Murad Resurgence: Rx for menopausal skin

First of all, here’s the skinny on menopausal skin: It’s one of many symptoms associated with the dreaded M word – that is, menopause (or the period of natural cessation of menstruation, usually between ages 45 and 55). With menopause, the female sex hormone estrogen gets depleted. Declining estrogen levels lead to the weakening of the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin. The result: loss of skin tone, loss of moisture (water content in the cells), breakouts, increase in facial hair and, yes, increase in wrinkles. Renowned skincare authority Dr. Howard Murad calls it "hormonal aging."

Dr. Murad has classified aging into three categories: Aside from hormonal aging, there are the intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Intrinsic aging is the natural aging process where genetics plays a fundamental role – if your parents aged well, chances are you will, too. Extrinsic or environmental aging, according to Dr. Murad, "is the aging that results from the combination of external injury and compromised internal cellular functions (read: sun exposure, smoking, stress, poor diet, and intake of drugs and alcohol).

Outside the telltale physical signs, they say aging is characterized by four things: loss of memory and I forgot the other three.

When somebody tells you you look like a million bucks, he may actually mean you’re green and wrinkled. Then, too, your doctor may tell you you’re not sick – and certainly, you’re not in love. You’re simply suffering from acute "youth deficiency."

Here’s wishful thinking: If God had to give women wrinkles, He could at least have put them on the soles of their feet. But since the good God did not, thank heavens for innovative skin experts like Dr. Howard Murad who’s gone deeper than skin-deep to come up with his Resurgence line, especially designed for women who have made the graceful transition into midlife – warts, wrinkles, age spots and all!

Murad Resurgence has revolutionary formulas to counteract the effects of hormonal aging even as they target the specific symptoms of menopausal skin. Until Resurgence came along, skincare had never specifically addressed the external and internal symptoms women experience during peri-menopause (or pre-menopause).

Says Dr. Murad, founder and CEO of Murad Inc. and author of Wrinkle-Free Forever, "Resurgence contains phytoestrogens, natural substances that mimic the effects of estrogen and are plant-derived. For example, soy is a powerful phytoestrogen; and it is commonly known that in Asia, women eat more soy and experience fewer menopausal complaints. Soy and wild yam, both phytoestrogens, are key ingredients in Resurgence."

Of course, Dr. Murad banked on his tried and tested – and trusted – recipe for healthy skin inside out. The recipe combines antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and hydrating ingredients to protect, calm, and revitalize skin.

Dr. Murad stresses, "I believe that the answer to caring for menopausal skin lies in the use of the antiaging ingredient of the 21st century – water."

He calls it the water principle, which he points out "is not about drinking eight or more glasses of water a day. It’s about getting and maintaining water in the cells, so that the body can function in its full capacity."

Add to that Murad’s four-piece topical regimen featuring unique plant-based ingredients that address different menopausal challenges – from dry, dull skin to excess facial hair, breakouts, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.

So, are you ready for a renewed you?

First, cleanse/tone with the Renewing Cleansing Cream. Massage just a bit of the luxurious, pearlized cream over dampened face and neck. (The cream contains apricot oil to enhance hydration, while its papaya gently exfoliates to reveal a new skin glow.) Rinse with warm water and pat dry. For optimal results, follow with the Age-Diffusing Serum.

Second, treat/repair with the Age-Diffusing Serum. Every day, after cleansing, massage a thin layer of this silky serum over face, neck, and chest. A skin-firming formula, it’s got soy and wild yam extracts, natural phytoestrogens, plus clove flower and iris extracts, glycosaminoglycans, and shiitake mushroom extract to nourish, condition skin – and increase its firmness up to 38 percent in just 10 minutes (the counting starts now) and reduce the appearance of medium-to-deep wrinkles.

For optimal results, follow with a Resurgence day or night moisturizer.

Which brings us to the third step: Hydrate/protect with Sheer Lustre Day Moisture SPF 15. An illuminating lotion, it has avocado oils, evening primrose and borage seed oils, soy, wild yam, clove flower extracts, retinol, and luminescent minerals plus broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

And finally, there’s the Age Balancing Cream, an ultra-rich formula that delivers hydration to the max. It contains chaparral extract that’s clinically proven to slow facial hair growth, soy and wild yam, a complex of omega-3 oils, shea butter, and conditioners.

Dreaming of a "new" face? The Murad Medical Spa offers Dr. Howard Murad’s signature treatment: Resurgence Renewal Facial. This pampering dual-mask treatment includes Murad’s triple Protease Enzyme Mask plus AHA Rapid Exfoliator. For an eye-catching new you, try the Murad Eye Renewal Mask.

Dr. Murad asserts, "Lackluster skin and clogged pores are a direct result of an excessive buildup of cells, and are common during peri-menopause and menopause. The Renewal Facial returns the skin to its natural radiance through a series of advanced mask treatments."

The good skincare doctor cares enough to give all midlifers these all-important tips to help them face the challenges of aging:

• Drink plenty of water (at least five to eight oz. glasses a day).

• Incorporate healthy oils into your diet.

• Cleanse your skin morning and night.

• Avoid soaps, especially deodorant soaps.

• Apply moisturizer morning and night.

• Avoid too much sun exposure.

• Wear sunscreen with at least an SPF 25 whenever possible.

• Try to avoid stress.

Let’s all drink to healthy, graceful aging!

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Dr. Howard Murad’s revolutionary products are available at Rustan’s Essenses.