Lately, instead of makeup, I have been on the search for products that make my skin look and feel better. It’s kind of a different change for me since I’m always on the lookout for the latest lipstick or eye shadow palette. I don’t know if it’s because I enjoy wearing a bare face more these days or if it’s because I legit don’t have time to get it together trying to balance so much. Either way I want my bare face to look amazing makeup or no makeup.
I’d like to think I have great skin, thanks to my mother for her genes. None of the women in her family look their age and I’m so grateful I got some of that in me. I also have another reason to thank her— my skin care routine. Since becoming a pre-teen, my mother has never let me use any drugstore products. When I got my first pimple, I remember her taking me over to the Clinique counter at the department store to buy their 3-Step skincare line for me.
Clinique is such a great brand and I love their products. But after using Clinique for about 10 years, I felt it was time to switch skincare products to fit the needs of my aging skin. Now that my needs are different, I felt like I needed something more potent than what I had been using because I’m so late in the game to start an anti-aging routine.
Just in case no one has has ever told you— you should start using an anti-aging skincare line once you turn 25. Not because you’re already old, but because your skin is more likely to still be at its prime. Using anti-aging products by that age are used as a preventative for wrinkles and other signs of aging as you get older.
I hear women say all the time, “You avoid wrinkles by not smiling”. Seriously? What kind of life is that? Walking around with resting bitch face 24/7 isn’t my thing. I like to laugh— a ton. What can I say? I’m a happy person and laughing is my favorite thing to do. It doesn’t help that I have the goofiest little boy that makes me laugh and smile throughout the day and a husband that makes me laugh whether it’s with me or at me. But that’s why they invented retinol right?
Anyway, as with any product, before I fully jump in I always get trial sizes. I like to see how my skin reacts to the products before I buy any full size. I’m not the type of person that likes to return things so if it doesn’t work out I feel like it’s not a big waste.
Let me tell y’all how happy I was that Murad didn’t let me down.
I had been using their anti-aging skincare line in the purple color for a couple of months now, but they changed their packaging because they added more retinol infused products and changed their exfoliating cleanser (that I absolutely loved) to a more moisturizing and hydrating cleanser. It makes sense. Dry skin causes wrinkles so keeping skin quenched will give it the elasticity it needs to remain smooth.
The starter pack comes with the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum, and the Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream. I bought the full size Renewing Cleansing Cream, and the full size Age Balancing Moisture SPF because whenever you’re using Retinol on your face, you absolutely have to protect your face from the sun’s uv rays even on cloudy days. I knew both the cleanser and the sunscreen were something I didn’t need to go trial size on so I just bought them full size.
These products helped minimize the look of lines on my face. My skin never feels dry and never feels oily. I started seeing results after about a month of using it day and night. My skin is always so smooth and the light scent of the cleanser makes me want to keep lathering my face just so I can smell it a while longer.
I read an article a while back that the process for applying creams and moisturizers as layers is to start with the lighter weight ones and end with your heavier creams. So after my cleanser I apply the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum all over my face in an outward motion, then I take my Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum and dab it along my outer eyes to tackle any future crows feet trying to come out, and lastly I apply the night cream.
For my day time routine, I again use the cleanser, but substitute all the retinol products with just the Age Balancing Moisture SPF since Retinol is best applied at night.
Things I have noticed since switching over to Murad:
- My skin has more of a glow to it.
- My face has less visible lines.
- My face feels soft and firm. When I do wear makeup, my foundation and powder don’t crease from how hydrated my skin is.
Want a break down of what it will cost to switch over to Murad’s line?
- The Retinol kit retails at $55 at Sephora
- The SPF shown here retails at $74
- The Cleanser in the size that I got is $34
Don’t let those prices intimidate you. These products will last you about 3-4 months so you’re not having to buy them as often throughout the year. The perk about Murad products is that you only need a pea size or dime size for each use because a little will go a long way. Obviously, the trial size retinol kit will run out in about 2-3 weeks so you can switch those out as they run out.
My most favorite part about Murad is that they have expiration dates on some of their products so you know how active the ingredients are before purchasing. Because some don’t, don’t be afraid to ask the store you’re purchasing from what the expiration date or shelf life is before purchasing.
Anyone else swear by other anti-aging products? I’d love to hear about them!
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