Acting on acne

Nobody needs to be introduced to acne. This irksome, in some cases debilitating skin ailment, affects nearly everyone at some time in their life, usually during adolescence, although some people only begin to experience breakouts in their twenties. The intrinsic factors involved in the causes of acne include excess skin cells, excess oil, and bacteria from the environment.

Until recently, most of us thought that the only things that could combat acne were drying agents. Says renowned dermatologist Howard Murad, M.D., "People had no choice but to assault the inflamed area with benzoyl peroxide." Or, God forbid, toothpaste. The use of these harsh agents "simultaneously dehydrates, inflames, and irritates the skin, leading to more problems."

Dr. Murad, however, is not one to criticize without providing a much better alternative. As CEO and founder of Murad, Inc., a skincare brand that believes health is key to being beautiful, he has created a range of anti-acne products that target the factors causing acne, at the same time lessening redness and inflammation.

The Murad Acne Regimen is a patented and proven system that doesn’t only attack acne on the surface level. The regimen is designed to "reduce surface bacteria, gently exfoliate excess skin cells, provide necessary hydration, and instantly reduce inflammation." These anti-acne products also eliminate skin conditions that mimic acne, including keratosis pilaris, eczema, folliculitis, and peri-oral dermatitis. Or simply put, those inflamed red bumps that appear on your skin from out of nowhere. "One of my goals in developing these products is to educate people about their skin," says Dr. Murad. "Acne and similar conditions need to be treated systematically, by first addressing the cause. Leaving it alone or drying it up will not make it go away."

There are eight products that compose the Murad Acne Regimen, each one more effective if used with the other products within the range:

• Clarifying Cleanser — Everything starts with clean skin. Murad’s Clarifying Cleanser contains salicylic acid that deeply cleanses out pores and anti-inflammatory agents such as black cohosh and green tea extracts that combine with natural moisture factors to soothe and hydrate skin. The result? Ninety-nine percent of surface bacteria, the culprit responsible for red bumps, is reduced in less than one minute.

• Clarifying Toner — This follow-up to the cleanser contains witch hazel that tightens pores and prevents dirt and bacteria from digging deeper into the skin. Other extracts in the formulation include calendula, cucumber, and grape seed, which all soothe and hydrate.

• Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel — This specially patented formula is infused with the ubiquitous alpha and beta hydroxy acids that gently slough off bacteria and dead skin cells. Retinol, zinc, arnica, and hydroxen peroxide take care of oil control and prevent new inflammation. Unlike other exfoliating agents, this gel is mild enough to use every day.

• Skin Perfecting Lotion — Retinol, the main ingredient in this lightweight, oil-free moisturizer, has been known for its skin retexturizing abilities. Add to the mix extracts of arnica, willow herb, grape seed and green tea, which all help soothe and protect inflamed skin.

• Acne Spot Treatment — Beauty editors agree that this product does wonders for unwanted zits that make unlikely appearances right before a big day. This quick-fix treatment contains sulfur that minimizes the severity of breakouts. A combination of grape seed, zinc, and licorice extract soothes irritation and reduces redness.

• Clarifying Mask — Once a week, indulge in this mask with kaolin and bentonite clay meant to reduce excess oil. Severe breakouts take a timeout because of the combined effects of sulfur, zinc and licorice extracts. Camphor and lavender act as a balm, leaving skin cool and calm.

• Moisturizing Acne Treatment Gel — Having oily, acne-prone skin doesn’t give you a free pass on skipping moisturizer to leave skin dry and sebum-free. All skin types need moisturizing, even oily skin, which can benefit from this oil-free moisturizing gel. It does double duty by increasing skin’s moisture content at the same time decreasing breakouts by as much as 45 percent in just two weeks.

• Murad Clarifying Body Spray — Acne is not particularly finicky; it doesn’t just appear on one’s face. The body is also prone to acne breakouts, particularly the back, hence the term "bacne." This quick-drying spray allows you to target hard to reach areas like your back with a formulation that includes antibacterial ingredients and anti-acne veterans salicylic acid and retinol.

First-time users can start off with the Murad Acne Complex Kit, a more economical starter kit that includes full sizes of the Clarifying Cleanser, Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel, Skin Perfecting Lotion, and Acne Spot Treatment. Encased in an engaging can, much like what’s used for powdered milk, this kit promotes a skincare regimen that, as proven by scientific studies, reduced blemishes in over 90 percent of participants in just four weeks.

"Acne blemishes can scar the skin, not to mention one’s self esteem," says Dr. Murad. With his anti-acne products, however, neither your skin nor your confidence will have to suffer.

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All Murad Acne products are available at Murad Med-Spa, 5/L Rustan’s Makati, and at Essenses Makati, Rustan’s Tower, Alabang Town Center, Robinsons Place, Rustan’s Gateway, Cebu Ayala Town Center, and Chimes Davao.

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