I consider myself somewhat of an aficionado of skincare for acne prone skin. I think I have tried nearly every acne targeted skincare line on the market, both natural and clinical. Some have worked very well and others failed so sensationally that the only joy was the satisfying clink as they hit the bottom of the trash can. The key to understanding acne treatment is that, for the majority of suffers, the problem is coming from the inside not the outside. Yes there are fantastic products that will help with pimples caused from clogged pores and the overproduction of sebum or help speed up the healing process, but consumers should be wary of “cure all” products that claim to eradicate all moderate to severe acne.
Murad’s approach to acne treatment skincare is to focus on maintaining balanced hydration, reducing inflammation and optimizing the skin’s natural defences with antioxidants. A couple of months ago I was sent some products to review, and after giving them their due trial I have discovered some nice products. Important to note when you are testing any skincare products that you typically need 6 weeks to see how they will react with your skin and what results you will achieve. Sometimes skin goes through a purge in the first couple of weeks, but if after six weeks it doesn’t work, move on.
Murad Daily Cleansing Foam
I am a fan of double cleansing after a day of sporting makeup and being exposed to the elements: one cleanse to get rid of makeup and another cleanse to treat my skin. This products is really nice for my first fast cleanse of the evening because it works its way deep in to the pores and leaves me with a clean slate without stripping my skin of all moisture. A good overall standard cleanser and it works up a healthy lather.
Grade: B+
Murad Clarifying Cleanser
This gel cleanser is so refreshing! The active ingredient is 1.5% salicylic acid, which is fantastic for people like me who can’t use benzoyl peroxide (ironically it makes my acne more inflamed and takes longer to heal). It doesn’t foam or sud up too much, so it is more gentle than the Daily Cleansing Foam. It has a refreshing light citrus scent and a pleasant cooling sensation on the skin. After using this cleanser I found my skin to have more clarity and noticed less inflammation of full blown pimples.
Grade: B+
Murad Skin Perfection Lotion
A bit of a lightweight hybrid product, it hydrates and while minimizing pores and controlling oil production. Retinol gently renews skin while arnica helps manage redness, together providing a more balanced texture. I used this fast absorbing product twice a day and didn’t experience any drying or irritation from the retinol. It works well under makeup and I did notice a shrinking of pore size in my t-zone. In the evenings I added another layer of my favourite moisturizer for extra hydration while I slept. If you have combination skin like I do, you may want more moisture in your dry areas. I did use this product in conjunction with the Clinique Acne Solutions Gel because it didn’t quite reduce active breakouts as quickly as I hoped. I would recommend this product for people with mild acne or who have monthly hormonal breakouts.
Grade: B
Murad Clarifying Mask
This is the most intense of the products I tested and is ideal for people with oily skin. If you have dry skin, you definitely want to steer clear. I used this mask once a week and I honestly saw a difference in the mornings in the size of breakouts and the clarity of my complexion. The 4% sulphur draws out impurities and kills bacteria deep beneath the surface. As with all clay masks, it is quite thick, applies opaque and dries to hard texture. Facially mobility is reduced with this on, so slap it on when you are watching television or enjoying some pre-bedtime reading. You really don’t need to keep it on longer than 15 minutes because it may be too drying. It also works wonders as an overnight spot treatment for those particularly gnarly zits that need a good dry out. Be sure to give your skin a healthy dose of moisturizer afterwards as some minor flaking may occur.
Grade: B+
If you suffer from mild to moderate acne, then Murad is a range you might want to check out. Sephora offers value packs with deluxe samples that will last a 6 week test period. For more information visit www.muradcanada.com
**Disclosure: products provided by PR for editorial consideration**
