Loading...
Murad Essential-C Cleanser scores 8.0/9.8 vs Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm at 7.4/9.8. Murad Essential-C Cleanser wins for hydration.
Murad Essential-C Cleanser edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: April 2026
20 unique
29 unique
Where Murad Essential-C Cleanser really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.4 compared to Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm's 5.9. With Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, and Panthenol in its top ingredients, Murad Essential-C Cleanser delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.
Formulation Safety is another area of separation. Murad Essential-C Cleanser scores 9.0 here versus 8.0 for Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Murad Essential-C Cleanser brings Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, and Ascorbyl Palmitate as actives, while mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm relies on Tocopheryl Acetate, Centella Asiatica Extract, and Madecassoside. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm is better if you have
Murad Essential-C Cleanser is better if you have
At budget pricing with a score of 7.4, Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm is a decent pick. Murad Essential-C Cleanser sits at the premium level with a 8.0 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
Murad Essential-C Cleanser edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Mary & May CICA Soothing Cleansing Balm is still a solid pick.
Based on ingredient analysis, Murad Essential-C Cleanser 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.