AHA/BHA/Retinoid Daily Clarifying Peel

Murad

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Murad AHA/BHA/Retinoid Daily Clarifying Peel is a exfoliating scrubs & peeling gel. Our analysis of its 46 ingredients (27 low-risk) rates it Excellent (86/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone and dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Exfoliating Scrubs & Peeling Gel
Ingredients
46
Low-risk
27
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
United States

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 10/4
Good for dry skin
Betaine Inositol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Butylene Glycol Glycerin Trehalose Yeast Amino Acids Dimethicone Urea Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Caution for dry skin
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract Glycerin Salicylic Acid Sodium Hydroxide
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 2/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract Salicylic Acid
Sensitive Skin 6/16
Good for sensitive skin
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract Glycerin Dimethicone Allantoin BHT Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Caution for sensitive skin
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Butylene Glycol Glycerin Taurine Salicylic Acid Benzoic Acid Potassium Sorbate Phenoxyethanol Linalool Citronellol Limonene Benzyl Benzoate BHT Citral Geraniol Retinyl Propionate

Ingredients list

46 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (9)
All46 Skin Conditioning29 Fragrance17 Masking10 Humectant10 Solvent8 Hair Conditioning6 Skin Protecting6 Perfuming5
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
3
A
Dimethicone
(Antifoaming Agent, Skin Protecting, Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Silicone
Silicone
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
(Astringent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Soothing)
1
A
Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
B
Butyl Avocadate
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
4
B
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
9
Retinyl Propionate
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Allantoin
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
3
Zinc Gluconate
(Cosmetic Biocide, Skin Conditioning, Deodorant)
1
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
(Antimicrobial, Skin Protecting)
1
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
(Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Tonic)
1
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Corallina Officinalis Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
3
A
Urea
(Buffering Agent, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Yeast Amino Acids
(Humectant)
1
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
3
B
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS SEED OIL
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
(Tonic)
1
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
6
A
BHT
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking)
1
B
Betaine
(Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Antistatic Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Inositol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Humectant)
1
Taurine
(Fragrance, Buffering Agent)
1
A
Trehalose
(Flavoring Agent, Humectant, Moisturising)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
4
B
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
3
A
Benzoic Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Preservative, Bulking Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens
5
Linalool
(Fragrance, Deodorant, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
5
Citronellol
(Fragrance, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
7
Geraniol
(Fragrance, Masking, Tonic)
Allergens
Allergens
6
A
Benzyl Benzoate
(Fragrance, Solvent, Antimicrobial, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
7
Citral
(Flavoring Agent, Fragrance, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
3
A
Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Dimethicone
Skin Protecting, Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent, Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant, Skin Protecting
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Butyl Avocadate
Skin Conditioning

Benefits

Good for dry skin
Good for oily/acne-prone skin

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains silicone
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Retinyl Propionate — higher EWG
Geraniol — higher EWG
Citral — higher EWG
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent, Hair conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AstringentHair conditioningSkin conditioningSoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin conditioning, Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningSolvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientMaskingPerfumingSkin conditioningSolvent
Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 SolventViscosity decreasing agentViscosity controlling
Butyl Avocadate
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioning
Zinc Gluconate
Cosmetic biocide, Skin conditioning
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 Cosmetic biocideSkin conditioningDeodorant
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial, Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AntimicrobialSkin protecting
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AstringentSkin conditioningTonic
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Urea
Buffering agent, Humectant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Buffering agentHumectantAntistatic agentSkin conditioning
Yeast Amino Acids
Humectant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Humectant
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioningSkin conditioning emollient
+ 14 more — see the full ingredients list above
Dimethicone
Antifoaming agent, Skin protecting
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A Antifoaming agentSkin protectingEmollientSkin conditioning Silicone
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Glycolic Acid
Exfoliant, Ph adjuster
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantPh adjusterBuffering agent Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Retinyl Propionate
Skin conditioning
Higher-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 9 Skin conditioning
Allantoin
Skin conditioning, Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningSkin protectingSoothing Good for Oily SkinGood for Sensitive Skin
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Emollient, Skin conditioning
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 1–3 CIR B EmollientSkin conditioning Good for Sensitive Skin
BHT
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 CIR A AntioxidantFragranceMasking
Salicylic Acid
Antiacne agent, Antidandruff agent
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B Antiacne agentAntidandruff agentCorn/callus/wart removerDenaturantExfoliantFragranceHair conditioningSkin conditioningKeratolyticMaskingPreservative Good for Oily SkinBad for Sensitive Skin
Benzoic Acid
Fragrance, Ph adjuster
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A FragrancePh adjusterPreservativeBulking agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Limonene
Deodorant, Perfuming
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 DeodorantPerfumingSolvent Allergens
Linalool
Fragrance, Deodorant
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 FragranceDeodorantMasking Allergens
Citronellol
Fragrance, Masking
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 FragranceMasking Allergens
Geraniol
Fragrance, Masking
Higher-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 7 FragranceMaskingTonic Allergens
Benzyl Benzoate
Fragrance, Solvent
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 CIR A FragranceSolventAntimicrobialMasking Allergens
+ 2 more — see the full ingredients list above

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Evening: Use at night — start 2–3× a week and build up as your skin tolerates it.
  • 2 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinyl Propionate)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

Use with caution
BHA (salicylic) (Salicylic Acid)

Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinyl Propionate

BHA (salicylic) 0.5–2%

Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.

Salicylic Acid

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Glycolic Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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