"I love this product. I’m in my 50’s and i still have issues with acne and this helps keep it under control."
Clarifying Water Gel
Clarifying Water Gel
- Hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates dry skin while salicylic acid exfoliates and refines for a balanced, non-greasy finish
- Korean red pine extract helps stop quorum sensing—a process known to cause microbiome imbalance and irritation
Complete Your Regimen
- with Clarifying Water Gel
Balancing the microbiome: a revolutionary route to clearer skin
Your skin is home to millions of perfectly balanced, individual bacteria known as your microbiome. Your microbiome protects like a second layer of skin. Scientific research shows that bacteria can sense and “talk” to each other to form a group. And as a group, these bacteria can throw off skin barrier balance, triggering the irritation associated with breakouts, including maskne. Clarifying Water Gel contains innovative technology that interrupts communication so bacteria can’t form a group and cause an imbalance. The result? Your microbiome stays balanced, dryness is reduced, and you see clearer, healthier-looking skin!
- Balanced·
- Oily·
- Combination·
- Sensitive
Hydrate your way to clearer skin
With Clarifying Water Gel! Murad’s non-comedogenic, water-light hydrator purifies, refines and interrupts bacteria signals that can lead to irritated skin. 92% noticed a clearer complexion after 4 weeks
Unretouched real results
Expert, science-backed ingredients and patented technologies
Water/Aqua/Eau, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Tapioca Starch, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Salicylic Acid, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Polyisobutene, Polysilicone-11, Polydextrose, Dextrin, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Serine, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Algin, Disodium Phosphate, Silica, Dipropylene Glycol, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Phosphate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Limonene, Hydroxycitronellal, Fragrance (Parfum)
Formulated Without:
Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Gluten
While Murad® strives to keep ingredient lists on this website as accurate as possible, we cannot guarantee that these lists are complete, reliable, up-to-date, and error-free. Please refer to the ingredients list on the product packaging for the most accurate list of ingredients.
"Clarifying Water Gel checks all the boxes for acne and oily-prone skin types. It hydrates, balances and calms for healthier-looking and clearer-looking skin"
—Board-certified dermatologist and founder Dr. Howard Murad
To Use: AM and PM
Step 2
Step 3
Get the Facts
Clear Skin: What’s Bacteria Have to Do With It?
More than we ever thought. Learn all about bacteria’s revolutionary new role in clearer skinLearn More
How to Hydrate Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Follow Dr.’s tips for avoiding “moisturizer mishaps" and zero in on your perfect matchLearn More
Overall rating: 4.5384617 / 5 from 65 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
The Clarifying Water Gel is a hydrating moisturizer praised for its mild, pleasant smell and ability to soften and supple acne-prone skin. However, opinions on its effectiveness and feel vary, with some users experiencing dryness or a greasy sensation.
Summary topics
- Skin Compatibility: 40%
- Product Scent: 8%
Review topics: [quality, weight, feels, use, spots, residue, consistency, buy, formula, skin, pores, works, hydration, moisturizer, gel, lotion, break, grail, cream].
Review highlights
- "My skin feels smooth after I apply it too." —
- "Excellent moisturizer for acne-prone skin" —
- "It makes my skin look better and feels good on" —
Reviews
Clarifying Water Gel
"Works well. . ."
Clarifying Water Gel
"It’s quite pleasant in the morning, refreshing and adds a supple quality to my skin."
Awesome
"I've been using this product for years! Its never let me down"
LOVE
"I’ve been using this product for years and I think it’s an amazing hydrator for combination,acne prone skin."
Cleared my hormonal acne without drying
"When I tell you that I tried EVERYTHING to clear my adult hormonal cystic acne, believe me. I even went to an aesthetician and spent thousands of dollars on laser treatments and expensive creams, washes and exfoliants that they sold me. They made my skin worse. I then got an ad for this product, and decided to give it a try since I’ve liked other Murad products. The first night I used it, I woke up the next morning with calmer skin. The cysts were already getting smaller. Within a week, my skin was much clearer. Now, a month later, my skin is glowing and completely clear! Im so happy I could cry!! Literally the holy grail product for me!"
Clarifying Water Gel A MUST Have
"The Clarifying Water Gel is one of those products that you try once and wonder why you were using anything else. I envy anyone trying this for the first time. I have acne prone skin; oil based moisturizer on my face just feels wrong. The CWG is so lightweight AND moisturizing, no clue how Murad pulled that off. I think magic."
Water Gel Moisturizer
"This is great for a night moisturizer. I found if I try to use under makeup it pills. Good scent and texture. Would have given 5 stars if not for the pills."
Wouldn’t rebuy
"Doesn’t do much. The gel consistency feels nice going on, but it’s not particularly moisturizing. I do like that it doesn’t leave my skin with a greasy shine like a lot of moisturizers, but it doesn’t do much."
Loved It
"I have been using Dr Murad for years since I was 24 years old . I also use a spot treatment for blemishes occasionally , which tends to dry my skin especially in these winter months. I tried this moisturizer and all the flaky skin from the spot treatment and around my nose disappeared in two days."
Q&A
- Is this a rebrand of the “Acne Control Outsmart Acne Clarifying Treatment”?
- No, actually, the treatment was a medicated serum using five acids to fight acne, whereas Water Gel is an oil-free moisturizer that hydrates and balances bacteria.
- Is this an actual moisturizer or do I need moisturizer after this?
- Yes, it is indeed a moisturizer.
- Can I use Clarifying Water Gel after Vitamin C Serum?
- Yes! You absolutely can.
- Can I use the Clarifying Water Gel if I also use a retinoid in the evening?
- Yes, you sure can!
- I have cystic acne (I’m in my 30s) and Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion is the ONLY lotion that didnt cause more breakouts. I imagine it’s because it had retinol. The oil control lotion and the anti aging lotion from this line both cause major cystic flare ups. Is this actually similar to the Skin Perfecting lotion? I’m about to buy the good one on eBay which is so annoying.
- First and foremost, we apologize for discontinuing your favorite. The Clarifying Water Gel contains salicylic acid which helps exfoliate the pores and hyaluronic acid which helps to balance the skin.