The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Murad Clarifying Cleanser

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Versus Murad Clarifying Cleanser

This oil-control serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.

This salicylic acid gel cleanser is formulated around Salicylic Acid to clear breakouts and unclog pores.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Niacinamide 10%

Pentylene Glycol

Zinc PCA 1%

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum

Xanthan Gum

Isoceteth-20

Ethoxydiglycol

Phenoxyethanol

Chlorphenesin

Water, Niacinamide 10%, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA 1%, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Salicylic Acid 1.5%

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Citric Acid

Urea

Yeast Amino Acids

Trehalose

Inositol

Taurine

Betaine

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Menthol

Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate

Glycerin

PPG-26-Buteth-26

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

PEG-150 Distearate

Acrylates Copolymer

Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Glyceryl Stearate

Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

Sodium Hydroxide

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Benzoic Acid

Limonene

Parfum

Salicylic Acid 1.5%, Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Citric Acid, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Menthol, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-150 Distearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Parfum

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

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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