The Murad Acne Treatment System is one line of specialty products offered by the high-end skin care company Murad, Inc., based in El Segundo, California. Once considered a hard-to-find "niche" brand, Murad products are now seen on the shelves of brick-and-mortar stores such as Sephora and Ulta. Murad, Inc. also has an online presence where its acne treatment products are sold. Here's an overview of the Murad Acne Treatment System products, and what experts and consumers are saying.
About Murad
Murad, Inc. was formed in 1989 by dermatologist Howard Murad, M.D., a specialist in skin care. According to the company's website, Murad's skin care products are formulated based on Dr. Murad's "unified theory of health and aging." Murad's "Customer Bill of Rights" has strong marketing appeal and includes the customer's right to "achieve real results" and "right to 100 percent satisfaction." Murad products, including its acne treatment system, are sold in some 38 countries, including the United States.
Murad Acne Products
Murad's skin care line to treat acne includes a variety of cleansers, toners, treatment gels and oil-free moisturizers. Unlike many skin care lines, Murad makes an Acne Body Wash and Clarifying Body Spray, which help those with acne-prone skin treat areas of the body other than the face. According to the Murad site, its line of acne products address all of the factors that produce acne: build-up of skin cells, excess oil and inflammation. The Murad acne treatment system's cleansers and exfoliants contain glycolic acid, salicyclic acid and retinol, while the antibacterial treatments contain triclosan as an active ingredient. Murad's also contain licorice extract, Vitamin C and a host of natural ingredients.
What Others Are Saying
Paula Begoun, author of "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," criticizes Dr. Murad for failing to include benzoyl peroxide in the Murad acne skin care line. According to the Mayo Clinic, nonprescription cleansers and topical treatments typically contain benzoyl peroxide, as well as sulfur, resorcinol, salicylic acid and lactic acid as active ingredients, all of which can be helpful in treating mild acne. Begoun points out that Dr. Murad's intentional omission of benzoyl peroxide--which can be drying and irritating to the skin--is offset by his inclusion of natural ingredients such as menthol, lime, lemon and peppermint that are known skin irritants.
Consumers Weigh In
When it comes to review of the Murad acne line, users of these products are on the fence about many of the products. Reviews on Makeupalley.com, a site where consumers weigh in on cosmetics, skin care and other beauty products, indicate that some of the Murad acne products are more popular than others. Between 53 and 66 percent of consumers recommend and would repurchase Murad's Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel, Moisturizing Acne Treatment Gel, Anti-Aging Acne Treatment, Skin Perfection Lotion for Acne Prone Skin and Acne Management Gel Moisturizer. However, the Murad Acne Complex, a starter kit of the acne skin care products, received only a 30 percent approval rating, with many consumers noting a failure of the products to reduce acne. In many cases, consumers' acne worsened with use of the products.
Consumer Cost
Murad is known among skin care afficionados as a high-end brand, and this is reflected in the products' prices. The cost of Murad's Clarifying Cleanser and Clarifying Toner is $26 and $22, respectively, while the Post-Acne Spot Lightening Gel costs $60 for 1 fluid oz. Those interested in test-driving the Murad acne products may be best served by purchasing the 30-day introductory kit for $29.95 (excluding shipping) or the 60-day kit for $60. Each kit contains the Murad Clarifying Cleanser, Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel and Skin Perfecting Lotion.
Tags: skin care, acne products, Acne Treatment, Acne Treatment System, acne skin