I recently got the chance to grill Howard Murad on all things beauty. Here's how it went down...
Before studying dermatology, I studied pharmacy. I was also a surgeon in Vietnam. All of these career roads led me to dermatology and eventually to creating the Murad brand.
What inspired you to work in the skincare industry? And how did your career journey begin?
I began compounding my own product formulas when my own patients weren’t getting the results they wanted from the prescriptions and over the counter products that were available at the time. My patients loved the results from the products and the brand really grew from there.
What is your career highlight?
What is your career highlight?
The highlight of my career was developing the concept of a whole-person approach to beauty, health and wellbeing. Through extensive research and the real skin concerns of over 50,000 patients, I scientifically proved that beauty and health are vitally linked and best achieved through a connection between the mind, body and skin that improves skin and overall health through diet, lifestyle and managing stress. This link between science and healthcare inspired me to open the first-ever medi spa where people could receive both dermatological and spa treatments.
My skincare range is a way for me to share my skincare products and professional facial treatments with the world. I think the most exciting thing is that people are beginning to understand the importance of personalised skincare. No one person is the same and, thus, each person should be treated as an individual. That is the way I have always treated my patients and it’s great to see the rest of the industry beginning to move in that direction. At Murad, we are constantly improving our methods to better suit the needs of our customers.
One thing I have always kept in mind is something I always say, “If it’s not a big deal, don’t make a big deal of it.” Most things aren’t a big deal and we tend to spend too much time worrying about the small stuff.
I appreciate the women and men who are finally embracing their natural complexions and staying away from the sun!
What are your grooming essentials?
Choosing a favorite product is like asking me to choose a favorite child: impossible! However, I do love our Intensive-C Radiance Peel. It uses a combination of glycolic acid and vitamin C for superior brightening power. Ten minutes once or twice a week is all you need to see an instant result.
The biggest skin crime a person can commit is to not cleanse properly before bed, which is really the most important time to cleanse. During the sleep cycle, your skin has the time to rest and repair. You therefore want to ensure it has a clean and balanced environment in which to do so. Second, cleanse with a product that is formulated for your specific skin type and concerns. Without proper cleansing, bacteria can survive (and thrive) on your skin, leading to breakouts. Also, the free radicals your skin encounters during the day, from pollution, sun and environmental exposure, can build up, causing tissue damage which leads to accelerated aging.
In terms of a ritual, for me, a daily 3-step regimen that includes cleansing, treating with a serum and moisturizing is important; but in a rush, I would always recommend moisturising with a broad spectrum sunscreen. This will protect your skin from free radical damage and environmental stress that could cause premature aging and fine lines and wrinkles.
What is your top skin tip?
This approach addresses the mind, skin and body and this unique approach to improving skin health focuses on the internal, external and emotional needs of the whole person. Healthy, hydrated cells are the key to ageless skin and a healthy body.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in the industry?
One thing I have always kept in mind is something I always say, “If it’s not a big deal, don’t make a big deal of it.” Most things aren’t a big deal and we tend to spend too much time worrying about the small stuff.
Who is the ultimate beauty icon?
I appreciate the women and men who are finally embracing their natural complexions and staying away from the sun!
What are your grooming essentials?
Choosing a favorite product is like asking me to choose a favorite child: impossible! However, I do love our Intensive-C Radiance Peel. It uses a combination of glycolic acid and vitamin C for superior brightening power. Ten minutes once or twice a week is all you need to see an instant result.
You may be interested to know, since there is a limit to how much vitamin C the body will absorb from food, it is important to bypass the body and deliver this potent nutrient directly to the skin. Applied topically, vitamin C benefits the skin by preventing water loss and keeping the skin moisturised and supple. It promotes elastin and collagen, which are the main building blocks of the dermis and give the skin strength and resiliency. It also neutralises damaging free radicals, which can cause premature ageing, and increases the effectiveness of a topical SPF, protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful rays. It’s a real super star ingredient.
What is the biggest skin crime a person can commit?
The biggest skin crime a person can commit is to not cleanse properly before bed, which is really the most important time to cleanse. During the sleep cycle, your skin has the time to rest and repair. You therefore want to ensure it has a clean and balanced environment in which to do so. Second, cleanse with a product that is formulated for your specific skin type and concerns. Without proper cleansing, bacteria can survive (and thrive) on your skin, leading to breakouts. Also, the free radicals your skin encounters during the day, from pollution, sun and environmental exposure, can build up, causing tissue damage which leads to accelerated aging.
In terms of a ritual, for me, a daily 3-step regimen that includes cleansing, treating with a serum and moisturizing is important; but in a rush, I would always recommend moisturising with a broad spectrum sunscreen. This will protect your skin from free radical damage and environmental stress that could cause premature aging and fine lines and wrinkles.
What is your top skin tip?
I encourage a whole-person approach to your lifestyle which entails:
- Looking Better through high-performance topical skincare products
- Living Better through nutritional care (eating your water), dietary supplements and exercise,
- Feeling Better through managing daily stress and reconnecting with your passions.
For top tip radiant skin, try replacing a glass of water a day with a piece of fruit or vegetables. Think about what happens when we drink eight glasses of water a day – we’re in the bathroom eight times, flushing our system of vital nutrients. Raw fruits and vegetables contain structured water which is released into your system at a slower rate, allowing you to stay hydrated for longer. Cellular water loss is the common pathway to all ageing, disease and wrinkles, so we need to keep our cells healthy, strong and fully hydrated.
We all know that getting deep sleep is one of the best things you can do for your skin and your health. While you sleep, all of the systems in the body repair and regenerate themselves; the skin detoxifies itself overnight too, so it’s important to create an ideal environment to help your body to get a full and restful night’s sleep. I encourage my patients to keep a sleep journal. Think back in the past month, what days did you feel the most energetic? How many hours of sleep did you get the night before? Use that average to determine how many hours of sleep your body ideally needs then aim for that amount at least five days a week. Schedule your sleep like you would your work and stick to it! No matter how effective your skincare products are, not sleeping enough will counteract your efforts to get healthy skin.