Murad Daily Clarifying Peel for acne-prone skin
Glycolic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Retinyl Propionate
Allantoin
Witch Hazel WaterHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 excellent exfoliation for your combination skin, as glycolic acid and salicylic acid work to renew the skin and decongest the pores, while zinc gluconate helps regulate oil production.
- This formula is also beneficial for your acne and blemishes, promoting skin clarification through its exfoliating properties.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
- Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsThis bi-phase peel is highly praised by users with oily, combination, and acne-prone skin for its effective blend of AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids that smooth texture and minimize pores. Most users find the formula surprisingly gentle and hydrating, noting significant improvements in congestion and breakout frequency with consistent use.
Highlights
Improves texture Mostly Mentioned
- “Skin feels much smoother”
- “Noticed a difference in texture”
- “Skin looks more refined.”
Gentle, non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “Doesn't dry my skin”
- “Surprisingly gentle formula”
- “No irritation or burning.”
Reduces breakouts Often Mentioned
- “Helped reduce daily breakouts”
- “Keeps congestion at bay”
- “Cleared up my acne.”
Minimizes pores Sometimes Noted
- “Pores look tighter”
- “Visibly improved pore size”
- “Clarifies congested pores.”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “Expensive for the size”
- “High price point”
- “Not a budget option.”
Ineffective for some Rarely Noted
- “Didn't work for me”
- “No visible difference”
- “Hormonal acne persisted.”
Initial burning Rarely Noted
- “Reported a burning sensation”
- “Stings upon application”
- “Too harsh for me.”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Easy to spill”
- “Bottle design is messy”
- “Hard to dispense.”
Sources: lovi.care, murad.com, sephora.com.au, healthline.com, reallyree.com, adorebeauty.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Murad Daily Clarifying Peel a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Murad Daily Clarifying Peel is a great fit because glycolic acid and salicylic acid renew the skin and clear out pores, while zinc gluconate helps keep oil in check. This formula is also beneficial for breakouts and helps keep the skin clear without causing irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid and salicylic acid make this exfoliant a great fit for acne-prone skin by renewing the surface and clearing out pores, while zinc gluconate helps balance oil production. These ingredients work together to promote skin clarification and reduce blemishes without causing irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
What does Salicylic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and calming redness without causing many side effects. It works by dipping deep into pores to clear out blockages and control oil, making it a reliable choice for keeping skin smooth and clear.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
Murad Daily Clarifying Peel goes into the evening routine after cleansing and toning, starting at once a week so your skin can adjust. This formula clears out pores and helps balance oil production, and it has a very safe profile with little likelihood of irritation.
Can I use this exfoliant with benzoyl peroxide, and in what order?
It is best not to use this exfoliant and benzoyl peroxide at the same time, as combining them may cause skin irritation. Instead, alternate their use on different days or use one in your morning routine and the other at night.
How often should I use it?
Start by using this treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. This gradual approach helps clear your acne and unclog pores safely without causing irritation.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2003Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for your acne-prone skin because glycolic acid and salicylic acid work to renew the skin and decongest the pores while zinc gluconate helps regulate oil production. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps promote skin clarification.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum).
What the research says
Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019A novel triple-active cosmetic formulation containing 4-hexylresorcinol, retinyl propionate, and niacinamide improved the visual appearance of photoageing similarly to 0.02% tretinoin and reversed a consensus gene signature associated with ageing in female adults while causing less skin irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024Repeated 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, 2017Cryotherapy 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, 2024Over-the-counter retinol products provided only weak evidence for a mild ameliorating effect on fine facial skin wrinkle lines in randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, and major methodological flaws call the validity of positive results into question.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021A cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate regimen significantly improved periorbital wrinkle appearance relative to a 0.02% tretinoin regimen at 8 weeks with comparable benefits at 24 weeks, while demonstrating significantly better tolerability in 196 women.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010Topical retinyl propionate cream produced no statistically significant differences compared to placebo for any clinical, histological, or profilometric parameters of skin photoageing in 80 subjects.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1998Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018A Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract increased LOXL1 expression twofold, decreased elafin synthesis, restored functional elastic fibers, reduced nonfunctional elastin aggregates, decreased wrinkles, and improved skin firmness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018Hamamelis bark proanthocyanidins strongly increased the proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes and reduced transepidermal water loss and erythema formation in SLS-irritated skin, whereas the polysaccharide fraction had no effect.
Phytochemistry, 2001Witch hazel bark extract and hamamelitannin showed pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, supported keratinocyte migration in a wound healing assay, and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, whereas their skin microbiota metabolite ellagic acid stimulated inflammatory mediator release.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Witch Hazel Water, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Butyl Avocadate, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Retinyl Propionate, Allantoin, Zinc Gluconate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract Flower, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Bht, Betaine, Inositol, Taurine, Trehalose, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium Edta, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol
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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
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