We here at Well+Good have tried, tested, and reviewed plenty of skin-care brands over the years. Since our launch in 2010, we’ve been dedicated to providing our honest thoughts on the latest-and-greatest beauty devices, internet-hyped celebrity beauty brands, and viral facial treatments, giving you the lowdown on what products are worth the price tag and which ones you can afford to skip.
One of the more consistently-featured skin-care brands on our site is Murad. While some skin-care brands are hit-or-miss, Murad continues to deliver amazing results time and time again. Originally launched by world-renowned dermatologist Howard Murad, MD, the brand is behind some of our favorite products, including the Soothing Oat and Peptide Cleanser, which was with eczema in mind; the Dark Spot Correcting Serum, which expertly targets hyperpigmentation, and the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, which is formulated in a way that makes high-impact retinol friendly for all skin types.
That’s why we’re *so* excited to share that from now until November 27, you can score major discounts on all of the brand’s best serums, cleansers, skin treatments, and moisturizers during the Murad Black Friday Sale. Everything on the site—including the brand-new, editor-beloved Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Serum—is 30 percent off when you enter the code BF2023 at checkout.
To sweeten the savings, Murad is also offering a free full-size Hydro Dynamic Ultimate Moisturizer (usually worth $83) with purchase while supplies last! Lightweight yet deeply hydrating, this daily moisturizer is formulated with hyaluronic acid, coconut extract, and shea butter to give dry skin its bounce back.
Whether you’re looking to buy a new winter moisturizer for yourself or want to spoil the skin-care enthusiast on your holiday shopping list, Murad has something for everyone.
What are you waiting for?! Your best skin is still ahead of you.
6 items we’re buying at the Murad Black Friday Sale
Original price: $86
Skin types: Dry, severely dry, or sensitive skin types
What it does: Calms dry, irritated skin + hydrates
Got dry, cracked, angry winter skin?
Then consider this luxurious, deeply moisturizing Intense Recovery Cream your new best friend. Made with micro-algae extract, shea butter, and macadamia oil, this cream works hard to reduce visible signs of stress caused by environmental factors.
Former Well+Good commerce director and LA-based writer Gina Vaynshteyn previously wrote about how nourishing the cream was. “It was the tall drink of water my skin desperately needed—and it worked,” she says.
According to holistic esthetician Shani Hillian, one of the cream’s ingredients, mirabilis jalapa, is a great calming agent for irritated skin. “It has soothing benefits and also includes stimulating ceramides to reinforce skin barrier,” she previously told Well+Good. “Overdoing retinol can wreak havoc to the skin barrier and cause major dryness and damage. This plant helps rebuild and repair barriers.”
Pros:
- Ultra-creamy formula
- Made with shea butter and macadamia oil to deeply moisturize skin
- Calms irritation and reduces dryness caused by stress and environmental factors
Cons:
- May be too heavy for oily skin types
Original price: $105
Skin types: Balanced, oily, dry, combination
What it does: Targets mild-to-moderate aging lines, jowls, and sagging skin
In a previous article for Well+Good, LA-based beauty writer Marie Lodi raved about how the Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment effectively diminished the appearance of the fine lines on her chest. After a few weeks of use, Lodi reported that skin appeared smoother, felt softer, and was noticeably tighter than it was prior to use.
Board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, backs up her results. The Alabama-based derm told Well+Good that “retinal is stronger than retinol, and is often found at a lower concentration than retinol due to its potency; the benefits are greater and faster than traditional retinols.”
Along with encapsulated retinal, this super-star treatment is made with Kangaroo paw flower extract, a firming agent, and skin-supporting olive, oat, and alpha glucan.
Pros:
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- More effective than retinol
- Lightweight, non-greasy, and absorbs well
Cons:
- May take several uses to notice a difference
Original price: $79
Skin types: All skin types
What it does: Targets specific fine lines and wrinkles
The Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector combines the plumping power of bioavailable hyalouronic acid with elasticity-boosting, wrinkle-reducing hexapeptides. Meant to target forehead lines, crow’s feet, areas around the mouth, and the area between the eyebrows, Murad touts this hydrating treatment as an effective alternative to injectable dermal fillers.
“Topical treatments are an important part of your anti-aging regimen,” Shirley Chi, MD, a California-based dermatologist previously told Well+Good. “They’re very good for prevention.”
Pros:
- Good for all skin types
- Targets specific areas
- Offers short- and long-term skin smoothing
Cons:
- May not be powerful enough for deep-set wrinkles
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Original price: $83
Skin types: Balanced, oily, combination, and dry
What it does: Brightens skin + targets dark spots
This dark spot corrector exfoliates dull skin, evens out uneven skin tones, and targets stubborn dark spots that result from hyperpigmentation. Formulated with glycolic acid, tranexamic acid, and Murad’s patented Resorcinol Technology antioxidant, this serum even helps to prevent future discoloration.
According to beauty writer Kara Jillian Brown, the Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum vanishes dark spots as promised. “I’m at the top of my third week using the Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum and my dark spots are nearly gone,” Brown previously wrote for Well+Good. “What I love most about this product is that it does what it says it does and does it without irritating my skin. I’ve tried different acids and retinols that hurt to apply or have left my skin flaky enough that the pain wasn’t even worth it.”
Pros:
- Prevents future sun spots and discoloration
- Exfoliates and brightens dull skin
- Reduces the appearance of stubborn dark spots with repeated use
- Gentle on sensitive skin
Cons:
- Formula can make skin susceptible to harmful UV rays, so it needs to be paired with sunscreen
Original price: $38
Skin types: Balanced, oily, combination, dry, and sensitive
What it does: Minimizes acne scars + discoloration
The InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment from Murad made our list of best skin-care serums, and for good reason.
This powerful-yet-affordable serum specifically targets post-acne scars, improving their texture, discoloration, and depth. It’s made with salicylic acid, which acts as a powerful exfoliant, and vitamin C, which brightens dark spots left behind by pimples. This serum is also made with blurring powder to instantly reduce the appearance of uneven skin texture.
Pros:
- Great for most skin types
- Salicylic acid and vitamin C work to reduce scar appearance and texture
- Contains blurring agents that immediately improve the appearance of uneven skin texture
Cons:
- While effective, it’s not as powerful or long-lasting as skin resurfacing treatments
Original price: $97
Skin types: Balanced, oily, combination, dry, and sensitive
What it does: Smooths stress lines + combats under-eye puffiness / dark circles
The Murad Revitalixer Recovery Serum isn’t *just* an anti-aging serum: It doubles as an under-eye treatment, too.
Formulated with caffeine and cannabis sativa oil, this sphere-infused serum fights under-eye puffiness and dark circles while soothing and softening dull skin. Neuropeptides work to relax expression lines while niacinamide refines skin texture.
Murad founder and world-renowned dermatologist Howard Murad, MD, previously told Well+Good that this serum was designed to combat ‘cultural stress’, acting as a skin reset for complexions that have been affected by stressors at work, home, and beyond.
Pros:
- Good for most skin types
- Caffeine reduces under-eye puffiness and dark circles
- Neuropeptide, paracress and cannabis sativa seed oil smooth and soften stress lines
Cons:
- Has added fragrance, which may irritate some sensitive skin types