Paula's Choice Acne Body Spray vs Murad Clarifying Body Spray

Paula's Choice

Murad

An acne treatment built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

An acne treatment built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Acne treatment

21 ingredients

19 ingredients

Brand price

USD 30.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 52.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Menthol, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Menthol, Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Lauric Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Lauric Acid, Polysorbate 20
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Lauric Acid

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
May Worsen Irritation5
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Alcohol, Citral, Fragrance, Geraniol, Menthol
May Worsen Eczema5
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Alcohol, Citral, Fragrance, Geraniol, Menthol
May Worsen Rosacea5
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Alcohol, Citral, Fragrance, Geraniol, Menthol

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
Perfuming
0-1 / —
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
- Brightening
- Reduces Irritation
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Emollient
- Brightening
- Redness Reducing
- Reduces Irritation

Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Alcohol
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Niacinamide
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Allantoin (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →
Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →
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 →