White knight

There are so many whitening products on the market today but some have dubious claims, others are harsh on skin while a few have serious side effects. How do you know which one to trust?

When it comes to your skin, the only person you can trust is a dermatologist with the proper training and a proven track record, particularly when buying over-the-counter cosmeceuticals.

Howard Murad, MD, for instance, is one successful dermatologist in the United States who founded his own medi-cosmetic empire, Murad Inc. An associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA, Murad has come to be known as a pioneer in the industry and the Father of Glycolic Acid, the Science of Cellular Water and Inclusive Health.

“Dr. Murad has an Inclusive Health Spa and medical practice in California where he still actively sees patients,” says Julieta Vidal-Lubin, global Inclusive Health operations manager for the Murad Inclusive Health Medical Group, who was in town recently to launch the latest products at Murad Medi-Spa in Rustan’s Makati. “He looks at skin as a whole, treating your body one cell at a time. He’s all about the science of cellular water and getting it into skin, because the more water you have in your cells, the healthier you are.”

According to Lubin, Murad’s three pillars for achieving inclusive health are:

1. Skin care — Taking care of your epidermis by using topical products;

2. Internal care — “Eating your water rather than drinking it through a diet of raw grains, fruits and vegetables, essential fatty acids, lecithin, and amino acids — all are fantastic for cells,” Lubin says; and

3. Emotional care — “Your body needs rest so that you feel better,” she says. “You have more water in your cells when you’re relaxed and look more beautiful.”

Murad’s latest innovation is White Brilliance, a three-step line that gently addresses all whitening issues. “A lot of Asians have problems with freckles, discoloration, dark spots, acne scarring, and wrinkles,” she says. “White Brilliance has 3X technology to treat hyperpigmentation in three different ways: it has antioxidants like vitamin C to brighten skin, trace minerals and amino acids to help improve the skin repair system; a gentle exfoliator to slough off the dark dead skin; and inhibitors that block tyrosinase, the enzyme that controls the formation of melanin, to diminish current pigment issues and prevent future pigment issues from developing.”

Thanks to the unflagging demand for whitening in the region, White Brilliance is only being launched in Asia. Lubin introduces me to the three products in the range:

1. The Gentle Cleanser — Rich in moisturizers so it’s kind to skin, this washes away impurities while prepping the skin’s surface for maximum absorption of the lightening agents to follow. “White Brilliance topically improves skin integrity,” says Lubin.

2. Wrinkle and Pore Refining Treatment — This tightens and helps refine pores with lentil seed extract and Palmaria palmata, a red algae that blocks the pigmentation process, called melanogenesis. “This blocks the whole cycle of melanin and exfoliates the dead, pigmented cells,” she says. “It’s very gentle and mild; not harsh, like other whiteners.” Another beautifying ingredient is powder culled from ocean pearls for an immediate brightening effect.”

3. Illumination Day Moisture SPF 30 PA+++ - This very lightweight moisturizer has chemical and physical sunblocks that fully protect you from UVA and UVB. “The PA +++ is internationally recognized to help against aging rays, which injure the skin and stimulate the enzyme that causes pigmentation.” An added plus is pearl powder to instantly lighten and illuminate your complexion, making you look radiant instead of kabuki.

“We did clinical studies on White Brilliance Wrinkle and Pore Treatment, and found it improves elasticity, firmness and the size of pores by 62 percent in 28 days,” relates Lubin. “You can use White Brilliance to strengthen your skin, reverse hyperpigmentation and stop it from forming, which is the Murad difference,” Lubin declares.

To demonstrate the efficacy of the Murad philosophy, we get to try one of his most popular facials, the AHA Alpha Hydroxy Acid Glycolic treatment for fine lines, discoloration and dead cells. (The White Brilliance line was still not officially available that day.)

My therapist begins by taking off my makeup, then exfoliating dead skin cells with two kinds of cleansing. Murad’s cleansers all have cool, velvety textures that smell wonderful, like fresh fruit. Then she steams my face for extractions before slathering on the star product: Murad’s Intensive Resurfacing Peel with glycolic and salicylic acids, which is applied via a relaxing massage with lots of rolling movements.

“We put lots of humectants and hydrators in this facial, plus a massage for inclusive health,” notes Lubin proudly.

After 10 minutes for the product to sink in, my therapist gently wipes the traces away and glosses my lips with Murad’s award-winning Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector SPF 15, which instantly soothes my chapped mouth. I leave the spa with smooth, glowy skin, but what’s even more amazing is that three days later, my complexion still looks poreless and feels as velvety as if I had just had the facial.

You definitely can’t deny the Murad difference.

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Murad White Brilliance is available at Rustan’s Essenses in Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La Plaza, Alabang Town Center (ATC), Robinsons Place and Gateway.

Murad facials and other treatments are available at the Murad Medi-Spa on the fifth floor of Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s ATC.