Murad Essential-C Facial Cleanser - Foaming Gel Face Wash- Vitamin C & Antioxidant Rich Treatment Backed by Science Review
Our verdict
Murad Essential-C Foaming Gel Cleanser blends vitamin C, antioxidants, and panthenol in a citrus scented foaming formula for dry skin, and its 4.7 star average from 3,300 reviews puts it among the highest ratings in this entire comparison.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Dry skin buyers who want a vitamin C and antioxidant boost built into their daily foaming cleanse
Skip if
You need a large bottle for long term daily use, since the listed 2 fl oz size is on the smaller side, or you have oily, combination, or sensitive skin not specifically listed here
- Priced 20% below the category median ($19.99 across 238 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 3,300 owner ratings
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Popularity4.3/5
3,300 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other women's everyday face care: moisturizers, face mists, facial kits, rollers, cleansing brushes and steamers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
This cleanser is built around vitamin C and antioxidants, with panthenol added to help balance the formula, all wrapped in a citrus scented foaming gel. The listing specifies dry skin as its target skin type, and the material features include cruelty free, gluten free, and microbead free.
At $16 for a listed 2 fl oz size, it's priced in the middle of this roundup, though that size is smaller than several competitors, which is worth weighing against the price. The 4.7 star average across 3,300 reviews is one of the top ratings among the products covered here.
Recent purchase volume of 2 per month is modest, but a rating this high across a review base this size suggests a loyal core of repeat buyers rather than a fading product.
Pros
- 4.7 star rating from 3,300 reviews, one of the top ratings in this roundup
- Vitamin C, antioxidants, and panthenol in the formula
- Cruelty free, gluten free, and microbead free
- Citrus scent for a fresh cleansing feel
- Foaming gel format suited to daily use
Cons
- Listed 2 fl oz size is small relative to the $16 price
- Only listed for dry skin type, not confirmed for oily, combination, or sensitive skin
- 2 units bought in the past month suggests modest recent momentum
- Foaming formats can feel drying for some users even with panthenol included
Performance notes
Vitamin C is an antioxidant ingredient often used to support the look of brighter, more even toned skin over time with regular use. Panthenol is typically included to help support the skin's look of hydration, which helps offset a foaming format that can otherwise feel drying for some users. The citrus scent comes from the formula itself rather than any separately listed essential oil.
What buyers say
At 4.7 stars from 3,300 reviews, this cleanser sits among the best rated products in this entire comparison, suggesting a loyal and satisfied buyer base even alongside modest recent purchase volume.
More from Brand
Similar women's everyday face care: moisturizers, face mists, facial kits, rollers, cleansing brushes and steamers to consider
Frequently asked questions
Is this cleanser good for dry skin?
Dry skin is the specific type listed for this cleanser, and panthenol is included to help support the skin's look of hydration. That said, foaming cleansers in general, even gentle ones, can still feel drying for some people, so following up with a moisturizer is a good habit.
What does the vitamin C do in this cleanser?
Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that's commonly used to support the look of brighter, more even toned skin over time. Since this is a cleanser rather than a leave on product, it's on the skin briefly during washing rather than absorbed over hours.
How big is the bottle?
The listing specifies a 2 fl oz size, which is smaller than several other cleansers in this roundup. Weigh that against the $16 price to see if it fits your budget for regular, ongoing use.