Murad vs Dermalogica. Both offer great products for anti-aging, acne, etc.
But is one better? Get the details on the ingredients, prices, and benefits of each.
Short answer: neither brand is really better than the other. They’re both really expensive.
They both offer really good products for dryness, anti-aging, acne, excess sebum, etc. And their products work.
However, not all brands have everything, and the deciding factor will probably come down to if one has a product or mix of ingredients that you’re looking for.
So let’s compare the two and see what they offer.
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Table of Contents
Murad vs Dermalogica product ingredients
Murad
Murad products are scientifically backed to optimize skin health and use carefully selected ingredients to promote skin wellness.
Their products are cruelty-free, nontoxic, and promote healthy living.
They use ingredients like prebiotic hydrating sugars, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins.
Most of their products are free from animal by-products, but some have trace amounts of honey, beeswax, and marine-derived compounds.
If you’re allergic to shellfish, you’ll want to stay away from any of their products that have chitosan listed in the ingredients.
They have a handy list of all their products with chitosan listed on their website that you can check out here.
Dermalogica
Dermalogica products don’t contain mineral oil, animal by-products, detergents, artificial colors, or artificial fragrances – all of which can cause skin irritation for a lot of people.
Dermalogica uses some of the best possible ingredients.
Which includes vitamins C, E, and acids but also seed extracts, amino acids, salicylic acid, and retinol to ensure that their products help solve your skin care needs.
Murad vs Dermalogica: cost $$$, which brand is more cost-effective?
Both brands are expensive.
Beyond that, the prices are fairly similar, give or take a few dollars here and there.
Murad’s moisturizers range in price from $20 to $90.
The Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream Travel Size is the least expensive at $25 and the 1.7 FL. OZ Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream is the most expensive at $86.
Dermalogica’s moisturizers have a price range of $20-$130.
Their Skin Smoothing Cream Moisturizer is the least expensive at $23, and their Super Rich Repair Moisturizer is the most expensive at $124.
So there’s no significant difference.
At the end of the day, it all depends on your budget and what you’re looking for.
Murad vs Dermalogica for dry skin
Both brands have a variety of options for dry skin, so you won’t have a problem finding products.
But let’s take a closer look at what each brand offers for dry skin.
The Murad range of hydration products will work for all skin types whether you have dry, aging, oily, or acne-prone skin.
No matter your skin type you’ll be able to find cleansers, creams, serums, etc that you can either use by themselves or layer together.
Here’s a list of some of their best sellers:
Bestselling Murad products for dry skin
This cream is designed to hydrate severely dry skin, relieve redness, and encourage recovery.
It contains shea butter, macadamia oil, and mirabilis jalapa extract to nourish and soothe the skin.
Pros
- It has a rich and creamy texture that feels luxurious on the skin.
- It helps to restore the skin’s moisture barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss.
- It calms and reduces inflammation and irritation caused by environmental stressors or skin conditions.
- It has a subtle floral scent that is not overpowering or artificial.
Cons
- It may be too heavy or greasy for some skin types, especially oily or acne-prone skin.
- It may not be suitable for sensitive skin as it contains fragrance and essential oils that can trigger reactions.
Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
Formulated to improve the look of wrinkles this cream firms, while you sleep.
It contains retinol tri-active technology, niacinamide, and picolinamide to boost collagen production, smooth fine lines, and even out skin tone.
Pros
- It has a lightweight and silky texture that absorbs quickly into the skin.
- It delivers visible results in as little as four weeks, according to clinical studies.
- It helps to brighten and rejuvenate the skin, making it look more youthful and refreshed.
- It has a mild citrus scent that is pleasant and relaxing.
Cons
- It may cause some initial irritation, peeling, or sensitivity as your skin adjusts to retinol.
- It may not be compatible with other products that contain retinol, vitamin C, or acids.
Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture
This moisturizer is designed to provide lightweight 24-hour hydration to the skin.
It contains hyaluronic acid, coconut extract, and shea butter to plump and smooth the skin.
Pros
- It has a gel-cream texture that feels refreshing and cooling on the skin.
- It hydrates the skin without leaving any oily residue or shine.
- It helps to improve the skin’s elasticity and resilience.
- It has a neutral scent that is not noticeable or bothersome.
Cons
- It may not be moisturizing enough for very dry or dehydrated skin.
- It may contain some ingredients that can cause allergies or sensitivities, such as dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, or citric acid.
This serum is created to target stress lines, under-eye puffiness and dark circles, and dullness.
It contains caffeine, wild indigo, neuropeptide, paracress extract, and cannabis sativa seed oil to energize and revitalize the skin.
Pros
- It has a unique spherical delivery system that releases the active ingredients over time for optimal efficacy.
- It works fast to reduce the signs of stress and fatigue on the skin.
- It helps to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the complexion, and depuff the eye area.
- It has a light floral scent that is soothing and uplifting.
Cons
- It may not be suitable for oily or acne-prone skin as it contains oil-based ingredients that can clog pores or cause breakouts.
- It may not be compatible with other products that contain retinol, vitamin C, or acids.
Bestselling Dermalogica products for dry skin
Dermalogica offers products specifically designed for dry skin that use different ingredients, like ceramides, plant-derived ingredients, and hyaluronic acid, to create a barrier on the skin’s surface and to hydrate and balance the skin.
Intensive Moisture Balance Moisturizer
This moisturizer is designed to replenish dry and depleted skin with essential lipids and nutrients.
It contains hyaluronic acid, echinacea extract, centella asiatica extract, and aloe vera to hydrate and heal the skin.
Pros
- It has a creamy and nourishing texture that feels comforting on the skin.
- It helps to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier and prevent moisture loss.
- It calms and reduces inflammation and irritation caused by dryness or environmental stressors.
- It has a clean and herbal scent that is not overpowering or artificial.
Cons
- It may be too rich or heavy for some skin types, especially oily or acne-prone skin.
- It may contain some ingredients that can cause allergies or sensitivities, such as lanolin, cetyl alcohol, or lavender oil.
Skin Smoothing Cream Moisturizer
This moisturizer is formulated to smooth and improve the skin’s texture and tone.
It contains hyaluronic acid, mallow extract, cucumber extract, and grape seed extract to hydrate and protect the skin.
Pros
- It has a lightweight and silky texture that absorbs quickly into the skin.
- It hydrates the skin without leaving any oily residue or shine.
- It helps to improve the skin’s elasticity and firmness.
- It has a mild and pleasant scent that is not noticeable or bothersome.
Cons
- It may not be moisturizing enough for very dry or dehydrated skin.
- It may contain some ingredients that can cause allergies or sensitivities, such as dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, or citric acid.
This mist is designed to refresh and replenish the skin with antioxidants and hydration.
It contains white tea extract, licorice extract, vitamin C, and vitamin E to fight free radicals and brighten the skin.
Pros
- It has a fine and misty spray that feels refreshing and cooling on the skin.
- It hydrates the skin without leaving any sticky or greasy feeling.
- It helps to prevent oxidative damage and premature aging of the skin.
- It has a citrusy and floral scent that is invigorating and uplifting.
Cons
- It may not be suitable for sensitive skin as it contains alcohol, fragrance, and essential oils that can trigger reactions.
- It may not be compatible with other products that contain retinol, vitamin C, or acids.
This moisturizer is created to repair and nourish severely dry and damaged skin.
It contains shea butter, evening primrose oil, peptides, and algae extract to moisturize and regenerate the skin.
Pros
- It has a rich buttery texture that feels luxurious on the skin.
- It helps to restore the skin’s moisture barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss.
- It calms and reduces inflammation and irritation caused by dryness or environmental stressors.
- It has a subtle floral scent that is not overpowering or artificial.
Cons
- It may be too heavy or greasy for some skin types, especially oily or acne-prone skin.
- It may contain some ingredients that can cause allergies or sensitivities, such as lanolin, cetyl alcohol, or lavender oil.
Murad vs Dermalogica for oily skin
Both brands have oily skin covered; there are more than enough options and products for you to choose from.
So you can easily create an entire skincare routine dedicated to fighting excess sebum.
Bestselling Murad products for oily skin
Acne Control Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 | PA++++
This product is designed to control oil production, minimize pores, and protect the skin from sun damage.
It contains avocado extract, willow bark extract, argan oil, and zinc oxide to balance and shield the skin.
Pros
- It has a lightweight and non-greasy texture that absorbs quickly into the skin.
- It hydrates the skin without leaving any oily residue or shine.
- It helps to reduce excess sebum, unclog pores, and prevent breakouts.
- It has a high SPF rating that provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays.
Cons
- It may cause some initial purging or sensitivity as your skin adjusts to it.
- It may leave a white cast on darker skin tones due to its zinc oxide content.
AHA/BHA/Retinoid Daily Clarifying Peel
This peel is formulated to exfoliate, clarify, and renew the skin with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), beta hydroxy acids (BHA), and retinoid.
It contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, malic acid, retinyl propionate, niacinamide, and bisabolol to smooth and brighten the skin.
Pros
- It has a convenient two-phase pad system that delivers pre-measured doses of active ingredients.
- It works fast to improve the appearance of pores, texture, tone, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.
- It helps to stimulate collagen production and cell renewal.
- It has a mild and pleasant scent that is not noticeable or bothersome.
Cons
- It may cause some initial irritation, peeling, or sensitivity as your skin adjusts to it.
- It may not be compatible with other products that contain retinol, vitamin C, or acids.
Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser
This cleanser is designed to cleanse, clear pores, and treat acne even after rinsing.
It contains two types of salicylic acid, green tea extract, and menthol to exfoliate, soothe, and cool the skin.
Pros
- It has a gel-like texture that lathers well and feels refreshing on the skin.
- It helps to dissolve excess oil, purify pores, and prevent future breakouts.
- It calms and reduces inflammation and irritation caused by acne or environmental stressors.
- It has a minty scent that is invigorating and uplifting.
Cons
- It may cause some initial dryness, peeling, or sensitivity as your skin adjusts to it.
- It may not be suitable for sensitive skin as it contains alcohol, fragrance, and menthol that can trigger reactions.
Bestselling Dermalogica products for oily skin
- Daily Glycolic Cleanser – removes buildup, brightens skin –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Special Cleansing Gel – soap-free, foaming gel, protects skin’s natural moisture balance –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Active Moist Moisturizer – goes on sheer, prebiotic moisture, oil-free –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Precleanse Cleansing Oil – melts, sebum, sunscreen and make-up –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
Murad vs Dermalogica retinol
Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but it’s never too early or too late to start looking after your skin.
Murad and Dermalogica both have great retinol products for you to use, which can make key signs of wrinkles less visible within a few weeks.
Bestselling Murad retinol products
- Retinol Youth Renewal Serum – fast-acting, gentle enough to use daily, smooths your skin, fades lines and wrinkles –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
- Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum – gentle enough to use daily, hydrates with hyaluronic acid, helps to smooth wrinkles around your eyes –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
- Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream – minimizes the signs of aging, helps to hydrate and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
Bestselling Dermalogica retinol products
- Age Reversal Eye Complex – smoothes away the signs of skin aging –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Retinol Acne Clearing Oil – nourishes, slow-release retinol, fades fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Overnight Retinol Repair – accelerates skin renewal, increases cell turnover –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
Murad vs Dermalogica for sensitive skin
Murad’s sensitive skin care products will soothe, moisturize, and strengthen your skin barrier while protecting it from further irritation.
They also help lessen irritation and redness after waxing, sunburns, and even derma rolling.
Bestselling Murad products for sensitive skin
- Nutrient-Charged Water Gel – lightweight gel moisturizer hydrates fast, helps to plump your skin while locking in moisture –> check price on Amazon — SkinStore
- Intense Recovery Cream – hydrates severely dry skin, relieves redness, encourages recovery –> to check price on Amazon — SkinStore
- Revitalixir Recovery Serum – targets stress lines, under-eye puffiness and dark circles, works fast –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
Treat your skin sensitivities with Dermalogica’s line of gentle products. Their products work by combining ultraCalming™ complex, which contains oat and botanical extracts, as well as peptides, oil of evening primrose, sunflower seed, and avocado to strengthen your skin barrier and reduce redness.
Bestselling Dermalogica products for sensitive skin
- Ultracalming Cleanser – gel/cream for reactive skin –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Calm Water Gel – water-gel moisturizer, locks in moisture –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Barrier Repair – fortifies damaged skin barrier –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Ultracalming Serum Concentrate – restores and defends sensitive skin –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
Murad vs Dermalogica vitamin C
Murad and Dermalogica’s vitamin C products have active ingredients that help fade pigmentation, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture. Either brand will do the job.
If you’re looking to reduce skin discoloration and reverse the signs of sun damage and uneven skin tone, either brand’s serum will work wonders.
Bestselling Murad vitamin C products
- Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial – supports healthier looking skin, uses both physical, chemical & enzymatic exfoliants to gently remove dead skin cells –> check price on Amazon — SkinStore
- Vita-C Glycolic Serum – helps to dramatically brighten your skin so it looks healthier –> check the price on Amazon — SkinStore
- Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ – uses vitamin C to brighten, while hydrating, protecting and revitalizing your skin –> check price on Amazon — SkinStore
Bestselling Dermalogica vitamin C products
- Biolumin-c Vitamin C Gel Moisturizer – gel moisturizer, lightweight hydration –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Biolumin-c Vitamin C Eye Serum – lightweight, brightens and firms –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Biolumin-c Vitamin C Serum – enhances skin’s natural defence system –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
Murad vs Dermalogica for acne
Again, both brands offer similar products for acne. But Dermalogica gets bonus points for having separate products for adults and teens.
Most teens don’t need anti-aging ingredients, etc so their formulas are more simple; with ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree oil, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
The price points are different too, which is great. The products formulated for teenagers are way more affordable.
Bestselling Murad products for acne
- Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser – dissolve oil, purify your pores, and prevent future breakouts, salicylic acid –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
- InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment – fades acne scar size, depth and discoloration with continuous use –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
- Acne Control Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 | PA++++ – diminishes the of your pores by 54%, matters, smooth and blurs your fine lines and wrinkles –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
- 30-Day InvisiScar Kit – 4-piece set, includes Clarifying Cleanser, Outsmart Acne Clarifying Treatment, and Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF 45 with InvisiScar treatment –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
Bestselling Dermalogica products for acne
Adult acne
- Age Bright Clearing Serum – clears and heals breakouts, reduces visible signs of aging, salicylic acid —> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Retinol Acne Clearing Oil – nourishes, slow-release retinol, fades fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation —> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Age Bright Spot Fader – fades dark spots, calms breakouts –> check price on SkinStore or All Beauty
- Acne Clearing Skin Wash – salicylic acid/BHA, helps to clear skin and reduce skin aging –> check price on Amazon -SkinStore or All Beauty
Teen acne
- Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash – gentle, non-stripping formula, deep cleanse, also good for body acne –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Breakout Clearing Booster – clears skin fast, works with skin’s natural microbiome –> check price on Amazon -SkinStore or All Beauty
- Blackhead Clearing Fizz Mask – clears pores, targets blackheads, decongest skin –> check price on Amazon -SkinStore or All Beauty
Murad vs Dermalogica for anti-aging
Murad’s anti-aging products are made with ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid that have been clinically tested for their effectiveness. This means you can see visible results even faster.
Bestselling Murad products for anti-aging
- Dr. Zion x Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Masks – 5 extra large eye masks, deliver instant boost of retinol, works fast –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
- Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel – accelerates cell renewal, removes dull surface skin cells –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
- Targeted Wrinkle Corrector – boosts elasticity, works like a filler, smoothes wrinkles around your eyes –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
- Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream – minimizes the signs of aging, helps to hydrate and strengthen your skin’s protective barrier –> check price on Amazon or SkinStore
Dermalogica works to address the signs of aging at the source. They offer a range of products that are clinically proven to help prevent and combat dullness, pigmentation issues, loss of firmness, and fine lines and wrinkles.
Bestselling Dermalogica products for anti-aging
- Skin Resurfacing Lactic Acid Cleanser – clean, smooth and exfoliate all with one product, gentle enough for daily use –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask – rescues stressed, aging skin and works well for dull, dehydrated skin –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Dynamic Skin Recovery spf50 Moisturizer – lightweight, super hydrating, antioxidant protection against free radicals, SPF50 –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Super Rich Repair Moisturizer – nourishes severely dry skin –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Biolumin-c Vitamin C Serum – enhances skin’s natural defence system –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Daily Superfoliant Exfoliator – absorbs toxins, powder exfoliant (mix with water in your hands to make a paste before using) –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Antioxidant Hydramist – targets fine lines and hydrates –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Biolumin-c Vitamin C Eye Serum – lightweight, brightens and firms –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
Murad vs Dermalogica for body products
This is one of the categories where the brands differ the most.
Murad offers a Clarifying Body Duo kit that includes a body wash and spray that targets body acne, while Dermalogica offers several body products that aim to hydrate and moisturize.
If you’re looking for a body product to clear up body acne, the Murad Clarifying Body Duo kit is the clear winner.
But if you’re looking to hydrate instead, you can choose Dermalogica’s Conditioning Body Wash, their Body Hydrating Cream or the Phyto Replenish Body Oil.
FAQ’s
Is Murad good for aging skin?
Murad is definitely a good choice if you want to fight the signs of aging and keep your skin youthful and radiant.
Murad products are based on the science of cellular water, which means they work on the cellular level to repair the damage done by free radicals and other environmental factors.
They also use powerful ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, which help reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven texture caused by aging skin.
Some of their best-selling anti-aging products are:
Retinol Youth Renewal Serum: This serum is a game-changer for your skin. It contains a fast-acting retinoid that boosts collagen production, smooths fine lines, and evens out skin tone. It also has hyaluronic acid and swertia flower extract to hydrate and plump the skin. It’s gentle enough for daily use and suitable for all skin types.
Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum: This serum is a must-have if you want to brighten and rejuvenate your skin. It contains a stable form of vitamin C that fights free radicals, fades dark spots, and boosts radiance. It also has glycolic acid that exfoliates and improves skin texture. It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin.
Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture: This moisturizer is a lifesaver for dry and dehydrated skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, coconut extract, and shea butter to lock in moisture and smooth the skin. It also has avocado oil and sunflower oil to nourish and protect the skin. It’s rich but not greasy and leaves the skin feeling soft and supple.
Does Murad remove dark spots?
Yes, Murad has quite a few products that target dark spots.
Their bestselling “Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum” is suitable for most skin types of said to reduce the look of dark spots in just 14 days.
Is Dermalogica a luxury brand?
Dermalogica is a luxury brand in the sense that it has a high price point and it’s marketed towards people who can and are willing to invest in their skincare.
The company also has an expensive marketing campaign that makes it look awesome and super luxurious.
But, does that mean it’s worth it? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for in your skincare products.
There are other products that are similar to theirs in terms of ingredients and quality, but cheaper.
Is Dermalogica medical grade?
Yes, Dermalogica offers professional-grade skin care and has since 1986. On their website, it says that they offer professional skin treatments for skin therapists and customers alike.
They also say that their products are formulated without artificial colors, fragrances, mineral oil, lanolin, S.D. alcohol, parabens, or microplastics.
They also say that their products are cruelty-free and certified vegan.
Is Dermalogica good for aging skin?
Yes, Dermalogica is good for aging skin. In fact, their “age smart” products are formulated to firm and smooth away any and all signs of aging.
These products use peptides, vitamins A, C and E as well as linoleic acid to give you healthier skin. They also have nutrient rich extracts in them that moisturize, soften, and firm your skin.
- Dynamic Skin Recovery spf50 Moisturizer –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Antioxidant Hydramist –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Skin Resurfacing Lactic Acid Cleanser –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Daily Superfoliant Exfoliator –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
- Super Rich Repair Moisturizer –> check price on Amazon – SkinStore or All Beauty
Does Dermalogica have a hyaluronic acid?
Yes, Dermalogica has a hydration serum with hyaluronic acid and a hyaluronic ceramide mist. Ave they both do a really good job keeping skin plump and hydrated.
