Murad

Between the nose-blowing from that cold you can't kick to the frigid Winter wind that's whipping around your face, your skin is taking on a lot of stress. A good moisturizer will help keep things in check, and Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisturizer ($65) is just what the doctor ordered. The thick and creamy lotion penetrates skin's surface, effectively wicking away any trace of dryness or flakiness. Shea butter and retinyl palmitate smooth out and improve texture, while collagen perks up dull skin. And with no greasy residue, there's nothing to keep you from slathering it on day after day. So don't be afraid to show face this Winter.

Windburned skin, sun exposure, and breakouts are just some of the reasons skin can get riled up. Luckily, Murad has found a way to calm an irritated complexion in a snap with its Overnight Soothing Gel ($30). Formulated with peppermint oil to cool and quell discomfort, this light gel goes on like a serum, without being drying, flaky, or tacky to the touch. Witch hazel and Canadian willow herb take the redness down, while vitamin E tells blotchy skin to get lost. Scent-sensitive folk will love that this barely fragranced (just a tiny hint of mint) treatment won't keep them up all night. Best of all, this anti-inflammatory doesn't just put the fire out, but it prevents it from starting in the first place. It's what beauty sleep is all about.

No need to change your foundation one shade up this Summer when you can get a faux glow in seconds — orange tones and unsightly jawline streaks not included. All it takes is a little bronzing liquid, like Murad's Absolute Bronzing Boost SPF 15 ($38). The spreadable, easy-to-build-upon cream can be worn over moisturizer as a replacement for foundation or mixed in with your base to add warmth, depth, and a subtle sheen to your complexion.

You can even use the oil-free bronzer in lieu of a powder bronzer. Just apply about a quarter-sized amount to a stippling brush and tap it into the skin where bronzing is needed (typically where the sun would naturally hit your face). What you'll get is a natural-looking glow, not to mention regret-free "tanning." Talk about safe sunning.

If you're one who doesn't like to fuss with a lot of products, then you'll love Murad's Intensive — C Radiance Peel ($50), from the brand's new Environmental Shield line. Use it just once or twice a week (at 10 minutes each application), and skin is left with just about every adjective you want it to be: bright, smooth, luminous, and supple.

The reasons? Glycolic acid helps to exfoliate, while vitamin C and Indian fig free help protect the complexion from free radicals. And thanks to the addition of collagen-boosting myrtle extract, skin gets a surge of rejuvenation. The peel smells amazing, too, like an orange and grapefruit stand on a warm, sunny day. Don't be frightened by the tingling sensation that occurs almost immediately after application, though. It's just the ingredients doing what they're supposed to be doing. How's that for a little clarity?

Most primers succeed at smoothing out skin at a basic level, a few stand above the rest. If you have oily- or acne-prone skin, you might want to give Murad's Skin Perfecting Primer Acne and Shine Control ($35) a try. Formulated with salicylic acid to help keep pores clear, this matte-finish multitasker helps reduce and prevent breakouts. (Although it's not a substitute for your regular skin care regimen.) And because it's universal in color, it will match your skin tone to a T; you can even get away with wearing it with very little concealer or foundation on top. Oh, and if you're someone who gets oil slicks so major you've considered alerting the EPA, you'll love the way this primer helps put a stop to excess shine.

I've been using Murad's new Complete Reform ($67), from its Age Reform line, for almost a month and it's made my skin look unbelievably smoother, brighter, and clearer, all while making it softer to the touch.

Formulated with glycolic acid to help exfoliate and tone, along with Glyco Firming Complex to increase the firmness of the skin and beta carotene to help fight fine lines, the product does all of the above, but without leaving behind any tightness, pilling, or shininess. Think of it as an instant de-dullifier.

Thanks to its light texture, it goes on very evenly, and it feels amazing as you're putting it on, almost like your skin is waiting to just soak it all up. It's also weightless on the skin and has just a hint of subtle citrus aroma, so you won't be smelling (or feeling) it all day long.

While you'll still likely want to put a moisturizer on after for extra hydration, you can get away with using this treatment on its own in a pinch. It won't solve each and every one of your skin problems, but for its ability to illuminate the skin, improve its texture, and leave it fresh and rejuvenated, Complete Reform comes highly recommended.

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion ($33) promises to hydrate and protect blemish-prone and oily skin without breaking you out, and reader nursesarah can't get enough of the stuff. She says:

"This is my favorite moisturizer by far. I've tried a lot of them, and this is the lightest, airiest lotion, but it still does its job and makes your skin feel silky smooth and quenched. I worry about occasional zits and oil, and since using this lotion, my skin has been almost blemish free. Being without it for even a few days, I can feel and see a difference in the smoothness of my skin."

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