Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser for dry sensitive skin
Glycolic Acid
Lactic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Jojoba Esters
Sodium Ascorbyl PhosphateAverage
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your dry and flaky skin due to the presence of glycolic acid and lactic acid, which provide general cleansing benefits. The formula lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients to fully address your dryness, though.
- The combination of these acids aids in smoothing texture and offers moderate suitability for dry skin.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry and sensitive skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with dryness. Start ⏳3 times a week only if your sensitive skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but always before your favorite moisturizer .
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and avoid any rubbing. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before layering.
- Since your skin is reactive and sensitive, apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for better tolerance.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly effective at smoothing skin texture and brightening the complexion, with many users appreciating its ability to clear congestion and provide gentle exfoliation. Some users with sensitive skin have noted that it can be drying or harsh if used too frequently, and a few find the price point to be high.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “leaves my skin smooth”
- “felt so soft”
- “polished feel”
Brighter complexion Often Mentioned
- “skin looks glowing”
- “brighter appearance”
- “removes dullness”
Clears acne/congestion Sometimes Noted
- “reduced my breakouts”
- “blackheads diminished”
- “pores look smaller”
Gentle physical exfoliation Sometimes Noted
- “beads are gentle”
- “not scratchy”
- “dissolves nicely”
Drying or stripping Sometimes Noted
- “face felt tight”
- “skin felt dry”
- “stripped moisture”
Too harsh/irritating Sometimes Noted
- “burnt my face”
- “caused redness”
- “not for sensitive skin”
Efficient product usage Rarely Noted
- “little goes a long way”
- “lasts a long time”
- “good lather”
Expensive price point Rarely Noted
- “pricey for a wash”
- “expensive”
- “cost is high”
Not for daily use Rarely Noted
- “too strong for daily”
- “use sparingly”
- “over-exfoliated”
Runny consistency Rarely Noted
- “watery texture”
- “pours out fast”
- “hard to control”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, kohls.com, ulta.com, murad.com, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser work for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for your dry sensitive skin by providing gentle exfoliation and smoothing rough texture without causing irritation. However, because it lacks enough rich moisturizing and barrier-protecting ingredients, it does not fully address your dryness. A product of this type needs highly effective hydrating ingredients that provide soothing properties, significantly improve moisture levels, and contain rich moisturizers to truly comfort dry sensitive skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid help smooth texture and lift flakes on dry skin, while jojoba esters provide supportive moisture. This cleanser needs richer hydrating ingredients and skin-softening oils to fully care for dry and sensitive skin.
What does Glycolic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Glycolic acid can be too harsh for dry sensitive skin and may cause irritation, so this skin type needs gentle calming ingredients and deeply nourishing moisturizers to keep the skin barrier safe and smooth.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995The British Journal of Dermatology, 1997
What does Lactic Acid do for dry sensitive skin?
Lactic acid helps hydrate dry skin, but for sensitive skin it may cause stinging and irritation unless it is formulated with soothing ingredients like colloidal oat or tangerine fruit extract to calm discomfort.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2021
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliating cleanser fits into a dry and sensitive routine just once a week to gently smooth texture, as your skin needs extra moisturizing and softening ingredients like rich oils and butters to fully combat dryness.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
This cleanser works for your dry and sensitive skin, but a product of this type needs more soothing and rich moisturizing ingredients to properly address your dryness. Since this formula contains exfoliating acids, using it in the same routine as retinol may increase the likelihood of irritation.
How often should I use this cleanser?
Start by using this exfoliating cleanser just once a week, and if your dry and sensitive skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. A product of this type works best for dry skin when it includes rich soothing hydrators and protective ingredients to prevent dryness.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for your dry and sensitive skin. While it helps smooth texture and gently removes flakes, a product for this skin type needs extra rich, softening ingredients and skin-protecting sealants to fully prevent dryness.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A combination of dermapen and glycolic acid peel significantly decreased acne scar grades and resulted in higher patient satisfaction compared to either monotherapy in 30 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical formulations containing 3.75% glycerol and 1.25% hydrolyzed jojoba esters produced significantly lower evaporative TEWL values compared to glycerol alone at 8 and 24 hours posttreatment in human subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Hybrid nanogels incorporating carrageenan, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and jojoba oil enhance and provide controlled cutaneous permeation of niacinamide, protecting human keratinocytes from UV radiation compared to standard delivery.
Pharmaceutics, 2021Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Why other products fit dry sensitive skin better
Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016In 50 participants with sensitive skin, a Ceramide NP C15-containing emollient improved skin barrier function with a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss and induced modest changes in skin microbiota compared to the vehicle.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Jojoba Esters, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Pca, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Polyquaternium-4, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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