Murad skincare review
This Summer Murad invited me to a skin assessment at my fav department store – John Lewis in Cambridge – to see for myself whether they could predict the future of my skin. It was a fascinating but bottom-lip-wobbling experience. Using their ‘Youth Cam’ I saw the fine lines and wrinkles waiting for me if I didn’t start making changes to ensure that my skin’s future remains in the future for as long as possible. Eeek!
Murad sent me some of the products that my consultant recommended on the day so that I could try them out at home. I’ve been putting them to the test for just over four weeks now.
Like many skincare brands Murad emphasises a three step skincare routine. My consultant recommended that I use the Age Reform Refreshing Cleanser (£29) as step one to thoroughly clean and tone my skin. At first I was a bit upset to be using something called ‘Age Reform’ but I guess now that I’m over 40 needs must! It contains cucumber extract to soothe as it refreshes plus Hawaiian white ginger and algae extracts to soften and smooth the skin.
This is my FAVOURITE product of all the ones I tried. It has a lovely creamy feel, removes any traces of make-up that are left behind after using my usual cleanser and my skin feels so clean and fresh after using it. You quite simply wet your face and then apply the cleanser, gently rubbing it over your skin. Rinse off, pat dry and you’re done.
My step two is the Essential-C Daily Renewal Complex (£87). This daily cream is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and ‘photodamage’ such as age spots and skin blemishes (like the ones that the Murad ‘Youth Cam’ highlighted on my own skin). It works by delivering a maximum dose of Vitamin C to repair and protect your skin from future damage caused by sun exposure and the environment.
It’s a white cream that has the consistency of a primer and a silicone feel. Although I’ve been using this for a few weeks now I have to admit that I haven’t seen any major differences in my skin. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely product but I’m not seeing the miraculous changes I thought I would. Perhaps I need to use the ‘Youth Cam’ again!
As an additional product to treat the fine lines around my eyes *sigh* I was also sent the Instant Radiance Eye Cream (£49.50) which sounded amazing, promising to minimise dark circles and improve smoothness after just one application. As the skin around our eyes is SO fragile (it’s thinner here than anywhere else on our bodies) it’s important to use a cream that’s specifically for this area.
Unfortunately I had quite a severe reaction to this cream – it made my eye lids sore and red – so I couldn’t continue using it. (I did mention this to Murad and they were surprised, pointing out that they rarely see reactions like this.)
My step three is the Perfecting Day Cream (£39) which, like the Refreshing Cleanser, is part of the Age Reform range. This is designed to hydrate and protect the skin with SPF 30. It is a light, fragrance free cream which sinks easily into my skin without feeling oily or mask-like.
I liked this a lot and was surprised that it had such a high SPF as it didn’t feel like a suncream at all. Knowing that my skin is protected is reassuring – it’s one of the most important steps to keeping your skin looking young for longer and who doesn’t want that?
Murad is a premium skincare range and after using these products for a few weeks I’m disappointed that two were misses for me but the cleanser and daily face cream were definite hits.
Only time will tell whether they will help to keep the future of my skin ‘in the future’ but in the meantime perhaps I should just enjoy every early line and wrinkle as evidence of a life well lived?
The Murad skincare range is available from department stores including John Lewis in Cambridge and at Murad.co.uk. It’s also available in the US from Murad.com.
Disclaimer: Murad gifted me a range of their products to review but all opinions (and wrinkles) are my own.
Linking up with Brilliant Blog Posts at Honest Mum and Tried and Tested at My Family Fever
Never used this brand but it looks like a lovely range. Don’t like the sound of a Youth Cam though, I would have to run away screaming from that. #TriedTested
It was a bit scary actually Joanne – really reminded me I need to use a high factor skin cream EVERY day though!
Love the sound of the cleanser – sounds like it really does ‘cleanse’ – so many just leave you feeling a bit sticky and not cleansed lol. Thanks for linking up with #TriedTested
You’re SO right. A lot of cleaners just don’t get rid of make-up at all. I do like this one though.
I have used Murad and love the Age Diffusing Firming mask, it really does firm and make my face look less haggard haha. I used the body firming cream that was great too. Not for a review, I received as gifts. The cleanser sounds good, shame the eye cream reacted, I think its good to read these, gives us a chance to find out more about the products. I would still try them all as our skin is unique to us, but would be happy to donate my wrinkles to you if you need any for another review. Jo #TriedTested
Ha ha! Thanks Jo, I’ll bear that in mind but I really do have enough wrinkles of my own to experiment on
Wow remember your future assessment post form the summer and I’ve read great things generally on Murad, love the sound of the cleanser too, can’t wait to hear more from you about whether they work long term. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts
Thanks yes it was really interesting to go back and see how they’ve worked over time. I love a long-term review
You’re brave! I’m not sure I’m ready for someone to tell me just how bad my skin is going to get 😉 I’m sooooo lazy when it comes to my skin, I do the absolute bare minimum, cross my fingers and hope for the best. I’m sure that’s going to come back and bite me on the bum sometime very soon….
Brave? Or crazy…? 😉