Murad Skincare Review

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You’ve probably seen ads for Murad skincare products, but have you ever wondered who is behind the brand, and how it all started? Murad is named for its founder, Dr Howard Murad, who is a pioneer in the fields of skincare and wellness. He’s also an artist and author, and take a holistic approach to skincare.

Is Murad Skincare Worth The Money?

A common question about this brand is if the products are worth the cost.

In our opinion, Murad products are worth the money, but there are other brands that deliver greater value.

One brand is Carrot & Stick, a clean skincare brand that perfectly balances the gentle nurturing of plants with the powerful results of innovative science.

What’s Inside Murad Skincare?

Murad products contain clinical–strength ingredients and the formulas are a mix of naturally derived extracts, such as green tea and pomegranate, as well as evidence-based ingredients like vitamin C, peptides, and retinol. These ingredients should all be part of your skincare routine. Here’s why:

Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.

It’s used in several Murad products, such as Vita-C Glycolic Serum, Vita-C Triple Exfoliating Facial, Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector, and more. 

But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.

Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness. 

While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.

This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size. 

Murad Rapid Collagen Infusion contains Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5. 

If you’re looking for a peptide serum, we recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin.

Retinol
Retinol is the go-to anti-aging ingredient recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. It’s clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.

The only downside? Retinol can often lead to side effects like skin dryness, peeling, and irritation. 

It’s in Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum. 

Use retinol at night. We recommend Carrot & Stick The Retinol Serum. This formula contains a next-generation retinol complex and potent antioxidants to help reduce visible signs of aging.

Who is Dr Murad?

Dr Murad is a board-certified dermatologist, a trained pharmacist and an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. He is the founder of Murad Skincare and author of multiple books, including “The Water Secret,” the “Cellulite Solution,” and “Wrinkle Free Forever.” He’s also the president of the University for Inclusive Health, and continues to see patients at his practice in California.
When Dr Murad launched his eponymous skincare line in 1989 it was the first physician branded product line to hit the market. He is also credited with launching the first medical spa, as well as pioneering the use of alpha hydroxyl and beta hydroxyl acids, and pinpointed stress as a major health threat.

What is Dr Murad’s philosophy?

Dr Murad championed the idea of “beauty from within” and takes a 360 degree approach to skincare and wellness. Put another way, he is also known as ‘The Father of Internal Skincare.” He is a big believer that good skincare starts with the right nutrition and has said in interviews that “80% of your skin’s health is from internal care – nutrition from a good diet and supplements. Only 20% is from topical products.”

To achieve optimal health as well as beautiful, healthy looking skin, Dr Murad believes in a multi prong approach that includes: cellular hydration, nutrition, exercise that brings joy, creative expression, reconnecting with your “inner toddler,” reducing stress, as well as the right skin care. One of the cornerstones of his philosophy is to get enough water at the cellular level. He believes that cellular hydration is the common thread linking aging, disease, obesity, and wrinkles. This translates into drinking more than the recommended eight glasses of water a day. People should also aim to eat their water from consuming raw fruits and vegetables.

Murad is also known for promoting the use of dietary supplements to improve the skin. He is a fan of pomegranates, which are antioxidants and packed with polyphenols, which may boost the effectiveness of sunscreen, as well as goji berries, which are high in amino acids and vitamin C.

When it comes to his skincare line, the workhorses are the serums, which he views as the heavy lifters of a beauty routine, and “have the power to change your skin.”

What products does Dr Murad sell?

Dr Murad has a wide range of products that are formulated to deliver antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties and boost hydration.

The Murad system is based on a three step process that comes down to cleansing, treatment and moisturizing, and each product is color coded. Products can be mixed and matched depending on a particular skin concern, and they are color coded for ease. The Murad line is meant to address virtually every skin care concern, from acne to anti-ageing and hyperpigmentation.

What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2024?

What are some Murad bestsellers?

Some of the most popular Murad products include the Multi-Vitamin Infused Oil ($72) which is packed with six vitamins, and is designed to target signs of aging, boost hydration, brighten skin, and defend from free radicals for a more youthful-looking complexion. Retinol Youth Renewing Cream ($82) received an award in 2017 from O, Oprah’s magazine. The cream is powered by Retinol Tri-Active Technology, a fast-acting Retinoid, time-released Retinol and a booster, which works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while peptide-rich Red Algae Extract helps improve firmness and elasticity. The Pore Extractor Pomegranate Mask ($38) is a clay based mask that is meant to draw out impurities, while Rapid Age Spot Correcting Serum ($75) targets dark spots.

Are there any new Murad products?

Some of the newest Murad products include a new line of “prebiotics,” which are good-for-you bacteria that can help nourish the skin. Dr Murad believes that too many people are overwashing their skin, which strips it of oils and good bacteria. This line is meant to add good bacteria in the form of probiotics back to the skin to achieve balance and radiance. The line includes a Prebiotic 4-In-1 MultiCleanser ($36), Prebiotic 3-In-1 MultiMist ($32) to replenish the skin and set makeup; and Revitalixir Recovery Serum ($89) a face and eye serum that is design to tackle dehydration, wrinkles and puffiness.

Do Murad products work?

One way to judge the efficacy of a product is to see what (if any) awards it has garnered. Murad’s Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment ($22) won a coveted Allure Best of Beauty award in 2018. Good Housekeeping has bestowed awards on Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel ($52) more than once. In 2016, a Good Housekeeping Laboratory test results noted that Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum firmed skin by 24% and reduced the appearance of fine lines. That same year Murad’s Invisible Face Protector, a clear sunscreen with an SPF 30, won a Breakthrough Beauty Award, also from Good Housekeeping. When the British edition of Good Housekeeping tested Murad Retinol Youth Renewal in 2018, it gave it a score of 80/100 and said that “after 28 days, testers saw improvement in their skin and said it ‘looked refreshed’ and that ‘fine lines around the eyes and mouth were noticeably reduced”. Other testers have said that the cream felt luxurious, was easily absorbed into the skin and had a pleasant but subtle smell.” The media accolades go on and on- in 2015 Allure gave the Acne Body Wash ($43) a Best of Beauty award, while that same year, Shape magazine declared Invisible Face Protector ($65) its Best Sunscreen for Face.

While Murad products are certainly popular in the media, they also seem to garner positive reviews from customers. Murad products sold on Amazon consistently get 3.5-5 star ratings. Some of the hands down winners are the Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser which has 4.5 stars from 294 customer reviews, and Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser, which gets 4 stars from 221 reviews. Customer feedback on Sephora is also similar, with most products getting 4-5 stars.

Why You Should Use a Skin Supplement to Support Collagen

Collagen adds density and plumpness to your skin.

In your 20’s and 30’s, natural collagen production starts to decline.

When natural collagen declines, skin loses its elasticity and bounce. This contributes to lines, wrinkles and a loss of firmness. 

If you are over 30, we recommend including a plant based collagen support supplement in your skincare routine.

Our recommendation is Collagen Bounce. It supports skin’s natural collagen production, inside out.

Where are Murad products sold?

Murad products are sold individually as well as in kits on the Murad’s own website. There are multiple kits designed to treat acne prone skin, including 30 and 60 day kits, as well as kits targeting the signs of aging. Murad is also sold at Sephora, Ulta, CVS and department stores such as Nordstrom.

Top Skincare Picks

What are alternatives to Murad?

If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy more youthful-looking skin. 

Carrot & Stick routines take the guesswork out of building a skincare routine. We recommend the Day & Night Routine.

If you are over 30, we recommend including a plant based collagen support supplement in your skincare routine. Our recommendation is Collagen Bounce. It supports skin’s natural collagen production, inside out.