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ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads scores 8.4/9.8 and Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Firming & Smoothing Serum with Hyaluronic Acid scores 8.5/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
These two are neck and neck — just 0.1 points apart.
Scores last verified: June 2026
34 unique
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These two serums take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads scores 5.8 here versus 5.1 for Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Firming & Smoothing Serum with Hyaluronic Acid. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Firming & Smoothing Serum with Hyaluronic Acid brings Retinol, Ceramide Np, and Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract as actives, while aLPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads relies on Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, and Lactic Acid. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads is better if you have
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Firming & Smoothing Serum with Hyaluronic Acid is better if you have
At mid-range pricing with a score of 8.4, ALPYN Clarifying Cleanser with Glycolic Acid for Pores & Blackheads is a decent pick. Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Firming & Smoothing Serum with Hyaluronic Acid sits at the luxury level with a 8.5 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.
Based on ingredient analysis, Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Firming & Smoothing Serum with Hyaluronic Acid scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.
Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.
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© 2026 Gracie. All rights reserved. Data sourced from Open Beauty Facts (ODbL) and EU CosIng.