New year, new skin

When I heard from a girlfriend that taking Dr. Howard Murad's skin supplements made her already-perfect skin more dewy, I decided to try them for myself. This seemed like an unlikely claim owing more to clever marketing than actual results.

Although many products of this ilk have been launched, I know that Dr. Murad is a real doctor who is also a pioneer in the treatment of skin. He was the first to use alpha hydroxy acids in skincare as an exfoliant. He was first to create a medi spa (doctor-supervised beauty spa). He was the pioneer in doctor branded skincare and first to promote antioxidants used internally to heal skin, and as a result, created his own line of supplements. He also came out with a book Wrinkle Free Forever that outlines the proper diet and supplements to take that will not only prevent wrinkles but also improve the ones you already have by 34 percent – all this through inner nutrition and a complementary healthy lifestyle and mindset.

To my pleasant surprise, there were many different kinds of Murad supplements to choose from: a cellulite reducer, a skin hydrator, a youth builder, an acne reducer and a sun protector. The Youth Builder Supplement is what my friend had been using so I chose to try that one plus the Pure Skin Clarifying Supplement for breakouts.

Being in Hong Kong's smoggy air (air that is actually more polluted than Manila's) means toxins abound that can lead to irritation of the skin, breakouts and aging. Not having my regular cherished Belo facials was another contributing factor that meant finding an alternative skincare program would be necessary.

The Youth Builder Supplement claims it is clinically proven to reduce fine lines up to 34 percent in five weeks. It's made up of various antioxidants like grape seed extract, vitamin B6, A, C, E and contains collagen boosters such as glucosamine and amino acid complex. The dosage is two tablets in the morning and two tablets in the evening.

The Pure Skin Clarifying Supplement is clinically proven to reduce breakouts by a massive 55 percent in six weeks! It contains vitamins A, B-complex and zinc to promote healing, prevent clogged pores and reduce inflammation. It also contains yellow dock and burdock root to purify blood and act as internal cleansers. The dosage is also two tablets in the morning and two tablets at night.

It is very important that you don't undergo the two treatments at full dosage simultaneously because the vitamin A content is very high in one treatment alone and can be toxic in too high doses. I decided to self medicate and take one tablet of each day and night.

It is hard to tell if it is solely due to the supplements, but I have had less breakouts, though regular facials are definitely still needed. My skin is not as reactive as before and does seem to have become healthier! I believe that all the wonderful ingredients used in creating these supplements can only do a girl good, especially one who doesn't always eat her five servings of fruit and veggies a day.

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Dr. Howard Murad's skin supplements are available at Rustan's Essenses.