Murad Acne Body Wash Versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray

Murad Acne Body Wash Versus Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Salicylic Acid 1%

Water

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

Jojoba Esters

Glycerin

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Acrylates Copolymer

PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate

Urea

Yeast Amino Acids

Trehalose

Inositol

Taurine

Betaine

Retinyl Palmitate

Phoenix Dactylifera Seed

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Butylene Glycol

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Tocopheryl Acetate

Zinc Gluconate

Ascorbic Acid

Chitosan

Propyl Gallate

Glycolic Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide

Menthol

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate

Sodium Benzoate

Sodium Bisulfite

Disodium EDTA

Propylene Carbonate

Benzoic Acid

Dehydroacetic Acid

Propanediol

Pvp

Benzyl Salicylate

Hexyl Cinnamal

Butylphenyl Methylpropional

Parfum

CI 42090

CI 60730

Salicylic Acid 1%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Retinyl Palmitate, Phoenix Dactylifera Seed, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Gluconate, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Propyl Gallate, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrogen Peroxide, Menthol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Propanediol, Pvp, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Parfum, CI 42090, CI 60730

Dipropylene Glycol

Polysorbate 20

Pentylene Glycol

Salicylic Acid

Panthenol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract

Lauric Acid

Allantoin

PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer

Methyl Gluceth-20

Glycereth-26

Sodium Metabisulfite

Potassium Sorbate

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Berberis Vulgaris Root Extract, Lauric Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.

Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.

This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:

On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.

One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).

Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.

You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.

Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.

Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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