Howard Murad's Blog, page 30

Seasonal Skincare

There are certain things that we should do all year round (such as wearing sunscreen and “eating our water”) to help keep our skin protected and hydrated, but as the seasons change, so do our skincare needs.

In the short video below, I explain how our skin’s needs change with the weather:



So let’s review some of those key seasonal adjustments. A heavier moisturizer in colder weather, as I mentioned in the video, is one example. Another adjustment we can make to protect the health of our skin is to optimize our sunblock use. While I always say we should use sunblock year round, we find ourselves outside and exposed to harmful UV rays more often during the warmer months—when the sun is the strongest and most dangerous. That means we need to be extra vigilant and reapply more often spring through fall.

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.

Read some additional spring skincare tips.

The post Seasonal Skincare appeared first on Face Forward.

What is MuraSol™?

By Jeff Murad, VP of Product Development

As a company founded by a practicing dermatologist, Murad has always helped people to understand that the single best thing they can do to enjoy clear, beautiful, youthful skin is to protect it from sun damage. Shielding the skin from UV radiation does more for skin’s health and appearance than any peptide, vitamin, botanical antioxidant or special diet.

To help people get the sun protection they need, Murad has always defined the cutting edge of UV protection with innovations that have been years or decades ahead of competitive products and regulations. Murad has always used broad-spectrum sunscreen active ingredients, and it actually began validating this additional protection with international PA+++ testing standards almost a decade before the FDA officially promulgated standards to recognize products that help defend skin from the damage caused by UVA rays.

Murad also pioneered complimentary protection, infusing our sunscreens with antioxidant ingredients that stem damage by neutralizing UV-induced free radicals and ingredients that bolster the skin’s barrier function—its primary defense from all environmental aggressors, not just those caused by the sun.

We have always understood that providing this type of holistic protection is much more effective than loading a formula with enough UVB filters to give a misleadingly high SPF value. In 2013, the FDA agreed that there is no marginal benefit to SPFs higher than 50, capping the legal SPF claim for sunscreens at 50+. The fact is that an SPF 15 provides about 93% protection, while an SPF 30 provides approximately 97%, and an SPF 50 only 98%. It’s not possible to block more than 98% of UV rays with a sunscreen, no matter how high the SPF.

Understanding that we could not provide 100% protection, we began searching for a way to mitigate the damage caused by the 2-3% of damaging rays that are impossible to block. We soon realized that damage caused by the sun isn’t simply a result of ultraviolet radiation; it is also caused by the free radicals that these rays induce in the skin.

Having pioneered pure antioxidant formulas that diffuse free radicals on the skin’s surface, we began to investigate formulas to neutralize free radicals being formed deeper within the skin’s surface layer by the UV rays that cannot be blocked.

After much research and trial and error, we discovered that we could create a reservoir of antioxidants within the skin’s surface by encapsulating antioxidants in liposomes, microscopic lipid microspheres. This, in a nutshell (or in a liposome, if you will), is the key technological breakthrough behind MuraSol Antioxidant Defense.

MuraSol advanced suncare technology is now included in all Murad products with SPF (day moisturizers and sunscreens). Upon application, the liposomes penetrate deep within the skin’s surface where they release MuraSol’s proprietary cocktail of free-radical-fighting ingredients. These antioxidants lie and wait for any UV rays that get through the active sunscreen filters on the skin’s surface. As soon as a free radical is formed, it is diffused by MuraSol antioxidants.

So while we recognize that we will never be able to block 100% of the sun’s rays, we can protect the skin from the damaging free radicals those rays that do reach the skin produce.

 

Murad Flagship Store: Celebrating Five Months

A project that was years in the making, Murad’s first-ever flagship store in Los Angeles has been open for five months now, and it’s been an exciting journey for us and for our customers.

“During the last few months, I’ve enjoyed building relationships with my clients,” said Flagship Store Manager Miranda Rios. “I’ve had new clients who had never heard of Murad and some who had previously used our products before. I love being able to educate clients on Inclusive Health® and help them find the right skincare. It’s so rewarding when I receive a follow up email or they come back in the store and tell me how much they love their skin and Murad products.”

The decision to open a retail boutique was fueled by our commitment to Dr. Murad’s Inclusive Health philosophy, which is to inspire people to look, live and feel better through a whole-person approach to skincare.

“My favorite thing about working in the store is sharing Dr. Murad’s Inclusive Health system with the world,” said Murad Skin Health Specialist Dru O’Brien. “Many of our clients know his wonderful skincare but this may be their first experience with his supplements, his artwork and his insights. Whether they are just discovering Murad as a brand or a loyal fan of our company, it’s always fun to see the experience of Inclusive Health affect clients in positive and inspiring ways.”

For a peek inside the store, check out this video highlighting the VIP grand opening party.



We also put together this cool construction time-lapse video.

The innovative services and activities customers can enjoy at #MuradFlagship include:

Complimentary Express Services

Guided skincare applications are the perfect way to learn how to apply our products and to experience the transformative power of a targeted Murad regimen.

YouthCam Consultation

Murad’s YouthCam reveals your skin’s past, measuring fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and inflammation to create a custom regimen to help you change your skin’s future.

Interactive Art Wall

Our unique art wall allows you to create your own masterpiece and share it with your friends and family through links to popular social media platforms.

Flagship Store Assistant Manager Vellany Von Slomski said the store’s location is perfect for meeting new people. “I love that so many of our clients are also our neighbors! It has been really fun to have our clients pop into the store to say hi while they walk their dogs, and bring in their friends to show them the store on their way to Sunday brunch.”

If you haven’t stopped by the store yet, we’d love to meet you. Come visit us for all your skincare needs and walk away inspired to look, live and feel #BetterEveryDay.

Murad Store

8207 W. 3rd Street

Los Angeles, CA 90048

Phone: 323.413.2350

 

Meet Jeremy Casebeer, Pro Beach Volleyball Player

If you don’t follow pro beach volleyball and aren’t familiar with Jeremy Casebeer, then we are excited to introduce him to you. The pro athlete and world traveler is a big fan of our products, and he embraces Dr. Murad’s Inclusive Health® philosophy. Jeremy lives life to its fullest, gives back to his community and shares how he looks, lives and feels #BetterEveryDay.

Jeremy grew up in Santa Barbara and started playing volleyball in high school. From there, he got a scholarship to play at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) under legendary coach Al Scates. Jeremy proved to be a standout player, and he made his pro beach volleyball debut when he was just 19 years old.

Besides his obvious skills on the sandy volleyball court, there’s something else everyone notices about Jeremy right away — his two-toned mustache. It’s the result of a severe sunburn he got years ago. “My junior year of high school, while snowboarding with friends for three days straight, I failed to apply sunscreen and got a wicked sunburn that boiled and eventually popped, causing a skin condition called vitiligo,” he explains. “The trauma from the sunburn caused the vitiligo, and literally burned the pigment off my face. It just happened to be very symmetrical on my lip, right down the middle.”

After that incident, Jeremy never leaves the house without his sunscreen. And his sunscreen of choice is Murad. With so many sunscreens to choose from, we wanted to know what drew Jeremy to the Murad brand. He says it’s the quality of the product, coupled with Dr. Murad’s reputation. “As a dermatologist and pharmacist, he knows what works and what doesn’t. He’s truly a skincare pioneer, and he’s got science on his side. I like that Dr. Murad looks to nature to find skincare solutions, and his Inclusive Health® philosophy really resonates with me.”

Jeremy’s favorite products are Murad’s Oil Free Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for daily application and the entire Environmental Shield® line for cleansing, treating sun damage and sun protection.

Jeremy graduated from UCLA with degrees in Political Science and Environmental Studies, and he feels very passionate about protecting the environment, especially in his own backyard. He’s involved in his local community through Keep Hermosa Hermosa (KHH), a grassroots movement whose mission is to keep Hermosa Beach, California, clean, green and safe by maintaining the city’s ban on oil drilling adopted by voters back in 1932.

Jeremy loves to travel, so it’s a good thing he gets to do a lot of it as a pro beach volleyball player. In fact, he jokingly calls himself a “professional beach bum.” He tells us this about his life jet-setting all over the world. “I love to surf, hike, camp, read, go to concerts, eat delicious food and try new things. To me, a great day consists of good people, good cuisine, and most importantly, good vibes.”

Thanks, Jeremy, for taking the time to chat with us, and for supporting the Murad brand. Good luck out there on the beach volleyball court. We’ll be cheering you on this season.

Healthy Ways to Boost Your Morning Energy

Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. By eating a healthy breakfast – preferably featuring eggs (one of nature’s perfect embryonic foods) and/or fresh fruit, you can kick your morning off to a good start and fuel your body for the day ahead. A very common part of the average American breakfast is a blast of caffeine delivered by a cup of coffee.

Caffeine is actually very good for memory, boosting energy, detoxifying the body and building stamina. However, like most things, moderation is key. Too much caffeine can lead to restlessness, irritability, anxiety and even an increase in blood pressure.

Coffee in reasonable amounts is great, especially if you love it. But if you don’t do well with big doses of caffeine, here are five alternatives to coffee that will still give youa morning energy boost.

Ginkgo Biloba is an herbal extract that comes from the nut of the ginkgo biloba tree. Ginkgo biloba can be taken as a capsule or in tea form. It was used for centuries in Chinese medicine. The ginkgo biloba works as a vasodilator, which increases blood flow to the brain causing you to feel more awake and energized.
Ginseng is extracted from the ginseng root. Like ginkgo biloba, ginseng increases blood flow to the brain and gives the body a stimulating effect, similar to coffee. Ginseng can be taken in capsule form or in tea.
Green Tea is described as a “calmer” form of energy, compared to coffee. Green tea is extremely good for your health. It helps boost metabolism and provides you with plenty of antioxidants and vitamins.
Yerba Mate is another herbal extract and is full of antioxidants and vitamins. The antioxidants and vitamins provide you with long lasting natural energy and none of the crashes that you may experience with coffee.
Vitamin B12 is an excellent pick-me-up for when you first wake up in the morning. Drink a glass of water with the recommended amount of B12 drops in it (check the bottle for appropriate dosage). The B12 will naturally enhance your energy and mental clarity.

Have you tried any of these alternatives? Let me know in the comments below.

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.

Volunteering 101

Many people want to volunteer, but they’re not sure where to start. Giving back and performing random acts of kindness are part of our culture here at Murad; whatever you can do to make a difference.

Here are a few things to think about before you start volunteering:

Consider why you want to volunteer. Do you want to help the world or your community? Do you want to share your unique gifts or be of service? Think about these questions to define a goal and choose the right direction for your volunteer work.

Find an organization that is meaningful to you. Choose an opportunity that you’re passionate about. If working at a soup kitchen isn’t your thing, consider volunteering at a hospital, a senior center or an animal shelter. What speaks to you?

Utilize your skills. For many people, their volunteer work is compatible with their interests and skill set. Do you love working with children? Do you have a talent you can teach others? Are you handy? Organizations need all sorts of skills.

Here are 10 suggestions for volunteer opportunities:

Homeless Shelters – Help with meals, job training and other services.
Food Banks – Donate and distribute food to those in need.
Animals Shelters – Help take care of animals, keep facilities clean and work with the public.
Hospitals – Read, participate in arts and crafts, play games—any activity where you are interacting with patients.
Senior Citizen Centers – Help with community activities, birthday celebrations and teaching basic computer skills.
Political Campaigns – Pick a candidate whose ideas you believe in and volunteer to be a part of his or her campaign.
Environmental Organizations – Participate in tree planting, litter clean-up and recycling programs.
Literacy Programs – Help kids and adults learn how to read.
Veteran Support – Help with job search assistance, housing, meals and sending care packages.
Donations – Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to help is donate clothing and items you no longer need. Drop off new or gently used clothes, shoes, toys, books and housewares to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Of course there are endless volunteer opportunities out there. Do some research online, and you might be surprised at what opporunities exist right in your commnity. And remember, don’t get overwhelmed and start small. If you have a busy schedule, volunteer your time for an hour a week or even just one day per month. Every little bit makes a difference.

There are few activities more rewarding than volunteering and giving back to your community. To help inspire each other, Murad employees have taken to social media to share the various ways we make it #BetterEveryDay. We hope you’ll chime in too.

10 Skin Cancer and Sun Facts

The weather is heating up and summer is just around the corner, which means that sun protection is more important than ever. A sunburn here and a sunburn there may not seem like a big deal, but even as few as five bad sunburns in your life can greatly increase you risk for skin cancer. Get the facts on skin cancer and the sun to make sure your skin is protected this summer.

Check out the American Academy of Dermatology’s top 10 skin cancer and sun facts:

Most skin cancers are related to sun exposure, which is preventable, yet skin cancer rates continue to climb.
“Broad-spectrum protection” protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Most dermatologists agree SPF 30 is sufficient, based on the total amount of solar energy released on a typical summer day.
The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you, seek shade.
If you notice any spots changing, growing or bleeding on your skin, see a dermatologist.
Even on a cloudy day, 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can reach your skin.
If your skin blisters after a sunburn, you have a second-degree burn.
UV rays can cause premature aging of skin and skin cancer.
Melanin is the pigment that “tans” your skin, but it is produced by the skin in response to sun damage.
By the time your skin gets red (burned) or darker, it has already been damaged.
Use of indoor tanning (tanning beds) before the age of 35 has been associated with a significant increase in the risk of melanoma.

To detect melanomas, it’s recommended to learn what they look like. Learn the ABCDEs of melanoma and follow the five “S’s of sun sense.” Check out our handy sun safety checklist and our SPF infographic below with important skin cancer statistics to ensure you are in the know and up to date on sun-safety information.

Learn how Murad and the American Academy of Dermatology are teaming up to help Shade America™.

7 Simple Ways to Eat More Veggies

By Jill Neil, Murad Working Parent

Mom confession: My kids eat healthier than I do.

First of all, I’m very lucky to have preschool-aged kids that eat at all. Secondly, they love fruit and veggies more than anything. In fact, they could eat them all day. If I ate as many fresh fruits and veggies as they do, I would undoubtedly be healthier inside and out. So why don’t I?

Like many busy moms, time and stress are the biggest culprits for my unhealthy eating choices. In the morning when I’m scrambling to get everyone ready and out the door on time, it’s much easier to grab a frozen entrée for lunch than to prepare a fresh salad. In the evening, after a hectic workday, a 40-minute commute in traffic with hungry kids and a mad dash to pull together a healthy meal for them before they start filling up on snacks, I’m exhausted. At that point, I start snacking on their cheese quesadillas, instead of the sides of fresh tomato and avocado they are scarfing down.

When I’m stressed, I crave carbs, cheese, sugar and salt. (Don’t we all?) So I give myself permission to eat those things because: it was a tough day, I was in a hurry or there wasn’t anything else to eat. And it feels so good in the moment. But later, I’m stressed again because of what I ate. And the vicious cycle continues.

So this spring I’m making a conscious effort to eat more fresh veggies.

We all know the benefits of eating more water-rich fruits and vegetables, but for some reason it’s easier said than done. Especially when Dr. Murad recommends at least 3 servings of fruit and at least 5 servings of vegetables a day – that can seem like a lot!

To make it easier, I’ve created a list of 7 simple ways to add more fresh veggies and fruit to your diet:

Mix it in. Craving pasta? Fine, but mix in fresh veggies so you fill up on those instead of carbs. [Busy mom tip: Trader Joe’s sells containers of fresh, mixed veggies that are already chopped, making it super easy to just add them to your pasta sauce as it’s cooking. Or use a food processor to chop them up really fine if you need to hide them in pasta sauce for picky eaters.]
Just add green. To your entrée, that is. Serve your rice bowl on a bed of mixed greens. Top your pizza with fresh arugula. Add spinach to your eggs. Not only are you adding nutrients, but also a pop of green will make these everyday dishes instantly look more sophisticated.
Mix it up. Avoid buying the same fruits and veggies each grocery trip. Rotate your favorites and add something new or special to the mix every week, so you don’t get bored. Take a family trip to the farmers’ market and let each family member select a fruit or veggie to try. Or sign up for a produce delivery service so a fresh new variety arrives right on your doorstep each week.
Be prepared. Dedicate time each week to prep work. Wash and cut fresh fruits and veggies so they are in ready-to-eat or ready-to-pack mode. Keep your fridge stocked, and make it as convenient as possible to eat them.
Start fresh. Make it a habit to eat your veggies first. Is your family searching for snacks while dinner is cooking? Put a colorful plate of fresh veggies and hummus on the table for everyone to nibble on. Frozen entrée for lunch at your desk again? Start with raw carrots and cherry tomatoes before digging in.
Eat like your kids are watching. Make the same healthy food choices for yourself as you make for your kids. Have cucumber slices with that sandwich instead of chips. Eat a bowl of fresh berries for dessert instead of ice cream. Spread avocado on your toast instead of butter.
Go big. A large salad for lunch or dinner can easily contain 3-4 servings of fresh veggies (and fruit) in one meal. Grilling tonight? Have veggie kabobs as your main dish and a lean protein on the side. Who said vegetables can’t take center stage?

For more ideas on how to eat more veggies, including a meal plan, check out Dr. Murad’s newest book, “Conquering Cultural Stress.”

How do you and your family incorporate more vegetables in your diet? Share your tips in the comments below.

The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer and Preventative Measures

It’s getting warmer outside, and that means one very important thing when it comes to your skin: sunscreen. Without proper protection, exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer. Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers, but it can be extremely dangerous if it’s not found in the early stages. To detect melanomas (and increase survival rate) it’s recommended to learn what they look like.

Know the ABCDEs of Melanoma

A: Asymmetry - One half unlike the other half
B: Border- Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border
C: Color – Varied from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue
D: Diameter – While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller
E: Evolving – A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color

Another informative tool is something called the five “S’s of Sun Sense” to keep you protected from the sun’s potentially harmful UV rays.

Follow the five “S’s of Sun Sense:” Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide

Slip: on clothing to keep your body protected
Slop: on sunscreen to all exposed areas of the body, except the mouth and eyes
Slap: on a hat to keep your scalp, neck and top of your head protected
Seek: the shade between 10am and 4pm when the sun is at its strongest
Slide: on protective eyewear to keep your eyes sun-safe

Getting skin cancer is the worst case scenario. But too much sun exposure can also lead to wrinkles, age spots and dry skin. Prevention is key! If you’re looking for a solution, check out Murad’s Age Proof Suncare products. We also offer a variety of sun protection skin care resources, so you can have healthy, glowing skin that’s #BetterEveryDay.

 

 

Sun Safety Checklist

As temperatures heat up outside, Murad and the American Academy of Dermatology are working together to keep you safe in the sun. We’ve developed this handy Sun Safety Checklist to help you stay protected – so you can look, live and feel #BetterEveryDay.

Here at Murad, sun safety is always part of our daily routine. Wearing sunscreen not only decreases your risk of getting skin cancer; it also helps fight premature aging, dark spots and age spots. To safeguard your skin’s health, check out Murad’s sunscreens, eye creams and daytime moisturizers