Murad
Murad Environmental Shield Vitamin C Triple Exfoliating Facial
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
An exfoliating facial treatment with multiple active ingredients.
FEATURES
Combines physical, enzymatic, and chemical exfoliants; color-changing formula indicates even application; gold-stabilized vitamin C for antioxidant defense and brightening benefits.
BEST FOR
combination
CHECKS
Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Gluten, Animal-derived ingredients, Mineral oil, Formaldehyde, Oxybenzone, Petrolatum
Who Is It For?
Suitable For All Skin Types.What Does It Help With?
Smooths Skin Texture Brightens Tone Minimizes Dark Spots And Pores.Budget
Premium ($76-$150)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Murad Says
Product Description:
A triple-action exfoliating facial treatment that combines physical, enzymatic, and chemical exfoliants to smooth skin texture, brighten tone, and minimize the appearance of dark spots and pores.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
glycerin,silica,water,aqua,eau,glycolic-acid,propanediol,sodium-hydroxide,pentylene-glycol,polyglyceryl-10-tristearate,lactic-acid,titanium-dioxide,ci77891,synthetic-beeswax,pyrus-malus-apple-fruit-extract,salicylic-acid,tetrahexyldecyl-ascorbate,ascorbic-acid,glutathione,urea,yeast-amino-acids,trehalose,inositol,taurine,betaine,hydrolyzed-opuntia-ficus-indica-flower-extract,maltodextrin,phospholipids,polyacrylate-crosspolymer-6,cellulose-acetate,boron-nitride,propylene-glycol-stearate,sodium-acrylates-copolymer,polyglyceryl-10-stearate,hydrogenated-polyisobutene,helianthus-annuus-sunflower-seed-oil,acrylates,ammonium-methacrylate-copolymer,acrylates,c10-30-alkyl-acrylate-crosspolymer,sorbitol,xanthan-gum,protease,lipase,gold,phenoxyethanol,limonene,fragrance,parfum,orange-4,ci-15510,yellow-5,cl-19140,tocopherol
Key Ingredients
Gold-stabilized vitamin C, Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Salicylic acid, Micro-mineral exfoliants, High-performing enzymes
Ingredients Details
Betaine
Common Name(s): Trimethylglycine,tmg,natural betaine
CAS Number: 107-43-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides osmoprotective humectant conditioning with anti-irritant and mild foam-boosting activity.
Why It's Used: Natural-origin multifunctional osmolyte from sugar beet providing hydration, anti-irritancy, and conditioning in virtually every cosmetic category.
How It Works: Quaternary ammonium betaine provides zwitterionic character for water binding via ionic hydration. osmoprotective function at 100โ500mm as compatible solute protecting cells from osmotic stress. reduces surfactant irritation by competing with sls for protein binding sites. mild foam enhancement.
Typically Found In: Virtually all categories โ moisturisers, shampoos, cleansers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from beta vulgaris (sugar beet) molasses
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Betaine's anti-irritant mechanism for surfactant systems involves competitive protein protection: betaine at high concentrations preferentially interacts with skin proteins, occupying binding sites that would otherwise be occupied by surfactant molecules causing protein denaturation. this competition reduces available protein binding for irritating surfactants, explaining betaine's well-documented ability to reduce sls irritation when co-formulated.
Last Verified: Cosing database,craig betaine osmoprotective review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Fragrance
Common Name(s): Fragrance ingredient,eu allergen or aromatic component,olfactory/flavour
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides the complete fragrance profile contributing to product sensory experience and consumer appeal.
Why It's Used: Fragrance is a major consumer purchase driver โ up to 70% of consumers make purchasing decisions partially based on product scent.
How It Works: Fragrance blends interact with olfactory receptors providing the sensory profile โ complex mixtures activate multiple receptor types for rich, multidimensional scent experiences.
Typically Found In: All fragrance products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: Standard use levels
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Ifra guidelines set usage limits for fragrance ingredients based on skin sensitisation and phototoxicity assessment for each application category.
Last Verified: Eu regulation 1223/2009 annex iii,ifra standards,fragrance allergen declaration requirements
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glutathione
Common Name(s): Gsh,gamma-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinyl-glycine,reduced glutathione
CAS Number: 70-18-8
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides the body's primary antioxidant defense while reducing melanin production for brightening.
Why It's Used: Master antioxidant for comprehensive oxidative stress protection alongside unique melanin-shifting brightening action (pheomelanin preference).
How It Works: Three-amino acid tripeptide (gamma-glu-cys-gly). thiol group (-sh) provides electron donation for antioxidant activity and detoxification conjugation. shifts melanin synthesis from eumelanin (dark brown) toward pheomelanin (light yellow-red) for brightening. regenerates vitamins c and e from their oxidized forms.
Typically Found In: Brightening serums,antioxidant serums,anti-aging products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ master cellular antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Melanin shifting brightening,vitamins c+e regeneration,master antioxidant
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ fermentation-derived
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Produced by yeast fermentation or chemical synthesis. stability challenge โ use encapsulated or stabilized forms.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated; some reports of tingling at high concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glutathione's melanin-shifting mechanism (eumelaninโpheomelanin) is entirely different from tyrosinase inhibition. even in the presence of active tyrosinase, glutathione shifts the enzymatic product from dark eumelanin to lighter pheomelanin by chelating copper from the tyrosinase active site and competing for dopa substrate.
Last Verified: Cosing database,villarama & maibach glutathione brightening review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12