Howard Murad's Blog, page 3
August 28, 2017
How to Treat Dark Circles
We all know that feeling. We had a late night — much later than expected — and after blindly flailing our closest limb towards the snooze button, we drag our tired selves into the bathroom. After a splash of water to the face, we raise our eyes to the mirror and blink a few times, wondering if those puffy, dark circles have always been there.
Our skin is the most predominant (and public) display of our habits, lifestyle and health. When we disobey our body’s plea for more sleep, it fights back in the form of a foggy mind, tired eyes, and a spike in our caffeine requirements.
There is nothing worse than starting your day feeling like those annoying dark circles are acting as a beacon of your fatigue. In this sobering moment, the question becomes this: how can we remedy the daily appearance of dark circles? What are the must-have products we should keep stocked when we’re running on empty? After all, caring for our eyes is important, and we’re all looking for the holy grail to help us do exactly that.
Click to Shop: Retinol Youth Renewal Eye SerumFirst things first, start with our new Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum, which quickly and visibly minimizes lines and deep wrinkles, firms, evens skin tone and boosts radiance for more vibrant, youthful skin. Behind this powerful serum is Retinol Tri-Active Technology, which leverages three advancements in retinol science: a fast-acting retinoid, a time-released retinol and a retinol booster. The result? In a Murad-sponsored study, 93% of users reported a reduction in lines and wrinkles in just 2 weeks!
For an even more potent treatment, add a thin layer of our fan-favorite Renewing Eye Cream: a multi-active, anti-aging treatment for the eye area that firms, brightens, and hydrates to minimize the appearance of aging, puffiness and dark circles. This breakthrough formula quickly increases elasticity and firmness while working on crow’s feet, wrinkles and sagging. Formulated without sulfates, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, phthalates, BMOs and Triclosan, this eye cream is a heavy-hitting, triple benefit treatment that uses our trademark Eye Brightening Complex to reduce dark circles and illuminate the under-eye area.
Combine this with the daily application of a little Vitamin-C serum and you’ll have that glowing, dewy skin look conquered – no highlighter needed!
Dark circles are most commonly caused by fatigue; however, they can also be a result of allergies, eczema, heredity, pigmentation irregularities, sun exposure or the effects of aging as your skin thins and loses its natural fat and collagen, making the hollowed or puffy appearance and vessels under your eyes more obvious. With that said, take note of any changes in the appearance of your eye area to ensure your dark circles aren’t a sign of an underlying issue.
With the right product regime at your disposal in combination with a healthy — and more importantly balanced — lifestyle, you can bid that dreaded, groan-inducing morning regime of under-eye cover-up goodbye (finally!).
The post How to Treat Dark Circles appeared first on Murad Blog.
August 22, 2017
Ready for a Brand New Look?
As a brand committed to evolutionary first, Murad is excited to unveil the brand’s latest update. But don’t worry – we’re not changing any of your must-have products. We’re simply revealing a brand new, bolder, more colorful side of Murad with all new packaging.
Although our packaging may be evolving, our unique philosophy will stay the same. And our goal is to help our customers achieve radiant skin and maintain a healthy lifestyle inside and out.
Dr. Howard Murad
The bold, vibrant color mirror our brand heritage of living a positive life for beautiful skin. And, they’re a subtle nod to Dr. Murad’s passion for Art Therapy. Just like efficacious skincare, supplements, and positive lifestyle practices, Dr. Murad incorporates art into his Connected Beauty philosophy and mission that radiant skin is preserved from the inside out.
Ever wonder which product is just right for you? We’ve put the benefits front and center. It’s easier than ever to select a Murad product to clear skin, target age spots, brighten…and beyond.
While we’re celebrating this exciting change, our core DNA remains the same. For 28 years, Murad has established a legacy for evolving ahead of the curve of consumer demand. A pioneer in cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals, Murad’s high performance clinical skincare products and services deliver results that speak for themselves.
Watch for Murad to reveal its new look across all our social feeds. Double tap to tell us you love it!
The post Ready for a Brand New Look? appeared first on Murad Blog.
August 17, 2017
What is Retinol?
As we celebrate the launches of our two latest Retinol products, I reflect back upon many of the questions I have received over the years. One of the subjects I hear inquiries about a great deal of the time is retinol: a skincare ingredient that is incredibly beneficial and often misunderstood.
A Brief History
Retinol is a form of vitamin A.
As a commercial skincare ingredient, retinol was initially used to help treat acne, blackheads and dead cell buildup in pores, but early on we discovered that it also had some useful properties in terms of helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
The Difference Between Retinol and ReTin-A
Retinol and Retin-A are both part of a group of compounds in the vitamin A family known as retinoids. Retin-A is a prescription form of vitamin A that has been shown to reduce fine lines, smooth skin texture and help normalize pigmentation. You can get a prescription from your dermatologist for Retin-A and may quickly see results. It’s “cousin,” Retinol, is available in over-the-counter skincare formulations. Retinol may take longer to achieve results compared to Retin-A, but some find it less irritating.
When to Use Retinol
Retinol causes some photosensitivity in skin. That’s why it should be used at night, followed by sun protection the next day. Recommended frequency of use varies by skin type and the amount of retinol in the product being used. It’s a good idea to ask your dermatologist if retinol based products are right for you and if so, how often to use them. Basic guidance for starting a product with prescription Retin-A or over-the-counter retinol is to begin using the product every other night and, if it is well tolerated, work up to a nightly routine.
Sensitivity
While retinol works wonders for many, it is certainly not for everyone. For example, people with rosacea or eczema are not good candidates for retinoids because retinoids exfoliate your skin and may cause it to become sensitive. Your skin may peel, flake, turn red and become dry during initial use. It is key to use small amounts as you introduce it into your night routine. If your skin builds up a tolerance to retinoids and is not showing any signs of sensitivity, add a gentle face scrub a few times a week to your routine in order to clear the top layer of old skin.
Natural Sources of “Edible Retinol”
Some dietary sources of vitamin A can provide you with an internal path to many of the benefits you can receive from topical retinoids. Each of the following contains at least 0.15 mg of retinoids per 1.75–7 oz (50–198 g):
Cod liver oil
Butter, Margarine
Eggs
Cheese
Milk
Article by Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, a world renowned skincare expert and founder of the Inclusive Health movement.
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Shop Retinol Skincare
Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
$82.00
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Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
$85.00
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The post What is Retinol? appeared first on Murad Blog.
August 8, 2017
Five Products Changing the Face of Skincare
Over the past 28 years, Murad has established a legacy for evolving ahead of the curve of consumer demand. Since our first skincare product introduction in 1989, the Murad brand has been grounded on the foundation of clinical efficacy and has a rich heritage of paving the way for skincare innovation.
In celebration of our brand-new look, join us as we celebrate the Murad products that have continued to push the industry to new heights!
Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
Looking for something to help with dark spots, texture and uneven skin tone? Check, check, and check! This fast-acting treatment fades and prevents future pigmentation of dark spots, age spots and freckles while revealing a clearer, smoother and brighter complexion.
How It Works: Professional-grade Glycolic Acid, an Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane, exfoliates by loosening the bonds that bind dulling dead cells to skin’s surface. Paired with pigment-lightening Hydroquinone (2.0%), this formula rapidly decreases the appearance of dark spots on the skin.
Why We Love It: 85% of users saw spots lighten just in 1 week. *
Reviews Say: “After using this product I’ve noticed how much my skin tone has evened out. I swear by this serum. This is one of my must have Murad products!” – Heather8
Shop: Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum, $65
Invisiblur Perfecting Shield
What’s our secret for a flawless makeup application? We’re all about that base! This invisible skin perfecting shield has all the benefits of an advanced treatment, makeup primer and 100% invisible SPF protection to immediately blur, protect and perfect while diminishing signs of aging. If you’re ready to lose the layers with one do-it-all moisturizer, get ready to meet your match!
How It Works: Extracts from Barley, Sunflower and Cucumber enhance the skin’s ability to retain moisture while Mushroom Peptides restore firmness, elasticity and skin resilience. Invisiblur also contains our exclusive Soft-Focus Complex, which creates an ideal canvas for makeup by smoothing skin and blurring imperfections. For a flawless makeup application, use a large, fluffy brush to lightly press it over your foundation in oil-prone areas for a flawless, powder-free touch-up.
Why We Love It: 94% saw improved smoothness and texture, while 71% saw fewer fine lines and wrinkles.*
Reviews Say: “I love how this product makes my skin feel, it glides on and creates a smooth surface perfect for the application of foundation. It has a unique consistency and makes my skin feel silky smooth. The blur feature is wonderful as well, and a small amount goes a long way.” – KW
Shop: Invisiblur Perfecting Shield, $65
Clarifying Cleanser
Saying goodbye is tough… that is, unless we’re talking about acne. Send those pimples packing with this powerful daily gel cleanser built to battle acne and future blemishes. The unique technology behind this game-changing formula washes away pore-clogging grime, oil and irritants for clear, beautiful skin. Breakouts, we can’t say we’ll miss you!
How It Works: Encapsulated Salicylic Acid (1.5%) continually releases acne treatment for hours, even after rinsing, while Green Tea extract to this formula to calm and soothe red, inflamed and irritated skin.
Why We Love It: Not only does this formula help reduce blemishes and breakouts, but the inclusion of our time-released medication keeps future breakouts from popping up down the road, even after rinsing. Try it on your face or body for clear skin from head to toe!
Reviews Say: “This cleanser has made such a huge difference for me. After just 4 days of using this cleanser each morning and night, my face has cleared of almost all blemishes! Amazing!” – Geekait
Shop: Clarifying Cleanser, $30
Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Getting older may be a part of life, but looking older? Not so much. This potent, yet gentle, serum uses our Retinol Tri-Active Technology to quickly and visibly firm your skin, even its tone, boost radiance and minimize both fine lines and deep wrinkles. The result: more vibrant, youthful-looking skin.
How It Works: Our groundbreaking Retinol Tri-Active Technology uses a fast-acting Retinoid, time-released Retinol and a Retinol booster to quickly and visibly minimize lines and deep wrinkles, even skin tone and boost radiance.
Why We Love It: 93% of users saw a reduction in lines and wrinkles and 98% noticed smoother skin.*
Reviews Say: “I have been using this product consistently for 5 months and have been very pleased with the results. It delivers on what it says it will do. My skin is much smoother and clearer looking. I have reduced the amount of makeup I wear as I feel I don’t need it to cover imperfections.” – Weebs07
Shop: Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, $88
Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture
On the journey for suppler skin, all roads lead back to hydration. Take a shortcut to a youthful looking comlexion with this velvety and luxurious cream, which provides 24-hour hydration to restore suppleness and visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. (Tip: Combine with Hydro-Dynamic® Quenching Essence for 5x the hydrating power!*)
How It Works: Our advanced Hyaluronic Acid technology improves the skin’s ability to attract and retain water for long-lasting deep hydration. Shea Butter, Avocado, Sunflower and Olive Fruit Oils also contribute to this formula, restoring suppleness and supporting the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Why We Love It: Not only does this formula lock in moisture levels for 24 hours, but 92% of users reported fine lines and wrinkles appeared less visible.*
Reviews Say: “Ultimate Moisture — just what it states. With my dry skin, I feel so hydrated when I use this in the evening. Not greasy, it is just easily absorbed in my skin. With just a bit of the product, it goes a long way.” – Ninasbz
Shop: Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture, $75
* Results from a Murad Sponsored Study. Individual results may vary.
The post Five Products Changing the Face of Skincare appeared first on Murad Blog.
Connected Beauty Explained
What does your lifestyle have to do with your skin? Everything. At Murad, we understand your skin is connected to every organ in your body. What you eat, drink, think about, and do impacts how healthy your skin can be—and how healthy you can feel. This inspires our philosophy that we call Connected Beauty.
Connected Beauty is where cutting-edge product formulations connect with positive physical and mental lifestyle practices plus professional treatment for beautiful skin.
Think of it like this: Goji Berries are antioxidant powerhouses full of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential in collagen synthesis—the process that keeps our skin firm and plump. So, eating Goji Berries gives your body the tools it needs to support healthy collagen synthesis. (Simply put, you really are what you eat.)
Our revolutionary Connected Beauty philosophy began with Dr. Howard Murad, a board-certified Dermatologist and pharmacist as interested in our overall well-being as our skin. In fact, Dr. Murad first question asked in his dermatology practice still differentiates us today: “Who are you at your core?” This approach is how we’ve preserved youthful skin from the inside out for 28 years.
In addition to an award-winning collection of efficacious products, Murad developed a system of dietary supplements to support skin health from the inside out. Where internal and external skincare meet, you’ll find Murad—the leading dermatologist brand founded on the principle that skincare is healthcare.
Ready for true beauty, health and well-being from the inside out? Adopt these healthy habits for your most beautiful, healthy-looking skin.
Nourish your skin by using clinical skincare to help strengthen, protect, and lock in hydration.
Eat your water by consuming a balanced diet centered on nutritious, water-rich foods to fortify cellular hydration.
Awaken your body by building water-rich muscle that holds optimal hydration.
Be kind to your mind by managing the stress of modern living to help your cells stay hydrated and resistant to damage.
Ready to nourish your skin with Murad? Click here to reveal the perfect skincare regimen to compliment your healthy lifestyle.
The post Connected Beauty Explained appeared first on Murad Blog.
connected beauty explained
The post connected beauty explained appeared first on Murad Blog.
August 7, 2017
Spotlight Ingredient: Retinol
This month, we want to highlight one core ingredient for skincare and that’s retinol. We sat down with Doctor Murad for a quick Q&A to learn a bit more and ask why he has selected retinol as the spotlight ingredient for August.
What exactly is retinol and what is it used for?
Retinol is a pure form of Vitamin A. Your skin uses Vitamin A naturally in its regeneration and repair cycle. It is most commonly used in skincare for two things: reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fighting acne.
This potent ingredient provides its anti-aging benefits by stimulating cellular turnover and bringing new, healthy cells to the skin’s surface for a more youthful appearance.
And now for the science: retinol plays a vital role in epidermal renewal and keratin synthesis, and contributes to the strength of collagen and elastin proteins. This means that as we age, our keratin proteins become less compact and more dehydrated; retinol helps to bring back the elasticity and compact nature of these proteins. It is because of its proven renewing power that retinol is recognized as the gold standard anti-aging ingredient.
Retinol is also a powerful ingredient when it comes to acne, helping to reduce outbreaks by preventing dead cells from clogging pores (normalizing the stratum corneum and reducing the overproduction of sebum).
What’s different about Murad’s Retinol?
Many retinol formulas rely on a single form of retinol and may take several weeks to deliver results and cause irritation. Retinol is not stable and this makes it a more difficult ingredient to work with.
Our range of retinol products overcome these traditional drawbacks with its breakthrough Retinol Tri-Active Technology (a fast-acting Retinoid, time-released Retinol and a booster) that optimizes performance to quickly deliver visible results with minimized side effects. These results include a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and dramatic improvements in texture, tone and radiance. On top of this, all of our products include anti-inflammatories, antioxidants and hydrators.
Do you have any products with this ingredient that you would recommend to your patients?
Yes. Retinol is well-known as the gold standard for anti-aging ingredients, that’s why my patients ask for it frequently. However, I saw a significant need for a new product that worked more quickly and didn’t cause irritation and dryness.
After years of research and development, I’m proud to say we have finally perfected the science with our revolutionary line of Retinol products:. Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, Eye Serum, and Night Cream.
What’s exciting about this revolutionary new product range is that it gets to work quickly and without any of the irritation of traditional retinol formulas. It really does activate your youth!
Is there any recent retinol news?
Yes. New scientific studies suggest that retinol may encourage vascularization in the dermis. This means more collagen production. When it comes to aging, retinol has three clear benefits: it helps to keep your cells compact, it aids in cell renewal and potentially encourages the production of collagen. I would say that is exciting news!
Shop Retinol Skincare
Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
$82.00
Shop Now
Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
$85.00
Shop Now
The post Spotlight Ingredient: Retinol appeared first on Murad Blog.
August 2, 2017
Retinol Tri-Active Technology is Transforming Skincare
We’re doubling down on Retinol: the star ingredient in our two most highly anticipated launches this summer, Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum and Night Cream.
Retinol is considered the gold standard for anti-aging products, and for good reason. It dramatically improves all key signs of aging, minimizing the look of wrinkles and crow’s feet while lifting and firming skin. But the benefits go beyond anti-aging: it visibly brightens dark circles, reduces dullness and even helps to fight acne!
What is Retinol?
“Retinoid” is the overarching term for all forms of Vitamin A. And no matter what kind of Vitamin A it is, Retinoids break down to retinoic acid in the skin. Think of it like candy — there are all different kinds of candy, but they all turn into to sugar in the body.
Since they work from the bottom up, Retinoids aren’t your typical exfoliants. Instead of sloughing away the buildup on your skin’s surface (like some of our other beloved scrubs and chemical peels), Retinol increases cell production within the stratum basale layer, which in turn stimulates the cell turnover cycle on the upper layers. As a result, it renews our skin and keeps impurities at bay.
Going Beyond Traditional Retinol
We’ve transformed the incredible science of Retinol into an art with our proprietary Tri-Active Technology. What makes our formula different is that we don’t rely on one single concentration of Retinol. Instead, our Retinol Tri-Active Technology is a blend of 3 advanced Retinols designed to maximize results with minimized side effects.
So, how does it work? Without getting too scientific, Retinoids have to morph into the correct shape in order to fit into your skin’s receptors. By varying the shape of our retinoids, we can create consistent flow of Retinol in doses that are gentler on the skin.
Our Tri-Active Retinol Technology is one of the formulas we’ve been most proud of, because our “Retinol at Any Age” belief is so much more than just a tag line. No matter what changes are happening to your skin, there’s going to be a significant benefit for your complexion.
Retinol Tri-Active Technology Explained
As mentioned, staggering Retinoid sizes can help the skin control how much Retinol it gets and when. This is because it takes time for Retinoids to break down into a shape useable for the skin’s receptors.
Take for instance Retinyl Propionate– this form has a lipid tail. And before it can fit into the receptor, it needs to have its lipid tail cleaved off by an enzyme. Since it takes time for the skin to break down and drop that lipid tail, this specific type has a delayed delivery.
Working alongside this time-released component is a fast-acting retinol that is tail-free and immediately bioavailable on the skin. Since it is gentler than many other forms of Vitamin A, this is an important feature for people who have experienced sensitivities from harsher formulas.
Tying both of these Retinols together is the Retinol Booster, which essentially opens a pathway for the retinoid and retinol to get to where they need to be.
Product Application
Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
For use every night.
Dispense a small amount onto ring finger and pat gently with the opposite ring finger to evenly distribute product.
Pat along orbital bone.
Massage in a circular motion.
Gently pat around eye area.
Follow with Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream.
Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
For use every night.
Thoroughly cleanse skin and pat dry.
Apply Retinol Youth Renewal Serum or recommended treatment product.
Apply Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum or recommended eye treatment product.
Press to dispense a precise amount of Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream.
Massage evenly to face, neck and chest, using sweeping upward movements.
Shop this story
Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
$82.00
Shop Now
Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum
$85.00
Shop Now
The post Retinol Tri-Active Technology is Transforming Skincare appeared first on Murad Blog.
