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Murad Daily Clarifying Peel for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Murad Daily Clarifying Peel

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few products fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 highly suitable for combination skin, with ingredients like witch hazel and rosa canina fruit extract providing mild chemical exfoliation and soothing benefits.
  • 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 product in your PM routine starting once a week, then increase frequency carefully if your skin feels fine.
  • Apply this exfoliant step after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and wait a minute before layering.
  • Apply the exfoliant to clean, dry skin to help control your oily shine comfortably.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 500+ reviews

This 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 combination skin?

Murad Daily Clarifying Peel is a great fit because glycolic acid and salicylic acid renew the skin and clear the pores, while zinc gluconate helps regulate oil. Ingredients like witch hazel and rosa canina fruit extract provide mild chemical exfoliation and soothing benefits. The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?

Glycolic acid and salicylic acid renew your skin and clear out pores, while zinc gluconate helps balance oil production. Witch hazel and rosa canina fruit extract also bring mild exfoliating and soothing benefits.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

What does Glycolic Acid do for combination skin?

Glycolic acid helps smooth and brighten combination skin by gently loosening dead surface cells to speed up skin renewal. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, but it needs a reliable sunscreen during the day since it makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

Acta Dermato-venereologica, 1995Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997

What does Salicylic Acid do for combination skin?

Salicylic acid helps clear clogged pores and balance oily areas while remaining gentle enough for dry spots on combination skin. It reduces breakouts and oiliness effectively with a low likelihood of irritation.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine, as treatments with active ingredients are best used then for simplicity and safety around sun exposure. Start by using it once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often.

Can I use this exfoliant with benzoyl peroxide, and in what order?

It is best to avoid using this exfoliant and benzoyl peroxide at the same time, as combining harsh treatments may increase the likelihood of skin irritation. You can alternate them on different days or use one in the morning and the other at night if your skin tolerates it well.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start by using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your combination skin tolerates it well and shows good results.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because its ingredients work to clear out pores and help control oil. It contains glycolic acid and salicylic acid, which may cause some initial purging or peeling as they renew the skin.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

Is this exfoliant 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, 2023

  • A 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, 2026

  • A 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, 2020

  • Hamamelis 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, 2001

  • Topical treatments containing rosehip extract may reduce the size and erythema of postsurgical scars through macrophage polarization and inflammatory cytokine inhibition, though current clinical evidence remains insufficient to recommend its routine use.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Repeated 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, 2000

  • Serial 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, 2017

  • Cryotherapy 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, 2010

  • Treatment 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, 2024

  • Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010

  • Over-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, 2021

  • A 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, 2010

  • A 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, 2024

  • Topical 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, 2016

  • A 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, 2020

  • An 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, 2018

  • A 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, 2018

  • Witch 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

  • Hamamelis virginiana bark extract inhibited Cutibacterium acnes-induced IL-6 release and TNF-α-induced IL-8 release in human keratinocytes without showing antibacterial or antibiofilm activities.

    Antioxidants, 2022

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play