Murad Acne Products
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Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:16 pm

Hi all,

Being recommended by EDS staff, I ordered Murad Acne Complex Kit (60 day supply) for my face which is FULL of whiteheads and a few of red pimples.

It has been the 5th week of using the kit, my face is worse than ever with more obvious whiteheads and more pimples. I have checked the Murad official website. This is called the purging process, which is an expected/planned process before the skin becomes cleared.

May be I have used too much of the lotion (Skin Perfecting Lotion), the lotion is running out while all other items in the kit still have a lot remaining.

Can anyone tell me whether I should order just the Skin Perfecting Lotion (which is more expensive to buy it individually? or is it ok to replace it with my left-over Estee lauder DayWear Plus? Does the Skin Perfecting Lotion that essential in the overall quality of the kit? In fact, I am quite hesitate to continue purchasing Murad's acne products while haven't seen any result from my first order.

By the way, I would like to purchase a mask for fighting with whiteheads and pimples too. Any suggestions? Anyone has used the Murad Clarifying Mask? Is it better off to use everything from the same line or can I mix and match?

Thanks in advance! Smile

Mon Aug 22, 2005 1:31 am

The Perfecting Lotion is retinol based. If I used it and didn't see it working for me then I would be tempted to try something else. What type of skin do you have? Since it's acne prone I'd be tempted to go with something that has BHA in it. Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion has salicylic acid, which might work well for the acne (BHA clears out the pores).

In terms of masks, I use the MD Formulations Clearing Complex mask and I don't have anything bad to say about it apart from not liking the weird lime green colour of it Smile

Btw, did the Murad website say how low the purging process is? You need to know at which stage to throw in the towel and try something else if your skin doesn't improve. This is something that is always difficult to judge and depends on your skin though...

Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:44 am

Thanks for your advise, Mabsy.

My skin...I believe I am combination to oily (more close to oily).

The message board of Murad's website, people using it has different duration of purging process. Some experience no purging at all, some experience that for 2 months (the worst from what I read there). I remember clearly that there is a message from the user saying that it may take 3 to 4 months to see the results. Therefore, I am not sure whether I should quit using Murad or when to do so.

By the way, does retinol work for acne (versus BHA)? A couple of days ago, there is a recommendation to use Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5. Is the Skin Perfecting Lotion about the same as Skinceutical Retinol 0.5?

Thank you.

free skin care · Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:33 am

I think that after about five weeks, I'd be looking for something else. I have really had good luck with IS Clinical's proheal serum and skinceuticals retinol. Dermalogica also has some great retinol products.

free skin care · Mon Aug 22, 2005 9:34 am

I would probably be moving on too. Dermalogica is a great line for troubled skin.

Mon Aug 22, 2005 11:35 am

Hi Mabsy,

I am very interested in MDF Clear Complex Mask. But, I cannot locate that product from EDS. Can you tell me where I can find that?

Thank you.

free skin care · Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:36 am

Hiya BH. I bought an oily skin pack to try and help ease some congestion and I also broke out in some little white spots. I took it as the product being too harsh to be used as frequently as I was using it. (Wash followed by the gel exfoliator) I stopped using both till they had cleared up and now use them every couple of days with no bad effects. Maybe cut down your use before giving up and trying a new range?

Wed Aug 24, 2005 5:15 am

BigHead wrote:

Hi Mabsy,

I am very interested in MDF Clear Complex Mask. But, I cannot locate that product from EDS. Can you tell me where I can find that?

Thank you.

I might have got the name of it wrong - sorry. It's in the Vit-a-Plus range. This is the one I'm talking about http://www.essentialdayspa.com/md-formulations-vit-a-plu-p_1892.htm

free skin care · Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:43 pm

Initally when I bought the murad exfoliating acne treatment gel, I would apply it all over my face. This did nothing to reduce my acne and only made my face condition worse (fine lines exaggerated because the product dried out my face) and I stopped using this product for a while. However, after reading some of the reviews on this forum, I decided to try the product again but this time I used it as a spot treatment. The trick is to rub the product in to the pimple. I experienced tingling and itchiness after application, but the size of my pimple went down almost immediately. My previous scars are fading as well. Slowly, but surely my face is clearing up as can be expected: it takes time for pimples to go away and for your skin to heal.

free skin care · Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:07 am

I have tried Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion, ACNE, but it seem too light for me and the moisturizing effect is fair, my ance seem not much improvement after i have finished the whole pack of lotion
for the Murad Clarifying Toner, it make my skin too dry and I dont like the smell as well~a little bit disppointed with both of these.

free skin care · Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:05 pm

I was very disappointed in this line. I used it for over 6 weeks and all it did was make my skin really inflammed. I finally stopped when my sister asked why my skin was getting worse.

free skin care · Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:26 pm

I used the Murad line when I stopped taking BCP in my mid thirties and got these horrible breakouts. It really helped to clear my skin and it's quite a nice line but unfortunately it contains a lot of irritants that can cause bad reactions for some. I still use the clarifying cleanser and toner every once in a blue moon, mainly because I'm trying to use up the professional size products I purchased from ebay but likely won't return to this line. I've found better products with more actives, fewer irritants and less $$ than Murad.

free skin care · Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:47 pm

hi, athena123, what product do you found better?

free skin care · Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:51 pm

Hi masaholly, welcome to EDS! I use a lot of products from PSF Skincare [you'll find TONS of threads about that line here on EDS] and Great New Skin. I've also delved a tiny bit into some DIY potions for things I use a lot of and actually normalized my skin from oily/acne prone to combo/oily with occasional breakouts. I think the key for me was to use the most gentle yet effective products. By using too harsh skincare routine, you can actually make things worse when you overstrip your skin of all it's protecting, lovely oils.

free skin care · Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:08 pm

yes, i think i was too aggressive to treat my breakout and oily skin that i hv tried tone of products and medication, but the outcome was not as good as i expected~ maybe i have to accept my oily skin

free skin care · Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:12 am

masaholly wrote:

yes, i think i was too aggressive to treat my breakout and oily skin that i hv tried tone of products and medication, but the outcome was not as good as i expected~ maybe i have to accept my oily skin

masaholly, those of us with oily skin are truly BLESSED! Oily skin is healthier than dry skin. We naturally produce the sebum that our sisters with dry skin struggle to replace. Oily skinned girls have fewer wrinkles and plumper skin than our dry skinned counterparts. I've FINALLY learned to love my oily skin after 43 years! Laughing

The key is to find what works to control breakouts, prevent clogged pores and reduce the shiny gleam that oily skin will create.

One of the best things I found to prevent clogged pores and blackheads was a weekly massage with jojoba oil [after makeup is removed], focusing around nose and chin. After 15 minutes of massage, sebum plugs literally drop out. Some ladies do this everyday but I'm too lazy, so I only do it once a week.

On a daily basis, I use PSF 5% BHA. This cleans pores within. Every other day, I use 20% glycolic acid [I worked up to this strength over the past year, it's not a beginning percentage active] to exfoliate and clean pores on the surface of the skin.

Every other day, I use EpidermxII to manually exfoliate the skin surface.

I treat myself to acne mud mask and pumpkin peel mask once a week. [not at the same time of course!]

Keep bacteria away from that lovely face of yours in several ways. Different washcloth to dry each and every time. Clean those makeup brushes! Change your pillowcases every few days! Make sure your makeup is non-comedogenic. For oily skinned girls, mineral makeup is a blessing.

I keep the shines at bay by using a pearl cream under my sunscreen and rarely have to use blotting papers any more.

Don't fight your oily skin, learn how to work with it and appreciate it!

end of rant, sorry for the ramble Laughing

free skin care · Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:14 pm

athena123 wrote:

One of the best things I found to prevent clogged pores and blackheads was a weekly massage with jojoba oil [after makeup is removed], focusing around nose and chin. After 15 minutes of massage, sebum plugs literally drop out. Some ladies do this everyday but I'm too lazy, so I only do it once a week.

How have I missed this trick? Are you actively massaging for 15 minutes? Do you have to reapply the jojoba oil? Inquiring minds want to know!!

free skin care · Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:53 pm

sgresnic wrote:

athena123 wrote:

One of the best things I found to prevent clogged pores and blackheads was a weekly massage with jojoba oil [after makeup is removed], focusing around nose and chin. After 15 minutes of massage, sebum plugs literally drop out. Some ladies do this everyday but I'm too lazy, so I only do it once a week.

How have I missed this trick? Are you actively massaging for 15 minutes? Do you have to reapply the jojoba oil? Inquiring minds want to know!!

sgresnic, yes I'm actively massaging ma' face for 15 minutes. I do this sitting on the couch watching the news, not standing over the bathroom sink Smile

I use jojoba oil to remove my makeup, wipe off with a microfiber cloth, rinse with warm water then apply more jojoba oil [think of a 50 cent piece] and massage that all over my face with emphasis on the nose and chin.

Look for threads related to OCM, or the Oil Cleansing Method. It doesn't work for everyone but it has worked for me. Jojoba oil is very effective because it's a wax that closely resembles human sebum. I'm convinced it's the time and the massage that shifts jojoba oil into the pores, which melts sebum plugs. It's kind of gross but what the hell? We're not at our best when we have masks on our faces, stuff in our hair in the quest for skin and beauty health!
Laughing

free skin care · Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:29 pm

athena123 wrote:

sgresnic wrote:

athena123 wrote:

One of the best things I found to prevent clogged pores and blackheads was a weekly massage with jojoba oil [after makeup is removed], focusing around nose and chin. After 15 minutes of massage, sebum plugs literally drop out. Some ladies do this everyday but I'm too lazy, so I only do it once a week.

How have I missed this trick? Are you actively massaging for 15 minutes? Do you have to reapply the jojoba oil? Inquiring minds want to know!!

sgresnic, yes I'm actively massaging ma' face for 15 minutes. I do this sitting on the couch watching the news, not standing over the bathroom sink Smile

I use jojoba oil to remove my makeup, wipe off with a microfiber cloth, rinse with warm water then apply more jojoba oil [think of a 50 cent piece] and massage that all over my face with emphasis on the nose and chin.

Look for threads related to OCM, or the Oil Cleansing Method. It doesn't work for everyone but it has worked for me. Jojoba oil is very effective because it's a wax that closely resembles human sebum. I'm convinced it's the time and the massage that shifts jojoba oil into the pores, which melts sebum plugs. It's kind of gross but what the hell? We're not at our best when we have masks on our faces, stuff in our hair in the quest for skin and beauty health!
Laughing

Thank so much - I've seen the references to the oil cleansing method but didn't realize that it was more than using oil to take off makeup. This is really helpful - now I have plans for this Saturday night. Laughing

But I do disagree with one thing you said - I think we are at our most wonderful, beautiful, taking-care-of-ourselves best when we have gunk all over ourselves. We deserve to treat ourselves well, and enjoy the pampering we give ourselves. Because sometimes it's all about the process, and not necessarily about the results. Go us!

free skin care · Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:28 pm

thanks for your sharing~ as said by sgresnic, we do focus on the process more than the result~i am used to apply the cleansing oil and do massage during showering. though no outstanding effect with it, it's relaxing at least! let's enjoy what we own~

free skin care · Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:31 am

Hi Bighead~

I am new to this forum. But I have experience working behind the scenes in the personal care industry primarily R&D. If a product isn't working for you, there may be a reason behind it. Sometimes products such as Murad's Acne line may just not be a fit for your skin. I know for a fact that my brother used Murad and it didn't work for him, then he switched to Proactiv and it worked. So it may just be that, the Acne complex kit isn't working for you. Again, this is my opinion.

free skin care · Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:01 pm

but sometimes i really don't know whether i should quit of using the product which didn't work on me, should i stop or keep using it and wait for the effect?

free skin care · Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:31 pm

Hi Masaholly~

Yes, I know what you mean. Have you been using Murad's Acne complex for long? I know that I've tried their Exfoliating Acne treatment gel and it didn't do much for me, but I never tried the full kit. My brother on the other hand has, and he didn't like the results b/c there really weren't any...I also know many people who used Proactiv and it didn't work for them, and I know people who used Proactiv and it did work for them. It's weird but it's also the luck of the draw..So if you are new to Murad's acne kit you could give it a try and see what happens, but if it makes your skin worse please don't continue to use it. I'm not sure if it's one of those product lines that's supposed to make your skin worse.

free skin care · Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:29 pm

thanks for your opinion~ it didn't make worse but just not much effect on me~ so i'm stuggled for keeping it or not

free skin care · Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:41 pm

I also bought the acne complex kit and it has not helped with both my sister and my skin. A total waste of money. It did not help prevent pimples at all.

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