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murad rapid resurfacing peel dupe

Stop the press: I’ve found a dupe for Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel.

These handy exfoliating pads have a lot going for them: they smoothen out imperfections, brighten the complexion, and are super easy to travel with.

But at $44.00 for 16 single wipes, they’re not the most cost-effective option out there. Surely, there must be something else that does the same thing at a fraction of the cost.

Meet L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Peed Pads. At first glance, they’re the perfect dupe for Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel. Let’s see how they stand up to it:

What Key Ingredients Do Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel & L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Have In Common?

GLYCOLIC ACID

Glycolic acid is the star of the show here.

It’s the smallest member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) family, a group of exfoliants that dissolves the glue that holds skin cells together.

Once the old, damaged dead cells are off your skin, your complexion looks smoother, softer and brighter. Oh, glycolic acid hydrates skin, too. That’s what makes it the perfect exfoliant for dry skin. (Oily skin? Try salicylic acid instead).

At 10%+ concentrations, glycolic acid goes a step further: it also boosts the production of collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm. More collagen = firmer skin + fewer wrinkles.

I trust Murad when it says its Rapid Resurfacing Peel has 10% glycolic acid. It’s the 4th ingredient on the ingredient list, so there’s plenty of it.

Compare that to L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Peed Pads. Glycolic acid is in 6th place… So why does the brand claims it has 10% Glycolic acid? Is it lying?

Nope. L’Oreal claims the pads have a “10% Glycolic Complex.” Complex is the key word here. L’Oreal is counting both glycolic acid and some other ingredient (which it doesn’t mention) to reach that 10%…

Does that mean the L’Oreal pads are useless? Nope. They’re just for beginners. Glycolic acid is harsh. If you’ve never used it before, it can irritate and dry out your skin.

The best way to avoid its side effects? Start with a low concentration – like the one in the L’Oreal pads – and upgrade to a higher concentration later – hello, Murad!

Related: The Complete Guide To Glycolic Acid: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It

ALCOHOL DENAT

Alcohol Denat is one of the most confusing ingredients in skincare. Some people swear it’s the devil incarnate while others think it’s totally fine.

Who’s right? Both. It all depends on how you use it. Let me explain…

Used alone, alcohol denat can be terribly drying and irritating. But add a few moisturising ingredients to the formula and voila, you counteract its side effects.

Neither Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel and L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Peel Pads are particularly moisturizing. You must follow them up with a good moisturizer.

But what is alcohol denat doing here anyway? It helps active ingredients better penetrate skin, so they can work better and faster.

P.S. Some people can’t use alcohol denat at all. If you moisturize well and your skin still gets dry and irritated, ditch it.

Related: The Truth About Alcohol-Free Skincare

VITAMIN C

Both Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel and L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Peel Pads contain Vitamin C. But they use different forms (yes, vitamin C comes in MANY forms).

Murad uses Ascorbic Acid, the pure type of Vitamin C. It’s the most effective. It fights free radicals, boosts collagen production, and brightens the complexion, too.

L’Oreal uses Ascorbyl Glucoside, a derivative of Ascorbic Acid. It does the same job – just not as well. It’s less effective, but gentler on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, this is better for you.

Either way, neither exfoliant contains a huge amount of Vitamin C. I wouldn’t make my choice based only on this.

Related: All The Types Of Vitamin C Used In Skincare: Which One Is Best?

What Else Is In These Exfoliants?

Not much. Murad Resurfacing Peel has a smidgen of fatty acid (Linoleic acid) to make it a little moisturizing.

But L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Peel Pads are a very basic formula. It has glycolic acid, alcohol, and little else.

What’s The Texture Like?

Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel looks like a small towelette. L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Peel Pads are more like giant cotton pads. Both are soaked in the exfoliating solution and gentle on the skin.

What’s The Packaging Like?

Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel comes in a sleek and orange box that contains 16 wipes. Used every other day, they’ll last you roughly a month.

L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Peel Pads come in a red and white jar that houses 30 pads. Used every other day, they’ll last you two months.

How To Use Them

I don’t care what brands say. It’s NOT a good idea to exfoliate every day.

There’s a reason why you have dead cells: they protect the brighter skin underneath that’s not ready to come to the surface yet.

When you remove a couple of layers of dead cells, your skin becomes smoother and brighter. When you remove too many, your skin turns into a red, irritated mess.

So, how often should you exfoliate? Two or three nights a week, right after cleansing.

Related: How Often Should You Use An AHA Exfoliant?

Which Of The Two Should You Go For?

Go for Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel if:

  • You’ve already used glycolic acid before and your skin tolerates it well
  • Price isn’t a concern
  • You’re looking for an easy-to-travel-with exfoliant

Go for L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Peel Pads if:

  • You’ve never used glycolic acid before
  • You’re on a budget

Availability

Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel ($40.00/£46.00): 16 pads. Available at Dermstore, Feel Unique, and Sephora.

L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Pads ($19.99/£24.00): 30 pads. Available at Boots, Walgreen and Walmart.

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Are L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Peel Pads A Dupe For Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel?

I wouldn’t call L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Peel Pads an exact dupe for Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel. But it’s a chaper alternative for people who have never used glycolic acid before.

Have you tried these two exfoliants? Share your fave pick in the comments below.

Murad Rapid Resurfacing Peel Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Linoleic Acid, Punica Granatum Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Propyl Gallate, Lecithin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA

L’Oreal RevitaLift Bright Reveal Daily Pads Ingredients

Aqua/Water, Alcohol Denat, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.