As a product reviewer, you're often called upon to try things that are a little out of the norm for you. Quite often, I will take these products on and the challenges that they present, just to see if they do what they claim they can do.
Reading the directions, it basically said that this is a skin lightening regiment. It would reduce the appearance age spots and skin discoloration through a three step process.
Step 1- The Essential C Cleanser: Wash your face with this cleanser both morning and night. I also washed my shoulders and neck with it, since that's where all my freckles and age spots are.
I can't say that I did this 100% of the time, but I definitely did my best to stick to the routine. I'd wash my face both night and day (typically in the shower for one, and then just a quick wash the second time) pretty much every single day. There might have been a day or two when I didn't exactly wash my face in the morning, or before bed. I just work too much and don't have the time to follow these types of routines. But nonetheless, I did wash my face at least ONCE with the face wash, every single day, since I've had this. I really like this face wash. It has a light, citrus scent to it and makes my skin feel soft.
Step 2- Rapid Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum: Use the Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum all over your face, neck and shoulders. A little bit goes a long way. Do this both morning and evening.
The Rapid Age Spot & Pigment lightening Serum was probably my favorite option for Step 2. The serum goes on smoothly and quickly. A little bit goes a long way. I seriously just squirted about 2 drops onto my hand and covered my face; put one drop on each shoulder and rubbed it into my shoulder and up to my neck. That pretty much covered everything. Again, much like step 1, I can't guarantee I did this 2 times a day, but I definitely did it at least 1 time a day, and I know sometimes I did this step twice in a day, even on the days I didn't wash my face twice. It was just an easy step and went by quickly. It dries pretty quickly, so there was really nothing to it.
Step 2A-Intensive C Radiance PEEL: Use this in place of the Rapid Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum. Leave it on your face for about 10 minutes. It DOES tingle. Rinse with warm water and wash cloth.
Step 2A was probably really my LEAST favorite. 10 minutes? I don't really HAVE 10 minutes. I work 3 jobs, I have a kid in Cub Scouts, I do product reviews. I have a boyfriend whom I rarely make time for. I do volunteer work at the USO. I feel like 10 minutes was asking too much. Granted, I should take those 10 minutes and love it. But yeah..... So I think I did the face peel maybe twice during this time frame. Both at night, while I'm sitting at home doing product reviews. It tingled. At first, it was tingle overload and made me uncomfortable, but I think that's just because I didn't know what to expect. It really wasn't THAT bad, the second time. It rinses off easily. My face was sort of red after I did it, but it went away quickly.
Step 2B-Active Radiance Serum: Use this in place of the Rapid Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum. Massage it over your clean face, neck, and chest. Allow it to dry completely.
The Active Radiance Serum was my next favorite after the Rapid Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Serum. A little bit goes a long way. Just massage it into your face, neck, and chest (and shoulders) and let it dry. Then you're done. I try to do this at least once, maybe twice a week. I typically do this step before bed. It just seems like the right time to do it. Let it work it's magic while I'm asleep.
Step 3-Essential C Day Moisturizer: Apply this to your Face, neck and chest, after your choice of step 2. Make sure your face is dry when you do this.
The Essential C Day Moisturizer. When I read the directions, it said "Apply liberally". I really used way too much the very first time I did this. My face felt so greasy and gross. I seriously had to wash it all off and try again. You really don't need a lot of this to get the full effect of it. My face feels hydrated and fresh all day long when I use this. Again, I fail at daily routines, so I didn't use this EVERY day, but I tried. It's just some mornings are busier than others and omitting this one little moisturizing step saves me a few minutes. Overall, I used it almost daily and really liked how it felt. ***If you put this on, while your face is still wet with the lightening serum on it, it gets chunky and peels off of your face like glue. I've had this happen a few times. So make sure you let the serum dry completely.***
Now, how did it actually work as a skin lightening regiment? Honestly, I can't say it's perfect. Part of the issue is that I tried to take some Before and After pictures for my own tracking purposes and well, my phone is awful at taking pictures and the lighting is even worse at my house. I THINK I can tell a difference in the colors of my age spots and freckles, but I can't really be certain. There definitely isn't a Night and Day color difference; at least not from what I can see. But I see my skin every day.
I asked my boyfriend if he noticed any difference and of course I got the typical man response "Babe, it doesn't matter, you always look good to me." Thanks, BABE, but that's totally not the right answer this time. Good job for trying.
I see my skin every day, so I'm not going to notice a big change. I'm hoping once I get the photos post on here, I can get a better side-by-side comparison and see what's really going on. I do think my face is just generally more pale, which I'm okay with. I don't have to have a tan to feel confident.
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| Age Spot March 4, 2016 |
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| Age Spot February 13, 2016 |
More about Murad and my time with it.
Murad was created to treat skin discoloration from the sun, genetics, hormones and inflammation. I have some SEVERE discoloration in my neck from spending too much time in the sun, as a child. I get red and splotchy, uneven colored skin constantly. Since I've been using the Murad, yes, I am still red and splotchy, constantly, but it's not nearly as bad as it has been. My skin tone seems to even out a bit more and blotchiness isn't as noticeable to others (I will always notice it). To me, that's enough to be a firm believer that something in this is really working.
I have received this Murad for free, for my honest review, from BeautyStat.
§ 90-Day Rapid Lightening Regimen product
§ Rapid Lightening Regimen information
Murad Rapid Lightening Regimen Giveaway
