stearate, Squalane, Stearic acid, Retinol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Urea, Yeast amino acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Arnica montana flower extract, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Hydrolyzed soy flour, Spiraea ulmaria extract, Honey extract, Cetearyl alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Talc, Glycolipids, Sodium hyaluronate, Panthenol, Lecithin, Avena sativa kernel protein, Tocopherol, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Chondrus crispus extract, Dimethicone, Sodium pca, Allantoin, Sclerotium gum, Carbomer, Disodium edta, Aminomethyl propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| MuradSkin Perfecting Lotion - Blemish Prone/Oily SkinYOUR PRODUCT | AHCHydrating Essential Real Eye Cream for Face | MD Complete by Dr. Brian ZelicksonCitrus-C Refresh Retinol + Vitamin C Multitasking Treatment | UltraLuxe9 OC Age Control Complex Oil Control | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 79% | 77% |
| Price | $42.00 | $21.14−$20.86 | $24.99−$17.01 | $122.00+$80.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 16 | 10 of 16 | 8 of 16 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Niacinamide | Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
"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.
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.
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Murad" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 26 studies and safety reviews.
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