Murad Clarifying Cleanser Review: Can it Treat & Prevent Breakouts?

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Every expert would agree: when you have acne-prone skin, you need a good cleanser. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done – many of the acne cleansers out there remove too much sebum from the skin. This then leaves the skin extremely dry. In order to compensate, the skin produces even more sebum, meaning that breakouts end up increasing in frequency and severity.

If you want to minimize skin breakouts as much as possible, you’ll need an acne face wash that’ll clear out your pores while also soothing, hydrating, and balancing your skin. We’ve been on the search for a good one for a while, which is why the Murad Clarifying Cleanser caught our eye. Could this finally be a cleanser that actually delivers on the promises it makes? Stick with us as we find out!

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Murad Clarifying Cleanser

What is the Murad Clarifying Cleanser?

Developed by Murad Skincare, the Clarifying Cleanser is a gel-like facial cleanser designed to treat acne breakouts. Even better, it’s meant to prevent future breakouts too!

According to Murad, this formula not only cleans the skin, but it also works as an acne treatment, making it a must-have in any anti-acne regimen.

What Are the Active Ingredients in This Dr. Murad Face Wash?

The most noteworthy active ingredient in this formula is salicylic acid – a beta-hydroxy acid that has been proven in countless trials to be able to effectively treat acne when used in cleanser form [1].

It works by gently yet thoroughly exfoliating the skin – this removes excess sebum and other impurities from within the pores. As a result, blockages, and therefore pimples, don’t form. Even better, salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties [2].

So, even if you do develop clogged pores, the ingredient will keep inflammation to a minimum, thereby once again reducing your chances of breaking out.

This Murad cleanser contains two forms of salicylic acid – one that starts working immediately and another that seeps into the skin to work over time, meaning both instant and long-term results.

In addition to salicylic acid, there are a few other ingredients in this cleanser that are worth mentioning:

  • Green tea extract – abundant in antioxidants that protect the skin from photoaging and inflammation [3]
  • Camellia oleifera leaf extract – rich in oleic acid, which deeply hydrates the skin
  • Citric acid – a hydroxy acid that exfoliates clogged pores to prevent breakouts
  • Yeast amino acids – these stimulate collagen production while also acting as antioxidants
  • Lavandula hybrida oil – kills acne-causing bacteria on the skin [4]
  • Citrus nobilis (mandarin orange) peel oil & citrus limon (lemon) peel oil – both unclog pores while brightening the skin
  • Apricot kernel oil – reduces wrinkles, improves skin tone, and nourishes the skin

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What Results Can You Expect to See After Using This Salicylic Acid Cleanser Regularly?

Woman applying cream on face

As mentioned, this formula contains ingredients that work instantly, so you should notice your skin looking brighter and slightly clearer after just one use. This will continue to improve – you’ll notice significantly less excess oil on your skin after around three days.

Wait a couple of weeks and you’ll see a big reduction in your acne lesions. Once those have cleared, continue using this cleanser to maintain your newfound pimple-free complexion!

Ratings and Reviews: Murad Clarifying Cleanser Reviews + Before and After Effects of the Product

This product was rated 5/5 on just about every website that we looked at. People have been posting their before & after photos all over social media, raving about how this formula treats cystic acne, reduces wrinkles, and leaves users with healthier-looking skin. Skin feels softer, smoother, and fresher after each use, with the long-term results being astounding.

Even better, just about every skin type other than dry (meaning oily, sensitive, and combination skin) can use this formula without any problems.

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How to Use This Complex Clarifying Cleanser + Facial Products to Combine it With

This cleanser can be used just like any other face wash. Apply a small amount to your dampened face and massage it in. Then, rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Woman in bath robe cleaning face

You should never leave your skin bare after cleansing, so follow up with the rest of your skincare routine. We would recommend an anti-acne serum and a lightweight cream.

Great – I’m in! Where Can I Get This Murad Soap?

Several retailers stock this cleanser, but we’ve also seen people mention the fakes that they’ve received when ordering online. To avoid this, order directly from the Murad website.

This will also give you access to any deals offered by the brand, along with their full range of product sizes (200ml to 400ml).

FAQ

Q: What is the best Murad cleanser?

The Clarifying Cleanser is the best cleanser from Murad.

Q: What does a clarifying cleanser do?

A clarifying cleanser does more than just cleanse – it purifies the pores while preventing future breakouts.

Q: Murad Clarifying Cleanser vs Time Release Acne Cleanser – which is better?

The two products are the same. The Time Release Acne Cleanser was rebranded and is now the Clarifying Cleanser.

Q: Can this Murad clearing solution be used with the Murad Complete Acne Control Kit for Sensitive Skin?

Yes! You’ll notice results even faster when you combine the two.

Q: Does Murad make you break out? Is oil an ingredient in this cleansing gel?

No, Murad won’t make you break out. In fact, it’ll do the opposite and fight those pimples that you’ve not been able to get rid of. It does contain a couple of plant oils, but these are all non-comedogenic.

Q: Does Murad really work for acne?

Yes, Murad is one of the best brands available for treating acne.

Q: How long does it take to see results from Murad?

You’ll start to see results after about three days, with these improving significantly by the 2-week mark.

Murad Clarifying Cleanser Review Conclusion: Should You Buy it?

The first step to successfully treating acne lies in finding a good cleanser that’ll target breakouts in a few different ways, while also preventing future breakouts. This Murad Cleanser certainly fits the bill. In fact, stick with it and you may no longer need any other acne treatments – this one has the potential to keep your breakouts at bay for good.

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References

[1] https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(12)01331-X/fulltext
[2] https://doi.org/10.1515/afmnai-2015-0026
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390139/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6263286/

Avatar for Megan Foley

Megan has been a freelance writer and editor since 2016. In that time, she’s penned a diverse collection of articles for online publication, with a focus on skincare and beauty. From in-depth product reviews to concise marketing content, Megan is passionate about developing content that informs, entertains, and inspires.