Faces by SAM Beauty Blog: Product Review- Murad Brightening Kit

Murad Essential C Line Review

From the Brand:
Step 1- Murad Essential-C Cleanser- Neutralizes environmental aggressors, restores moisture and prepares skin for repair.

Primary benefits:Removes impurities and potential irritants. Binds moisture to skin.

Step 2- Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum- Clinically proven to restore clarity and even skin tone.

Primary benefits:
Reduces the appearance of sun spots and age spots by 33% in 1 week.* Helps prevent the development of new pigmentation.

Step 3- Murad Active Radiance Serum- Renews skin for a smoother, more youthful complexion.

Primary benefits:
Improves brightness, clarity and radiance by 60% in less than one week*.

Step 4- Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA+++- Powerful antioxidant-rich sunscreen shields and restores environmentally stressed skin.

Primary benefits: Blocks UVA/UVB rays to prevent sun and free radical damage. Improves skin's barrier function to maintain optimal hydration.

Retails for:
Step 1- Essential C Cleanser- $36.00
Step 2- Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum- $60.00
Step 3- Advanced Active Radiance Serum- $89.00
Step 4- Essential C Day Moisture-$60.00
Radiant Skin Renewal Set- $45.00

Where to Buy: Murad.com- Save $10 off any $40 Essential-C Skin Care Order. Promo: SAVE10MURAD, Sephora Stores and Sephora.com, Ulta Stores and Ulta.com

My Thoughts:
Step 1- Essential C Cleanser-This is the only one of the set that I haven't fully utlitzed yet. I tried it once just so that I could experience it and have something to say for the blog, but I've been sticking to either my cream cleansers from Boots or gels from Mario Badescu. I like the Clairsonic Mia, and those don't do well with cleansers that foam, and this does produce a nice lather. It has a light scent that's pleasant, and it doesn't dry my skin out. So overall, I think it's nice but can't give an honest thumbs up vs thumbs down. I'd love to know if any of you have found this to be a great cleanser or have had issues. Please share your experiences below!

Step 2- Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum-I'm not a huge fan of how this smells at all! However, it is hydroquinone based, so it's going to literally bleach the pigment from the skin to lighten spots. I've used products with active ingredient in them before with great success, and this is a decent version. The gel absorbs into the skin quickly, but it does leave a slightly sticky residue, so I'd recommend using it at night. Hydroquinone can also sensitize your skin to UV rays, so night time is better anyway. If you're going to use it during the day, I'd layer a good sunscreen over the top to protect your skin. Not only can it cause the skin to get red and burn easier, it can also overactivate the bleaching properties of the chemical and cause permanent white spots on your skin. So remember- SPF is key! I used this for about three weeks and saw a localized lightening of the overall freckles in that area. But really only because I was looking for it, and it was slight. I feel like with continued regular use, this would really even out the overall dark spots on the face.

Step 3- Advanced Active Radiance Serum- I love how quickly this absorbed into my skin, and it really helped to lock in moisture all day. The tube that came in the set seemed to get used up much quicker than the rest of the set, so I'm not sure if I was using too much or somehow I got gypped. Either way, I think I'm going to buy the full size and start using that under my moisturizer during the day to keep my skin from getting too dehydrated this winter. It also has a fresh citrus smell that's more sweet than tangy, and I enjoyed using this.

Step 4- Essential C Day Moisture- I'm glad this has an SPF in it, and it's a great every day moisturizer for during the day. This product lasted the longest of all of them, and I think the size is very generous in the kit. Like the serum, it absorbs quickly with no residue and has a light sweet fresh citrus scent. It's good for people with combination to slightly dry skin, but it doesn't have enough moisturizing effects for my very dry skin on its own.

Final Verdict: Fabulous tester set to get into their vitamin C line! Each of the products is worth the price for the full size.