murad Intensive Age Diffusing Serum

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Water
2. PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
3. Glycolic Acid
4. Polymethylsilsesquioxane
5. Sclerotium Gum
6. Sodium Hydroxide
7. Dimethicone
8. Cetyl Alcohol
9. Dicaprylyl Maleate
10. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
11. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37
12. Urea
13. Yeast Amino Acids
14. Trehalose
15. Inositol
16. Taurine
17. Betaine
18. Salicylic Acid
19. Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
20. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
21. Retinol
22. Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
23. Sodium Hyaluronate
24. Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract
25. Strelitzia Nicolai Seed Aril Extract
26. Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
27. Iris Florentina Root Extract
28. Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract
29. Glycine Soja Sterols
30. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
31. Spondias Mombin Pulp Extract
32. Mangifera Indica Pulp Extract
33. Musa Sapientum Pulp Extract
34. Cetearyl Olivate
35. Sorbitan Olivate
36. Ascorbic Acid
37. Butylene Glycol
38. Chitosan
39. Propyl Gallate
40. Zinc Gluconate
41. Tocopheryl Acetate
42. Glycerin
43. Lecithin
44. Oleyl Alcohol
45. Glyceryl Stearate
46. PEG-100 Stearate
47. Disodium EDTA
48. Phenoxyethanol
49. Caprylyl Glycol
50. Chlorphenesin
51. Limonene
52. Linalool
53. Fragrance
54. Yellow 5
55. Orange 4

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of formaldehyde releasersContains PEGContains siliconesContains mineral oilContains animal-derivedContains EU-26 allergensContains fragranceContains essential oils

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

PPG-12/Smdi CopolymerCetyl Alcohol

BUFFERING

Glycolic AcidSodium Hydroxide

OPACIFYING

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

EMULSION STABILISING

Sclerotium Gum

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

Other ingredients

Dicaprylyl MaleatePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilPalmitoyl Tripeptide-37UreaYeast Amino AcidsTrehaloseInositolTaurineBetaineSalicylic AcidTrifolium Pratense Flower ExtractCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideRetinolCamellia Oleifera Leaf ExtractSodium HyaluronateSelaginella Lepidophylla ExtractStrelitzia Nicolai Seed Aril ExtractAvena Sativa Kernel ExtractIris Florentina Root ExtractDioscorea Villosa Root ExtractGlycine Soja SterolsSodium Ascorbyl PhosphateSpondias Mombin Pulp ExtractMangifera Indica Pulp ExtractMusa Sapientum Pulp ExtractCetearyl OlivateSorbitan OlivateAscorbic AcidButylene GlycolChitosanPropyl GallateZinc GluconateTocopheryl AcetateGlycerinLecithinOleyl AlcoholGlyceryl StearatePEG-100 StearateDisodium EDTAPhenoxyethanolCaprylyl GlycolChlorphenesinLimoneneLinaloolFragranceYellow 5Orange 4

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer

Film former, hair styling, volatile, dry touch, non-comedogenic.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid for exfoliation; requires buffering at concentrations >10%, avoid combination with other acids.

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicone polymer for emolliency, matte effect, and suspension; used in foundations or powder suspensions, typical usage 1-5%, smooth skin feel.

Sclerotium Gum

Non-ionic gum for gels; neutral pH, requires dissolution via heating or fine milling

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Cetyl Alcohol

Cetyl alcohol for emulsification/thickening; high concentration >10% may irritate.

Dicaprylyl Maleate

Dicaprylyl maleate; light emollient, low comedogenic, often a solvent

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Solubilizer and emulsifier for oil-soluble ingredients; high concentrations may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive skin.

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37

Not decoded yet

Urea

Potent humectant and keratolytic, >10% has exfoliating effect; stinging sensation at high levels, sensitive skin caution

Yeast Amino Acids

Yeast-derived soluble amino acid mix; potent humectant with small molecules for easy penetration, good for dry/damaged skin.

Trehalose

Trehalose; mild humectant and stabilizer for proteins/actives; hygroscopic, light skin feel.

Inositol

Humectant at 0.5–2%; gentle moisturizing, suitable for sensitive skin

Taurine

Taurine; buffering and chelating. Common in shampoos and eye washes, water-soluble.

Betaine

Betaine for mild moisturizing/surfactant; low concentration 1-2% common, high may irritate.

Salicylic Acid

Lipophilic BHA at 0.5-2%; exfoliant/sebum control, irritation/sensitization at high conc., photosensitivity (SPF needed), avoid sensitive/pregnant.

Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract

Red clover flower extract; astringent and fragrance, test for sensitization

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Light occlusive and solvent at 1–10%; non-greasy feel, suitable for oily and combination skin

Retinol

Highly active and unstable, needs robust antioxidant encapsulation; 0.1-1.0%, pregnancy contraindicated

Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Camellia oleifera leaf extract containing tea polyphenols; acts as astringent and skin conditioner, monitor raw material consistency.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Selaginella Lepidophylla Extract

Extraction of Selaginella; diterpenoid esters for antioxidant care, trace additive

Strelitzia Nicolai Seed Aril Extract

Queen coconut seed aril extract used for skin conditioning and moisture, specific mechanisms require verification.

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Antioxidant and soothing extract; mild abrasive properties, common in conditioning formulas

Iris Florentina Root Extract

Orris root extract, traditional fixative/tonic; contains volatile essentials, check allergen compatibility.

Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract

Wild Yam extract; traditional ingredient used as skin conditioner. Low concentration, limited clinical evidence.

Glycine Soja Sterols

Plant-derived emollient and conditioner; high purity and suitable for sensitive skin

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Vitamin C derivative antioxidant at 0.5–2%; light-sensitive, requires opaque packaging

Spondias Mombin Pulp Extract

Mombin pulp extract, phenol-containing; low-level emollient; data limited, high % unknown

Mangifera Indica Pulp Extract

Mango pulp extract, polyphenol-rich; low-level conditioner; some may react to mango protein

Musa Sapientum Pulp Extract

Banana extract; rich in vitamins and enzymes; claims moisturizing, verify stability

Cetearyl Olivate

Natural emulsifier pairing with glucosides; skin-like feel, biodegradable, prone to oxidation requiring light protection

Sorbitan Olivate

O/W emulsifier, HLB ~15, requires ionic co-surfactant, potential sensitizer.

Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin C, potent antioxidant requiring acidic environment for stability; oxidizes and discolors easily, needs light and air protection, concentration 1-10%, pure L-ascorbic acid is more irritating.

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Chitosan

Chitosan film former and hair fixative; crustacean-derived, label as allergen, high concentrations may cause itching.

Propyl Gallate

Oil-soluble antioxidant for oil stability; mild skin irritant.

Zinc Gluconate

Chelated zinc salt with antimicrobial and deodorizing effects; used in antiperspirants and oral care; has EU concentration limit.

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Lecithin

Phospholipid emulsifier at 1-5%; biocompatible, moisturizing/antioxidant, prone to oxidation (add TBHQ), mild for sensitive skin.

Oleyl Alcohol

Oleic acid derivative acting as emulsifier, thickener, and perfume; mild and low comedogenic risk, often paired with oleic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification

PEG-100 Stearate

Non-ionic emulsifier, requires ionics for stability; check PEG for formaldehyde.

Disodium EDTA

Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Chlorphenesin

Phenolic antimicrobial; strict EU limits apply, potential allergen, careful dosing required for leave-on products.

Limonene

Natural fragrance solvent, EU allergen; poor photostability

Linalool

Natural fragrance component at ≤0.05%; one of EU 26 allergens, caution for sensitive skin

Fragrance

Fragrance; concentration must control allergen risk, label specific components

Yellow 5

Synthetic dye for color; known allergen, may irritate sensitive skin.

Orange 4

Orange 4, a synthetic colorant for cosmetics; restricted pigment, must comply with regulatory limits.

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