Murad Clear Control 30-Day Acne Kit Review

Even though the Clear Control 30-Day Acne Kit involves four steps, it is still very simple and easy to use.

Murad Clear Control 30-Day Acne Kit is one of the best options currently on the market for treating acne, especially mild acne made up primarily of blackheads and whiteheads. For various reasons, it doesn’t quite measure up to Exposed🏆, but Murad is absolutely worth considering.

About Murad

Created by dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad in 1989, the company is still going strong and offers all kinds of products for various skincare needs. The Clear Control 30-Day Acne Kit is their most comprehensive acne system, and based on its products and ingredients, it is very useful in treating mild acne. It includes the Clarifying Cleanser, Outsmart Acne Clarifying Treatment, Oil-Control Mattifier SPF-15, and Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment. Together, these products create a simple and effective acne treatment regimen that is especially helpful when it comes to treating blackheads and whiteheads.

🙂 Benefits:

One of the biggest benefits of the Murad Clear Control 30-Day Acne Kit is how well it exfoliates the skin. Exfoliation is essential for good skincare, especially for acne-prone skin, because the process removes excess oil and dead skin cells that would otherwise clog the pores and cause blackheads and whiteheads. There are many ways to exfoliate the skin, but one of the most effective ingredients for doing so is salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid can:

  • Exfoliate excess oil and dead skin cells
  • Break up already clogged pores
  • Shrink the pores to prevent future buildup

The Clarifying Cleanser and the Outsmart Acne Clarifying Treatment both contain 1.5% salicylic acid, and the Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment contains 2% salicylic acid, both very safe and effective concentrations of salicylic acid, though they may dry out particularly dry or sensitive skin types.

To help combat this possibility, the Murad Clear Control kit also includes a variety of gentle natural ingredients in each of the products, including chamomile extract, shea butter esters, and honey extract.

🙁 Drawbacks:

Even though the formulas used in Murad products use Salicylic Acid to unclog pores, the system lacks the most crictal OTC ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide. The Murad System will help people with pore based issues but this may not be your best choice – this is because not everyone has just blackheads and whiteheads. For those of us with pimples and cysts as well, the Murad Clear Control kit may not be the most effective option.

Murad Clear Control kit doesn’t contain any benzoyl peroxide in any of its products, so it’s not suitable for treating pimples or cystic acne…

Pimples and cysts are caused largely by acne-causing bacteria, and salicylic acid doesn’t kill those bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most effective ingredients for killing acne-causing bacteria without causing further irritation, but the Murad Clear Control kit doesn’t contain any benzoyl peroxide in any of its products. Because of this, this particular kit is not best suited for treating pimples or more severe forms of acne, like cystic acne.

Additionally, the Oil-Control Mattifier SPF-15 is not the best sunscreen option for people of color, which is a problem because sunscreen is especially important for acne-prone skin of color. Skin of color is more likely to develop hyperpigmentation, or dark spots left behind when acne heals, and exposure to the sun can make these spots even darker. However, the Oil-Control Mattifier SPF-15 in the Murad Clear Control kit contains 3% zinc oxide, an ingredient with a stubborn white hue that can make skin of color appear purple, green, or ashy. 

Real Reviews from Real Customers

Still not sure if the Murad Clear Control 30-Day Acne Kit is right for you? Then we highly recommend checking out reviews from real customers. The kit will work differently for everyone, but it can be very helpful to see how other people felt about the kit before buying it yourself. Below are a few helpful reviews from Influenster.com.

Bryce L.

Nov. 11, 2018

3 star rating3.0 out of 5 stars
verified purchasePurchased at Sephora

I don’t think this did much for my acne besides irritating my sensitive skin. I used it every day until the products ran out and the only product I’d repurchase is the mattifier.

Bailey A.

Jun. 6, 2019

4 star rating4.0 out of 5 stars

I’ve been using this kit for a few weeks and already seeing results. Noticing less breakouts, clearer pores and better skin quality. Definitely going to keep using and worth the money.
Skin Type: Combination
Skin Concerns: Acne, Blackheads, Large Pores, Redness, Sensitivity, Uneven Skin Tone

Roxanne R.

Mar 8, 2019

5 star rating5.0 out of 5 stars

If you have acne and you have already tried proactive and curology (like me). Look no further! This has helped me more than anything for my skin! It is such a good price! And if you can’t afford dermatology or strong acne medications please TRY THIS!!
Skin Type: Combination, Sensitive
Skin Concerns: Acne, Fine Lines & Wrinkles, Scarring

Overall Opinion on Murad Clear Control 30-Day Acne Kit

The Murad Clear Control kit contains everything you need to treat mild acne and get clear skin.

In general, the Murad Clear Control 30-Day Acne Kit is an excellent treatment tool—as long as you have fair skin and your acne is relatively mild. If your skin fits this profile, Murad could easily be the key to getting the clear skin you’ve been chasing. The salicylic acid in particular should give your skin a healthy, blemish-free glow.

 

Better than a strong acne medication? The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that Benzoyl Peroxide + Salicylic Acid produced even better results than a leading non-OTC product: so it might be best to look for that combination in the acne treatment you choose.

Acne Treatment Comparison Chart

Discover which acne treatment is best for your skin. Below we compare the most popular, best-selling complete acne treatment systems available on the market today3.

comparison arrow
active ingredients icon
Scientific Actives
& Skin Repairing
Ingredients
Murad Clear Control
Murad®

Clear Control

Visit
Murad
Exposed Basic Kit
Exposed®

Basic Kit

Visit
Exposed
Paula's Choice CLEAR Regular Strength
Paula's Choice

CLEAR Regular Strength

Visit
Paula's Choice
Rodan & Fields Unblemished
Rodan & Fields®

Unblemish

Visit
Rodan & Fields
benzoyl peroxide icon
Benzoyl PeroxideKills Acne Bacteria
salicylic acid icon
Salicylic AcidUnclogs Pores
glycolic acid icon
Glycolic AcidRenews Skin
sulfur icon
SulfurDries Sebum
azelaic acid icon
Natural Dicarboxylic AcidNormalizes Skin
natural extracts icon
Natural Extracts
Proven to Heal
Skin
Murad®

Clear Control

Visit
Murad
Exposed®

Basic Kit

Visit
Exposed
Paula's Choice

CLEAR Regular Strength

Visit
Paula's Choice
Rodan & Fields®

Unblemish

Visit
Rodan & Fields
green tea icon
Green TeaKills Acne Bacteria
passion flower icon
Passion FlowerReduces Inflammation
aloe vera icon
Aloe VeraSoothes Irritated Skin
sage extract icon
Sage ExtractFights Free Radicals
goru kola icon
Gotu KolaImproves Skin Healing
value icon
Guarantee and Price(60-day supply)
60 days$79.94
365 days$59.95
60 days$48.00
30 days$193.99
3.683 reviews
3.8219 reviews
3.650 reviews
google icon
Google Shopping Rating(Updated 9/10/2019)
4.0529 reviews
4.5929 reviews
4.2568 reviews
4.02,756 reviews
staff rating icon
Staff Rating
Exposed Basic Kit
Exposed®

Basic Kit

active ingredients icon
Scientific Actives & Skin Repairing Ingredients
benzoyl peroxide icon
Benzoyl PeroxideKills Acne Bacteria
salicylic acid icon
Salicylic AcidUnclogs Pores
glycolic acid icon
Glycolic AcidRenews Skin
sulfur icon
SulfurDries Sebum
azelaic acid icon
Natural Dicarboxylic AcidNormalizes Skin
natural extracts icon
Natural Extracts Proven to Heal Skin
green tea icon
Green TeaKills Acne Bacteria
passion flower icon
Passion FlowerReduces Inflammation
aloe vera icon
Aloe VeraSoothes Irritated Skin
sage extract icon
Sage ExtractFights Free Radicals
goru kola icon
Gotu KolaImproves Skin Healing
value icon
Guarantee and Price(60-day supply)
365 days$59.95
google icon
Google Shopping Rating(Updated 9/10/2019)
4.5929
reviews
staff rating icon
Staff Rating
Murad Clear Control
Murad®

Clear Control

active ingredients icon
Scientific Actives & Skin Repairing Ingredients
benzoyl peroxide icon
Benzoyl PeroxideKills Acne Bacteria
salicylic acid icon
Salicylic AcidUnclogs Pores
glycolic acid icon
Glycolic AcidRenews Skin
sulfur icon
SulfurDries Sebum
azelaic acid icon
Natural Dicarboxylic AcidNormalizes Skin
natural extracts icon
Natural Extracts Proven to Heal Skin
green tea icon
Green TeaKills Acne Bacteria
passion flower icon
Passion FlowerReduces Inflammation
aloe vera icon
Aloe VeraSoothes Irritated Skin
sage extract icon
Sage ExtractFights Free Radicals
goru kola icon
Gotu KolaImproves Skin Healing
value icon
Guarantee and Price(60-day supply)
60 days$79.94
amazon icon
Amazon Rating(Updated 9/10/2019)
3.683
reviews
google icon
Google Shopping Rating(Updated 9/10/2019)
4.0529
reviews
staff rating icon
Staff Rating
Paula's Choice CLEAR Regular Strength
Paula's Choice

CLEAR Regular Strength

active ingredients icon
Scientific Actives & Skin Repairing Ingredients
benzoyl peroxide icon
Benzoyl PeroxideKills Acne Bacteria
salicylic acid icon
Salicylic AcidUnclogs Pores
glycolic acid icon
Glycolic AcidRenews Skin
sulfur icon
SulfurDries Sebum
azelaic acid icon
Natural Dicarboxylic AcidNormalizes Skin
natural extracts icon
Natural Extracts Proven to Heal Skin
green tea icon
Green TeaKills Acne Bacteria
passion flower icon
Passion FlowerReduces Inflammation
aloe vera icon
Aloe VeraSoothes Irritated Skin
sage extract icon
Sage ExtractFights Free Radicals
goru kola icon
Gotu KolaImproves Skin Healing
value icon
Guarantee and Price(60-day supply)
60 days$48.00
amazon icon
Amazon Rating(Updated 9/10/2019)
3.8219
reviews
google icon
Google Shopping Rating(Updated 9/10/2019)
4.2568
reviews
staff rating icon
Staff Rating
Rodan & Fields Unblemished
Rodan & Fields®

Unblemish

active ingredients icon
Scientific Actives & Skin Repairing Ingredients
benzoyl peroxide icon
Benzoyl PeroxideKills Acne Bacteria
salicylic acid icon
Salicylic AcidUnclogs Pores
glycolic acid icon
Glycolic AcidRenews Skin
sulfur icon
SulfurDries Sebum
azelaic acid icon
Natural Dicarboxylic AcidNormalizes Skin
natural extracts icon
Natural Extracts Proven to Heal Skin
green tea icon
Green TeaKills Acne Bacteria
passion flower icon
Passion FlowerReduces Inflammation
aloe vera icon
Aloe VeraSoothes Irritated Skin
sage extract icon
Sage ExtractFights Free Radicals
goru kola icon
Gotu KolaImproves Skin Healing
value icon
Guarantee and Price(60-day supply)
30 days$193.99
amazon icon
Amazon Rating(Updated 9/10/2019)
3.650
reviews
google icon
Google Shopping Rating(Updated 9/10/2019)
4.02,756
reviews
staff rating icon
Staff Rating

Find more information and before/after pictures on the Exposed Skincare website.

What the Pros Say: Review Summaries

Basic Kit

Best Overall Acne Treatment   4.5/5

Our Top Recommendation – If you have sensitive skin, this kit is definitely a good option for you. This product has all the key ingredients and more, utilizing both scientific and natural actives to effectively treat and prevent all kinds of acne, from blackheads to pimples. It contains benzoyl peroxide to help treat pimples, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid to treat blackheads and whiteheads, and it contains green tea, aloe vera, and passionflower extract to reduce inflammation and redness.

High-quality ingredients with an ideal combination of active ingredients, this kit has the highest customer ratings on both Amazon and Google Shopping, & comes with a full one-year money-back guarantee.

Although it is still generally very affordable, this kit is slightly more expensive than some of the other kits in this list.

Mild Acne Treatment – (Runner Up)

Clear Control Kit   3.5/5

This kit is designed to treat and prevent very mild acne and works best with normal to oily skin. It contains salicylic acid, which helps open pores and fights blackheads and whiteheads, and sulfur, which helps dry out excess oil. It also contains a few natural ingredients, like passionflower and sage extract, which can both help reduce inflammation.

This acne treatment kit is the most affordable option in this list, making it a great place to start if you are hesitant to invest too much money into your skincare right away.

The products in the Murad kit do not contain ingredients that effectively prevent or treat pimples (pustule or papules), though it is a good solution for treating white/blackheads.

CLEAR Regular Strength

3.0/5

This is a classic acne treatment kit, containing the two most popular ingredients on the market: salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. By combining these ingredients, this kit can effectively treat blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. It is relatively gentle, meaning it’s a great option for dry to normal skin types.

This kit contains only three products and involves a very simple routine, so it’s a great option for those who struggle to stick to new habits.

Surprisingly it does not contain any anti-inflammatory ingredients and isn’t the best for sensitive skin types and can reduce its effectiveness.

Unblemish

Overall Acne Treatment (Runner Up)   4.0/5

This kit is a good option for those who have both oily and sensitive skin. The benzoyl peroxide effectively treats pimples, while the sulfur helps dry out excess oil that can contribute to blackheads and whiteheads. It also includes sage and green tea extract, to help prevent sensitive skin from having an inflammatory reaction to the benzoyl peroxide or sulfur.

This kit is the best one in this list for skin that is both oily and sensitive.

Unfortunately, this particular kit is far more expensive than the other options by nearly $150.