Loading...
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 8.9/9.8 vs Murad Essential-C Cleanser at 8.0/9.8. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment wins for active ingredients.
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment edges ahead, winning 3 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: April 2026
24 unique
8 in common
39 unique
Where Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 7.1 compared to Murad Essential-C Cleanser's 4.4. Its formula features Retinol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 9.8 here versus 8.4 for Murad Essential-C Cleanser. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment brings Retinol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate as actives, while murad Essential-C Cleanser relies on Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, and Ascorbyl Palmitate. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Murad Essential-C Cleanser is better if you have
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment is better if you have
At premium pricing with a score of 8.0, Murad Essential-C Cleanser is a decent pick. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment sits at the mid-range level with a 8.9 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Murad Essential-C Cleanser is still a solid pick.
Based on ingredient analysis, Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment 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.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission from purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gracie free and independent.
© 2026 Gracie. All rights reserved. Data sourced from Open Beauty Facts (ODbL) and EU CosIng.