Howard Murad's Blog, page 28

Happy Mother’s Day from Our Family to Yours

Is there anything more powerful than the love of a mother? Mothers are one of life’s best teachers. They inspire us, encourage us and love us unconditionally. They show us what strength looks like, and they never, ever give up on us.

From all of us here at Murad to all the wonderful moms out there, we wish you a happy, healthy, joyful Mother’s Day. Thank you for everything you do.

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Celebrating New Mothers at #MuradHQ

Ask any mother and she will tell you that becoming a mom is one of life’s most joyful and fulfilling experiences. Here at our Murad headquarters, we have two moms-to-be in the house, Patricia Nobel and Erin Bitar, along with brand-new mom Kristen Robinson. We’re excited that they agreed to share with us their experiences, recommendations and tips about all things babies and motherhood.

Kristen Robinson, Director of New Product Development & New Mom

How old is your child?

6 months.

If you could pick 3 words to describe motherhood, what would they be?

Miraculous. Grounding. Fulfilling.

What are the biggest challenges of being a new mom?

Convincing my retired parents to move to LA! For both me and my parents (as well as brothers/nieces/aunts/uncles/cousins), it’s emotionally challenging to know that they aren’t able to be with Wesley on a regular basis; to shower her with their unconditional love in person and teach her life lessons, family values and pass down old traditions. We make every effort to FaceTime, share pictures and plan regular travel to be together.

Balancing time for all the important areas of your life, while being a mom, is challenging. Your energy and efforts become divided, and it can be a struggle to find time for your husband, self, friends and household. Reducing complexity and keeping it simple is my best rule of thumb to help find balance.

What’s your favorite thing about being a mom?

Watching this little creation discover sights, sounds, faces and the environment around her; and develop and grow reflecting traits of mom and dad, and more delightfully, traits of her very own. Her smiles in the morning are heart-melting!

Any advice for our expectant mothers?

Enjoy the journey; soak in every moment of it—the good, the challenges and the exhaustion. They are all so sweetly rewarding and a blessing.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Motherhood is the purest expression of true love. Being a mother is a tremendous joy. My daughter inspires me to honor my passions, to derive joy and purpose in daily interactions, and to never settle for less.

 

Patricia Nobel, Assistant Manager, Production & Mom-To-Be

How many weeks pregnant are you today?

25 weeks.

How is your life different being pregnant?

It’s not about me anymore!

What has been your favorite article of clothing during pregnancy?

Maxi dress.

What are you most looking forward to as a mom?

Just the blessing of being able to be a mom, and of course all her big milestones…smiling, laughing, crawling, walking, talking, etc.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that everyone has advice. What is the best mom advice you’ve received thus far?

To enjoy the pregnancy and not to take anything for granted when she arrives. Time will fly by in the blink of an eye!

Erin Bitar, Director, Online Marketing & Mom-To-Be

How many weeks pregnant are you today?

33 weeks.

How is your life different being pregnant?

I am off alcohol and caffeine. Caffeine was the bigger change for me, but I’ve made it through it, and it hasn’t been so bad. I actually feel more balanced and calmer being pregnant, which could be due to my reduced caffeine intake.  I consider myself fortunate to have had a mild and easy pregnancy so far. I have moments where I sit back and am in absolute awe at what the female body is capable of—truly incredible. I am literally growing a human inside of me!  Wow.

What has been your favorite article of clothing during pregnancy?

Maternity pants, without pause. With my seemingly ever-expanding belly, I never would have made it through pregnancy without them. I’ve found some very comfortable and cute patterns from Gap Maternity, Motherhood Maternity and A Pea in the Pod.

What are you most looking forward to as a mom?

Snuggling! It’s my favorite pastime! Seriously though, it sounds cheesy, but I am looking forward to every moment with my son (yes, I’m having a boy!). Also, I’m looking forward to seeing my husband as a father. He is such an incredible man that I am so in love with; to see him as a father will be a new, amazing experience.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that everyone has advice. What is the best mom advice you’ve received thus far?

All new moms have told me that the first month will be crazy and that I need to brace myself for change and unpredictability. I will no longer be in control of my life, and it will be hectic. Given this, I plan to tell myself to take deep breaths, ask for help when needed, and know that I WILL get through it. AND I’m going to try and enjoy every moment because new moms also tell me that it all goes by so FAST!

Congratulations, ladies, and good luck on this incredible journey called motherhood. We have a lot of working moms here at #MuradHQ, so we want to take a moment to wish them all a very Happy Mother’s Day!

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5 Outdoor Activities To Boost Your Health and Fitness

By Darren Becket, Health and Fitness Expert, Personally Tailored Fitness

Spring is an ideal season to get in great shape — the weather is still cool, the days are long, and blossoming flowers beckon us outdoors. Studies show that time spent in nature increases brain function, promotes weight loss, reduces stress and ramps up our intake of vitamin D.

Here are five fun outdoor activities that will help you look trimmer and feel calmer and happier:

Play

Outdoor games and sports with friends or children are great reminders that fitness can be fun! Bounce on a trampoline; play volleyball; toss a Frisbee; or break out the hacky sack. The benefits of play are numerous. It increases stamina, metabolism and range of motion in joints, and it improves heart health.
Hiking

In addition to the well-known benefits of hiking, such as cardiovascular capacity and muscle strength, experiencing moments in nature that are “awe inspiring” boost the body’s immune system. Spending time in nature releases the feel-good hormones oxytocin and serotonin, which help the body’s ability to stave off disease, inflammation and depression.
Gardening

This is an activity that keeps on giving! Gardening is great for the body, mind and spirit. Digging, hoeing, trimming, pushing dirt-filled wheelbarrows and lugging plants all build strength, endurance and dexterity. Beyond the physical benefits, gardening can provide the fresh, healthy and organic produce to nourish the body. And as an added bonus, homegrown produce tastes better! Any gardener will tell you that tending the earth does wonders for the soul. It’s also another great activity to share with a friend or significant other.
Water

Bored with the gym and want a fresh way to feel inspired about fitness? Take your next workout to the water. Ocean, lake, stream, reservoir or pond — walk, peddle, rollerblade or run along the edge. You’ll feel your spirit lift, and your mind grow calm, as your thighs and tummy firm
Meditation

Overwhelmed? Feeling stressed? Finding it difficult to quiet your mind? Consider meditating outdoors. Find a peaceful, shady spot under a favorite gnarled oak or on a bench overlooking a stream or meadow. Listen. Can you hear the leaves rustling or birds chirping? Even if a car’s horn or a jet passing overhead interrupts the calm, just accept those sounds as part of the background noise. Pay attention to your breath. Before you know it, you’ll feel calmer, quieter and more at peace. That’s meditation.

Darren Becket is a health and fitness expert who loves helping people step into their potential for greatness. He works closely with clients to create unique programs to meet each individual’s needs.  Personally Tailored Fitness includes personal training, massage therapy, stress management and nutritional services.

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Skincare During Pregnancy

By Jen Harmatz, Director, National Retail Education

We recommend that you consult your physician to review any over-the-counter medications and personal care products you plan to use during pregnancy or while nursing.

Becoming pregnant can be a very special time in your life. You start planning for your new arrival—preparing the nursery, researching baby names and registering for your baby shower. So many new experiences and changes. Your body is changing, too, including your skin.

Whether you are “glowing” or not, there are a few ups and downs your skin may go through during this time.

Oily Skin and Hormonal Breakouts

With all those hormonal changes, it’s no wonder that you can suddenly develop oilier skin with continual, hormonal breakouts throughout your pregnancy. Treat hormonal breakouts with a regimen of products containing acne-fighting ingredients.

Start with gentle, targeted products to help with those breakouts. Not only will Clarifying Cleanser reduce 99% of surface bacteria in less than 1 minute, according to a Murad sponsored study, but the gentle, encapsulated Salicylic Acid will also continue to fight acne hours after rinsing!

To really purify and unclog pores, try using the clay-based Clarifying Mask 1-2 times a week. The sulfur in it will help reduce your active breakouts and fight future ones. Apply an even layer and get ready to relax for 10 minutes while the mask draws out all those impurities.

Finally, we recommend using a moisturizer with an SPF to protect more sensitive skin, such as Anti-Aging Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20.

Dry Skin

Dehydration can also show up while your body is busy nurturing a new life. You might start seeing dry patches and flaky skin. If this is your pregnancy-skin challenge, then you have to up the moisture ante!

Look for products with ingredients that are paired with humectants, conditioners and botanical oils like Avocado and Sunflower Oils, Shea Butter and Hyaluronic Acid. One of our favorites is Hydro-Dynamic® Ultimate Moisture. This super-rich moisturizer immediately quenches your skin’s thirst and leaves it feeling silky smooth. Pair it with Hydro-Dynamic® Ultimate Moisture for eyes to infuse the delicate eye area with peptides that help firm the skin. Both of these products will continue to moisturize dry skin for up to 8 hours, according to a Murad sponsored study.

Discoloration

One thing that is always important, and becomes even more so when you are pregnant, is protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. As you progress through each trimester, your skin may be more at risk for hyperpigmentation. Putting on a sunscreen packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals can help protect your skin against discoloration. Also, be sure to use products that have Vitamin C and an SPF of at least 30. Make sure the sunscreen says “broad spectrum.” This is the best defense you can have against UVA, the aging rays, and UVB, the burning rays.

Try Advanced Active Radiance® Serum as your treatment for both day and night. It helps to boost radiance and brighten the skin because it’s loaded with Vitamin C and Indian Fig. Then follow with our popular Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It contains Murad’s antioxidant defense technology MuraSol™ which is like a potent antioxidant cocktail just waiting to diffuse free radicals caused by UV damage.

As always, we recommend that you check with your doctor first to determine the best choices for you before using any new products while pregnant.

We recommend that you consult your physician to review any over-the-counter medications and personal care products you plan to use during pregnancy or while nursing.

Jen Harmatz is a seasoned makeup artist and skin specialist who has worked on the GRAMMY Awards and the Oprah Winfrey Show. She knows from experience that perfecting the “canvas” lets you put your best face forward. She has created education initiatives to empower people across multiple channels to improve their skin, life and overall well-being.

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Dr. Murad’s Recipe for Beautiful Skin

One of the foundational concepts of my approach to skincare is the simple truth that beautiful skin is healthy skin and healthy skin is beautiful. Early on in my career as a dermatologist, I realized that there were three key processes that rob skin of both health and beauty: free-radical oxidation, inflammation triggered by irritation and last but not least, dehydration. Armed with that insight, I began to experiment with different combinations of ingredients that addressed all three of these damaging processes. Eventually I perfected just the right “recipe” of antioxidants, anti-irritants and hydrators and blended it into every one of my formulas. These three classes of ingredients are now recognized as essential to maintaining skin health. Here’s what you need to know about each class.

Antixodants like pomegranate extract, vitamin C and grape seed extract help protect against possible sun damage and fight the damaging free radicals responsible for much of what we perceive as skin aging, including fine lines.
Anti-irritants, including zinc, arnica, aloe vera and goldenseal, neutralize redness and prevent inflammatory cell damage.
Hydrators such as ceramides, amino acids and essential fatty acids strengthen the skin’s barrier and help build strong cell membranes. These ingredients protect against dryness and fine lines by replenishing naturally occurring skin lipids, improving moisture retention and protecting skin from the environment.

While may other have seen the wisdom of this approach and followed in my footsteps, only Murad products contain the true Murad Recipe, which is my personal prescription for skin health.

Article by Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, a world renowned skincare expert and founder of the Inclusive Health movement. Click here to learn more about Dr. Murad.

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20 Ways to Express Gratitude for Mom

When it comes to expressing gratitude, mom should be at the top of the list. Showing our appreciation doesn’t mean having to do something difficult or buy something expensive. It can be just a little thing that lets her know how well she did raising a child who loves her.

Here, we offer 20 simple ideas for Mother’s Day — or for any day when you feel like celebrating the most important woman in your life.

Cook for her. Bake cookies, make dinner, or serve her breakfast in bed. Get recipe ideas.
Help her in the garden. Plant flowers, vegetables or just spruce up the backyard.
Sign her up for a wine-of-the-month club (or cheese, fruit or coffee).
Write her a letter. Not an email; an old-school letter. Tell her why you love her.
Treat her to a spa day. She deserves to relax and unwind.
Surprise her with a call, and tell her how much you love her.
Listen. Take a little time and really listen to your mother.
Frame a special photo. Have a favorite photo printed and frame it with love.
Offer to help organize her closet, kitchen cabinets or office.
Tell her she’s beautiful. EVERY woman loves to be told how beautiful she is.
Solve a techie problem. Help her with a smartphone or laptop issue.
Teach her some yoga poses. It can be a healthy and relaxing bonding experience for both of you.
Walk down memory lane. Recall a fond memory together.
Tell her how helpful her advice has been. Moms don’t hear this often enough.
Wash her car. Who doesn’t love a clean car?
Leave notes for her. Write little notes about all the things you appreciate about your mom and hide them around her house.
Go on an adventure. Zip-lining, whale watching or take a beautiful hike.
Take her on a picnic. Plan an outing at a favorite local spot. (Don’t let her do any of the work!)
Get everyone to come home. Make plans to have everyone come together for a special dinner or just simple family time.
Fix things in her house. This is especially helpful as our parents age and can no longer do everything themselves.

No matter what you do, do it with the unconditional love your mom deserves. Don’t overthink what she would like to have or what she needs to hear from you. Most moms will enjoy what you give them because it came from you.

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10 Things to Give Mom on Mother’s Day (Besides Flowers)

Finding the perfect gift for your mom on Mother’s Day is tough, but it’s not impossible. Flowers are one of the most popular gifts by far — and don’t get us wrong, we love flowers — but this year, if you want to think outside the bouquet, we have some gift suggestions we think mom just might love.

Make her dinner. If you’re lucky enough to have your mom nearby, prepare her favorite dish. Nothing says “I love you” like a home-cooked meal.
Get her house cleaned. Hire a cleaning service to do a thorough top-to-bottom scrub down.
Order her a subscription to a magazine. The gift that keeps on giving. Every month when the magazine arrives, she’ll think of you!
Donate to a cause she believes in. Make a contribution to a cause or charity that you know your mother supports. Make sure the donation is in her name.
Make her a succulent terrarium. These gorgeous indoor gardens are all the rage. Our recent blog post explains how to make a DIY succulent terrarium for about $20.
Treat her to Murad products. Lots to choose from here! We know she’ll love our Youth Builder® bodycare line, our new Invisiblur™ Perfecting Shield, or any of our suncare products just in time for summer. We also sell gift cards if you aren’t sure which products are right for her.
Buy her a salon blowout. Give the gift of glam. If your mom wears her hair to her shoulders or beyond, treat her to a salon blowout.
Write a letter. Not an email. Not a text. A store-bought card doesn’t count either. Find some lovely writing paper and put down in words what your mom really means to you.
Set up a movie date. When was the last time you and your mom went to a movie theater together?
Make time for her. Just spend time with mom with no expectations or deadlines. Take a walk, make some tea, hold her hand. Time is the most precious gift.

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Sustainable Eating 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Food Choices

Sustainable eating is defined as consuming food that’s healthy for your body and the environment. Most sustainable foods don’t have labels and don’t come in a box. They are foods that minimize harm to the environment during growth and production. Locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as protein from animals that are raised in a humane way, are considered sustainable foods.

Eating sustainably is much healthier for you and your family, and it’s easier than you think to put nutrient-rich, eco-friendly meals on your dinner table. Follow these five tips to make sustainable eating part of your everyday life:

Eat Locally. Purchase your produce and meats from local farmers. Most communities have farmers’ markets and local farm stands. This will reduce carbon emissions and road congestion, boost the local economy and support local farmers. And best of all, locally grown vegetables and fruits­ — harvested within hours of landing on your table — just can’t be beat for the vibrancy of their flavors.

Eat Seasonally. This goes hand-in-hand with eating locally. Buy locally grown fruits and vegetables when they’re in season. For example, eat root vegetables and hearty greens in the fall and winter; eat salads, fruit, and tomatoes in the summer.

Grow Your Own. The connection you have with the food you grow is special. Whether it’s a backyard garden or herbs in a pot on your kitchen windowsill, homegrown is as fresh and local as you can get! And again, you can’t beat the taste.

Eat More Plants, Less Meat. Cutting out meat just one day a week, and eating more fruits, veggies and whole grains, will have a positive impact on both the environment and your health.

Learn to Cook. Without basic cooking knowledge, sustainable eating will be a challenge. A little cooking experience will take you a long way toward your goals of eating fresh, unprocessed foods. Luckily, any recipe can be made sustainable, and no fancy cookbooks are required. There are tons of sustainable recipes online, and we have three easy recipes to get you started on your way to sustainable eating.

As with all transitions, take it slow. If all you do is one thing from our list, you’ll be making a difference in your health, while leaving a smaller environmental footprint.

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What is RepleniCell?

By Jeff Murad, VP of Product Development

Our defining formulation principle at Murad is the Principle of Cellular Water™. This is the idea that as we age or undergo stress or disease, the cells throughout our body lose water through damaged cell membranes. The only way to make skin as healthy and beautiful as possible is to strengthen our cell membranes and ensure that every cell has its optimal concentration of water. Only then is skin truly receptive to targeted treatments for specific skin conditions, such as acne, wrinkles or photodamage. Because of this, hydration (through the use of moisturizers in particular) is an important factor for Murad when our New Product Development team creates formulas.

Traditionally, there are only two methods to hydrate the skin topically. One method is through the use of moisturizers that use humectant ingredients, such as Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin to attract moisture from the environment. These humectant ingredients are water-soluble.

The second method is through the use of emollient oils that sit on the surface of the skin and prevent water from seeping out—a process known as Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). These emollient ingredients are oil-soluble.

As anyone who has made a vinaigrette salad dressing knows oil and water do not mix easily. Because of this, moisturizers are made in two containers. The first contains water and the water-soluble humectant ingredients, while the second contains the oils and oil-soluble emollient ingredients. Only then is an emulsifier added that allows the two sub-formulas to merge into a nice, elegant lotion or cream. Of all of these ingredients and ingredient categories I have listed, there is one that actually does nothing to keep the skin hydrated. Surprisingly, this non-hydrating ingredient (that is central to any good moisturizer) is the water itself. Without the presence of special molecules, water is unable to pass through the cell membranes in our bodies (including our skin cells). So the water in your moisturizer—the one that is the first or second ingredient (meaning it is at least 50% of your formula)—is doing nothing except solubilizing (dissolving) the humectant ingredients in the formula.

The question the New Product Development team at Murad was faced with was: how do we get that inactive 50% of the formula to become an active hydrator for the skin? To find the answer, we looked at skin biology. The cells in our bodies are actually able to move water around, but only through very specific methods. Deep within the surface of the skin, cells use special water channels known as aquaporins to move water in and out in a single file line. Closer to the surface, water molecules pair up with chaperones, known as osmolytes, that allow them to pass through cell membranes as needed. Looking at this process for inspiration, researchers at Murad discovered a unique blend of osmolytes and aquaporin stimulators we call RepleniCell®, that “activates” water to help transport and lock it into the surface layers of the skin.

Now, before we begin to manufacture any Murad moisturizer, we start with a tank loaded with water that has been pretreated with this RepleniCell® cocktail, rather than the standard water all other moisturizers begin with. Once all of the mixing is complete, we are left with a product that is not 50% active, but rather has the ability to be a full-performance hydrator for all of our skin.

 

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DIY: How to Make a Succulent Terrarium

Even for those without a green thumb, indoor succulent terrariums are easy to make, and even easier to maintain. Best of all, they look gorgeous with any décor, make great gifts and are fun projects to create with kids.

Succulent terrariums can easily be put together in under an hour. You can purchase the glass globes at nurseries, craft stores or even secondhand shops. Succulent are wildly popular right now, because they require very little water and attention, so the plants are easy to find at Home Depot, your grocery store or any garden center.

What exactly is a succulent terrarium? It’s a collection of small plants growing in a transparent container. Think of it as a miniature indoor garden. These showstoppers are a great way to bring a little green and Zen into your home.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Glass globe, vase or bowl with a large opening
Small stones and sand (you can find these at craft stores, pet stores or garden centers)
Soil
Small succulent plants (mix up the color, texture and height)
Optional accents: river rocks, seashells, beads, moss — anything goes here!

Here’s how easy it is:

Put a layer of small stones in the bottom of your globe/jar/bowl
Add a thicker layer of soil, enough so the plants can root
Arrange the succulents in your bowl and gently press down
Cover the surface with sand or small stones (or both)
Add your extra splash of decorative accents

You couldn’t ask for a more low-maintenance, high-impact plant display. These need sun, but not too much direct sunlight. About every 10 days, water just enough to moisten the soil. (Don’t get them too wet!) Indoor succulent terrariums sell between $60-$120 in high-end nurseries. But you can put one together for about $20. Have fun, get creative and impress your friends with your living masterpiece!

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