Murad Clarifying Cream Cleanser vs Clinique Acne Solutions™ Cleansing Gel

Murad

Clarifying Cream Cleanser

Clinique

Acne Solutions™ Cleansing Gel

A face cleanser built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

A face cleanser built around Hyaluronic acid, for hydration and pollution defence.

Face cleanser

48 ingredients

20 ingredients

Brand price

USD 20.80 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 29.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Sulfate-free, Pore-clogger-free, Oil-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetyl Alcohol
Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Vitamin E2
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate
Zinc salt (sebum/soothing)1
Zinc salts, used for sebum control and soothing.
Zinc Gluconate

Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Benefits

Hydrating12
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Betaine, Glutamic Acid, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, PCA, Propanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Betaine, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocoglycerides, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Menthol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Zinc Gluconate
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Menthol, Salix Alba Bark Extract

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Sucrose
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Sucrose

Concerns

May Trigger Acne5
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetyl Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis12
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Cocoglycerides, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris5
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetyl Alcohol, Myristic Acid, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
May Worsen Dryness1
Can strip moisture and worsen dryness.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
2-3 / 0
- Fatty acids (stearic, oleic, lauric)
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 2
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Sulfate surfactants (SLS/SLES)
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Chloride
Fragrance
0-1 / —
Lauramidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Sucrose
Humectant
0-1 / —
Gentiana Lutea Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin Protecting
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
- Under-Eye Care

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →