Beauty Byte: Estee Lauder Might Buy Murad

Murad's slogan is "Where skincare meets healthcare," and soon, the dermatological brand may be meeting up with Estee Lauder, too. According to Women's Wear Daily, the Lauder conglomerate may be considering an acquisition of Murad.

Based in Southern California, the brand was founded in 1989 by namesake Dr. Howard Murad. Murad makes some really great products, but what's really interesting is how this potential deal fits into an overall trend.

Large beauty companies — once focused mainly on makeup — are increasingly buying into the fast-growing market for clinical skincare brands. Earlier this year, Procter & Gamble acquired Doctor's Dermatologic Formula, and Estee Lauder already snatched up another derm-developed brand, Rodan + Fields, in 2003. To me, this points to the future of beauty, wherein women are just as concerned about taking care of their skin than they are about enhancing it with makeup. What do you think?