Brand Testimonial
Murad Skincare Background information
So without further ado, lets dive into the Murad Skincare (Mini-) Reviews.
Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Cleanser (43,99€ for 200 ml)
What Murad Essential-C Cleanser claims
What it is
A refreshing gel cleanser using gentle surfactants that contains humectants, Vitamin C, E and A (as Retinol Palmitate, so very weak) and leaves my skin refreshed, clean and hydrated. Despite it saying „burst of citrus“ on the packaging, the scent is very subtle and more fresh than citrussy.
It does contain Fragrance and Citrus Essential Oils.
Who do I recommend it to
All skin types as a refreshing morning cleanse or as second cleanse in the evenings for normal, combination and oily skin.
Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (43,99€ for 200 ml)
What Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser claims
What it is
A SLS based exfoliating cleanser that contains three different acids (Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic) as well as gentle Jojoba beads for exfoliation. You might have guessed it already, this is NOT a gentle cleanser, despite the added humectants, and I personally found it to be quite drying. If you feel your skin is congested/ has texture/ needs a deep cleanse with exfoliation, this will help, but I would not reach for it more than once a week, and certainly not as my daily cleanse.
Who do I recommend it to
People with oily and congested skin as a once a week treatment. It leaves my skin soft and bright, but also in need of some extra hydration.
Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture (84 € for 50 ml)
What Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture claims
What it is
Exactly what it claims on the packaging – an ultra hydrating, yet lightweight cream that never feels heavy on my combination skin and has no noticeable scent.
It contains Shea Butter, Glycerin, Urea, Avocado and Sunflower Seed Oil for moisturizing, Bisabolol and Allantoin to soothe and hydrate as well as Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, two peptides aimed at stimulating collagen synthesis.
Another interesting peptide addition is Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate (a tripeptide marketed as Syn-Hycan), which has been shown to have biological activity by boosting the production of hyauronan (HA). HA is a very important molecule for the hydration of the skin, however the levels of HA in the body decrease as the body ages. It has also been claimed that TAUT stimulates the production of the proteins decorin and lumican. Decorin and lumican provide collagen fibres with greater structural support by binding the fibres together, to give the skin a fuller and firmer look.
Psst, if you want to learn more about peptides, click here.
Who do I recommend it to
Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel (67,99€ for 50 ml)
What Murad Nutrient Charged Water Gel claims
What it is
Who do I recommend it to
Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil (81€ for 30 ml)
What Murad Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil claims
What it is
An ultra-nourishing, yet light weight facial oil. The base is Jojoba Oil, so it works on oily skin types too, and has Vitamins A to F added to the blend:
Vitamin A (as Retinyl propionate, a weak retinoid), Vitamin B ( as Panthenyl Triacetate, a Panthenol-Ester, which is soothing), Vitamin C (as Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, which is less irritating and more stable than L-Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin D (7-Dehydrocholesterol, converted to Vitamin D3 in the skin), Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate, an antioxidant) and Vitamin F (also known as fatty acids, Linoleic Acid and Linolenic Acid). On top of that it contains Hexylresorcinol (a skin brightening antioxidant) and Rice Bran Extract (again, brightening).
It does contain fragrance and linalool/limonene as part of essential oils too.
Who do I recommend it to
Again, any skin type could use it, but mature skins that need extra nourishment will probably benefit the most. I enjoy it very much.
Murad Age Reform Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 / PA+++ (73,99€ for 30 ml)
What Murad Age Reform Invisiblur Perfecting Shield claims
What it is
A skincare/makeup hybrid, and these always leave me a little confused. I don’t mind the added skincare benefits, but tend to rely on my serums for the heavy lifting there.
From a sunscreen perspective, it is important to know that this is a US based sunscreen, so can’t use many of the more modern filters we in the EU have access to. If you look at the filters used though, 2% Avobenzone (UVA), 4% Homosalate (UVB), 4% Octisalate (stabilizes Avobenzone, weak UVB protection) and 2% Octocrylene (stabilizes Avobenzone, UVB and a little UVA), you will find an effective and stabilized blend.
My main issue with using that as a sunscreen though is the fact that if you apply as much as recommended for your spa, it feels weird on the skin, so I guess most people will use a thinner layer, compromising on protection.
As a makeup primer though, this is beautiful. The silicone heavy formula means it never feels greasy, but almost powdery to the touch, it blurs my pores and fine lines and my makeup, applied on top, stays put all day long.
Red flags for some might be the added fragrance as well as alcohol, making its appearance mid way through the ingredient list.
Who do I recommend it to
As a makeup primer to everyone that wants a blurred complexion and long lasting makeup. As sunscreen I would personally only use it underneath my makeup for office days, but not for a beach day out.
Bottom line
Murad Skincare was worth the wait for me. While not every product would be repurchased by me (I don’t think I love the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser enough), others like the Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel and the Murad Multi-Vitamin Infused Face Oil already earned their place in my regular routine.
More in-depth Murad Skincare Reviews will follow over the course of the next weeks, but until then I would love to know which products I should add to my wish list. I have a feeling I am just getting started here…
Shop the post
If you notice the prices here are lower here than the ones mentioned above, that is because the links below go to UK websites were the products are still more affordable. You have to of course take shipping into account when deciding where to get them. In Germany, Murad Skincare is exclusively available at Douglas.
