Murad

There's no way about it, the recession is depressing. If you need a bit of good news to combat the doom and gloom, here you go: Murad is giving away free samples of its Sleep Reform Serum. The anti-aging treatment promises to moisturize and firm skin while you sleep, using topical melatonin to calm your complexion while you snooze. I haven't tried it, but my mom and I are both fans of Murad's Intensive Wrinkle Eraser — and really, if it's free to try out, why not do it?

One of the best ways to brighten your skin is to incorporate a product with glycolic acid into your skin care regimen. You're probably tired of hearing about my Jan Marini cleanser, but its pH-balanced, 12% glycolic formula has done wonders for me. But even if you don't want to use a glycolic product every day, the occasional one-off treatment can exfoliate dead skin and produce a healthier glow.

After my dinner with Dr. Murad, I went home with a sample of his Intensive Resurfacing Peel ($165). The pricey product contains glycolic and salicylic acids to reveal smoother skin; the formula is contained in 16 separate ampoules to use over a four-week period. But I found that after leaving it on my face for about 10 minutes, I already saw smoother, softer, glowier skin; to make the product last, I get two uses out of each ampoule, which makes the hefty cost a little more justifiable.

Of course, a drugstore version promises to deliver amazing results, too. To find out whether it lives up to the marvy Murad product, read more

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not having some sort of fantastical beauty dream. Last night was one of those times, as I was invited to a dinner with Dr. Howard Murad. Yes, that Dr. Murad. He was in town to fete the opening of the spa at the InterContinental Hotel, where his products and techniques are incorporated into skin-care treatments. (Never have I sat at a table among people with skin that beautiful. Never, ever.)

After meeting Dr. Murad, it's easy to understand why he's such a popular dermatologist. He's a gentleman, he's friendly, and he sincerely loves talking about skin. While enjoying beet salad, I asked him what we can do to have healthier skin. For a few of his tips for a beautiful complexion, read more

Welcome back to my series on firming beauty products. Today's topic is body creams. Before we go any further, you need to know that no cream can actually remove cellulite. By following a healthy lifestyle you can shrink lipids, but topical creams will only work to stimulate your skin and temporarily help smooth the appearance of cellulite. Below are three that I've tried.

Benefit Jiggle Gel ($26) is a toning, firming, and hydrating moisturizer for your hips, thighs, tummy, arms, and booty. It claims to act as an "invisible girdle." I can't attest to it being quite that effective, but the mental image definitely worked to help me feel firmer. Simply smooth it onto your body and allow it to dry. I just read that it's also recommended to help reduce swelling after long flights, so it might be good for frequent fliers.


For two more body firming creams, read more

The Murad name is synonymous with clear skin, and for good reason: Not only has Murad's Acne Complex Kit proven to decrease breakouts of more than 90 percent of the participants in an independent study, but more than two million have been sold. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding (if the pudding looked like your flawlessly clear face)! Luckily for you, fair reader, Murad is giving you an opportunity to try the first step in the regimen, the Clarifying Cleanser, for free.

The Clarifying Cleanser is a gentle, cooling cleanser that is especially good at calming irritated skin. It does this with the help of salicylic acid, which is a known acne fighter, triclosan which removes surface bacteria, and menthol which is both cooling and antiseptic. It also happens to be Murad's best-selling cleanser.

If you want to try a travel-size sample, click here, but hurry supplies are limited.

Thanks to Murad for sponsoring this post.

This Murad Vitamin C Infusion Home Facial Kit ($70) is a weekly treatment that helps fight sun damage, dehydration, dull skin and signs of aging. I think this is a really great, complete DIY kit that can improve the condition of your skin. Also, it so happens to fit in fabulously as an addition to last week's series on vitamin C beauty products!

The kit comes with enough product to last you for four weeks. And after each treatment, you should see a healthier, brighter and firmer complexion. Everything is made from pure vitamin C, retinyl palmitate (to help with increased skin cell regeneration) as well as glycerin and beta carotene (to condition skin).

Inside the kit you'll find:

• Four Pure Vitamin C Treatment Powder Packets
• Four Pure Vitamin C Treatment Gel Packets
• Cellular Replenishing Serum
• Mixing Tray
• Fan Brush for easy and even application

The new Murad Clarifying Body Spray ($35) is a fantastic product for summer, since you are constantly exposing your skin to the world. Bouts of body acne can be embarrassing and make you feel self-conscious— but worry no more, now you can bare it all.

This spray contains salicylic acid, retinol, allantoin and triclosan, which all work together to combat bothersome body acne. Not only will it prevent new breakouts from forming but it will also heal, treat and soothe—all the while maintaining the clarity of your skin. Also, the spray bottle is a simple but smart idea because it helps you make contact with those hard-to-reach areas. What else can I say? Gimme-gimme spot treatment!

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?

Summer days are coming soon, so to get your lips primed, I asked you all to spend last week Beauty Marking good lip glosses with sun protection. (To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.)

I'm always pleasantly surprised when I find lip glosses with sunscreen, and I knew that you guys would find a lot of great options that I didn't know about. You can see all of the SPF lip gloss Beauty Marks here, or check out my reader favorites below.

Beauty Mark #1: Kiehl's Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15 ($8.50), found by Precious p, YumSugar, and Katiey424, who says the subtle, shiny color is "easy to throw in my bag — won't melt like Chapstick. Perfect for the summer!"

Beauty Mark #2: E.L.F. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 ($1), found by Hulachic and Lovealways, who says: "Lip gloss and spf 15 for only $1.00. What more could you want?"

Two more SPF glosses, so read more