Murad Skincare Blog

Ask an Esthetician #5

"I'm not sure if my skin spots are from age or from the sun. How should I treat them?"

Monica Z.:

Both age spots and sun spots, called hyperpigmentation, are the result of your body's natural inflammation response--so the treatment is the same. Murad's Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel is formulated with hydroquinone for fast, gentle fading of unwanted spots and blotches. Just remember: sun exposure can further darken the pigment or encourage spots to stick around even longer--so always use sunscreen.

About Face: Acne and Sugar

For years, popular opinion held that certain foods (French fries, chocolate and pizza among them) caused pimples. In recent years, however, dermatologists have been insisting that diet has little effect on acne--and now the industry is bracing for another about-face. In a recent study in the Archives of Dermatology, research revealed that acne is almost completely absent in countries like Papua New Guinea and Paraguay, where the typical diet is low in sugar.

By contrast, up to 95% of American teenagers suffer from acne. The study indicated that high-glycemic foods like white flour and potatoes, both prevalent in the Western diet, cause a sudden insulin spike...which triggers excess oil production. Fat, it appears, is no longer the bad guy; sugar's the one to watch.

The Inside Scoop

Want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes at Murad? If so, then the Murad Insider is for you! In this bi-monthly newsletter, you'll get the scoop on the latest events, the newest products, and the most exciting announcements from the Murad Global Headquarters. Sign up now to begin receiving the Insider in 2008, and you can also check out all of the past issues at Murad.com.  It's Murad news, from the inside out.

Winter Weather Woes

Lori Cahitas, Spa Services Manager

Have the cold temperatures this winter left your skin dehydrated, itchy and red? Jack Frost can play some nasty tricks on the skin from head to toe. Most people think it's the bone chilling winter air and drying indoor heaters that do most of the damage. But did you ever consider that what you're putting in your mouth could also dehydrate the largest organ of your body? That's right. . .all those holiday cocktails and fancy coffee drinks also create a more parched you.

But don't fret, there is a solution to this problem. Have you ever heard of eating your water? Inside all RAW fruits and veggies there is structured water which can be absorbed very easily by your body. Additionally, it's also a good idea to supplement your diet with essential fatty acids. EFAs are instrumental in maintaining healthy cellular water levels which will restore moisture to your chapped skin, giving you a smoother, more radiant look.

Also, you can alleviate dehydration topically with regular exfoliation containing fruit enzymes, Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids. Follow with a hydrating mask or moisturizer with hydrophillic (water loving) ingredients like Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate. So now that you know what to eat, drink and apply you can throughly enjoy the holidays with soft and supple skin.

Ask an Esthetician #4

"I have normal/combination skin, but I also have a lot of pigmentation and am showing signs of aging. What should I do?"

Ronny C.:

To help repair damage and keep skin protected from daily environmental exposure, it is important to use a Vitamin C treatment during the day to reverse the pigmentation, and a treatment, like Combination Skin Treatment, at night to defer the signs of aging. Both will contribute to the overall wellness of your skin. The healthier the skin is, the better able it is to cope with the challenges of time, sun and stress.

3 Post-Party Skincare Secrets

Jill Neil, Web Marketing

Holiday Party season is upon us, and if you are like me, you're hopping from one event to the next (while trying to squeeze shopping, work and travel in between). To make sure you look (and feel) your best after a night of holiday cheer, these 3 tried and true employee secrets will have you glowing again by morning.

Post-soiree, but pre-sweet dreams:

1. Put Moisture Silk Eye Gel in the fridge. Your eyes will appreciate this refreshing de-puffer in the morning. Plus, it smooths fine lines so you'll feel confident bumping into old college friends at your annual get together.

2. Take 2 Wet Suit Cell Hydrating Supplements with a full glass of water before bed. Your dehydrated skin will love you (and it will decrease the chance of a headache if you've engaged in one too many champagne toasts).

3. Wash your face! At nighttime your pores open up and anything on the surface of your skin (think make-up, dirt and free-radicals) seeps right in. So no matter how tired you are or how late it is, be sure to follow your nighttime skincare regimen and awake to a healthy, hydrated glow.

Lip Service

Casey Cochran, Marketing Manager

The holidays are here, and you know what that means? Parties. Lots of them. With parties come fun, flirty dresses, pretty pumps, and dark lipstick. But the holidays also bring something a little less desirable: parched, scaly, dry lips. Apply lipstick and you'll end up exaggerating the problem. To get my pucker prepped for a party, I discovered a great little trick:

First, coat your lips with a thick layer of an ultra-hydrating lip balm (our Soothing Lip Therapy works wonders!). Next, gently exfoliate with a soft bristle toothbrush. Work the bristles in a circular fashion, then wipe your lips clean with a tissue. Reapply a light coat of your lip balm, let your lips rest a few minutes, and break out the lipstick.

Voila! You've got the perfect party pucker in no time.

Tricks, Treats and Tires

Dina Salcido, Web Marketing

I love Halloween, especially at Murad. Maybe it's the fact that we all get to escape the business casual for a day or that Ugly Betty can actually lead a meeting and get the respect she deserves. Either way, it's a good time.

So I put on my costume that morning and hopped in my car excited to check out the fashion show of costumes at the office. I didn't make it two blocks before hearing a honk! honk! from the car next to me. Being in a good mood and all, I decided to indulge the driver in making what was sure to be some asinine comment about my attire and rolled down my window: Oh you are Pippi Longstocking! That's so cute! By the way, your tire is flat. RATS! Naturally I pull over and try to assess the situation. But it must have been somewhere between jacking up the car and pulling the entire contents out of my trunk to get the spare, that I realize I'm doing all this on the side of the road in full costume. Luckily, I embrace ridiculousness and enjoy the fact that some passerby is going to have a great story to tell at the water cooler today. I didn't realize how bad it must have looked until two fully dressed clowns walked past me on the street and laughed. Now really, who gets laughed at by clowns?

Finally making my way to work, I'm just in time to hop into a meeting with a skeleton, but not after catching a glimpse of Peter Pan passing out the paychecks and the caped crusader Murad Man roaming the halls protecting all from razor burn and unsightly irritation at every turn.

Autumn

Karen Christensen

Lifestyle Practitioner, Murad Inclusive Health Center

Ancient medicine supports the connection between our bodies and nature. As the seasons of nature change, so too, do our bodies. It is important for us to make healthy changes in our lifestyle to coincide with nature.

During autumn, the days become shorter, weather turns colder, and leaves turn colors as they begin to fall. In doing this, they reveal their most simple and essential form. Autumn is a time of transition from the bright, powerful yang energy of summer to the dark, nurturing yin energy of winter. It is during this season that we harvest our goods from spring and summer, let go of what is not essential, and store what is.

Autumn Emotion - Grief

Autumn is a time of loss. We watch beautiful trees become bare and plants wither and die. As such, it is a season associated with grief. This is a great time to hold on to what is important, appreciate what you have, and know that the colors of spring will one day return.

Autumn Element - Metal

Of the 5 Elements, fall is associated with metal. This element governs the mind, organization, order and stability. During fall, we turn inward. We become more reflective,  and take inventory of our homes, our families, our health and our work. This is the best time to complete projects that have been left undone, organize and simplify our lives, and assess our health habits.

Fall is also an ideal time to reflect on our lives. While doing this, it is important to support ourselves emotionally by remaining flexible and faithful, seeking inspiration, and seeking counsel for issues of grief and lack of self-worth (the emotions associated with Autumn).

Autumn Organs - Lungs and Large Intestines

During the fall, our energy (or Qi) is strongest in our lung and large intestine organs, and also the skin, which is governed by these organs. Disorders of these organs are common during this season. These include respiratory problems, such as asthma, shortness of breath, frequent colds, and sinus infection, as well as slow moving bowels and skin disorders.

The lung and colon are connected in function. They receive the air, food and water that we ingest, absorb the substances that we need, separate out impurities, and eliminate them from our bodies. Take special care in the fall to breathe fresh air deeply, and eat foods that are natural and full of nutrients. These substances are optimized in our bodies this season.

Our lungs govern our skin, and are greatly involved in our resistance to microbes. It is important during the fall to take special care to boost our immune system, by eating well (plenty of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables), sleeping well, and being well (positive thoughts and low stress).

Ask an Esthetician #3

"Is there anything I can do to help my skin while I travel?"

Kristen S.:

Many of my customers travel for work and do not realize that an airplane cabin is drier than the Sahara Desert. I recommend keeping your body and skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water on the plane and applying a moisturizer like our Cellular Replenishing Serum. Like a "drink of water for your skin," this gel formula contains super hydrators that hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water. Best of all, it's great for all skin types.