babyassface: a cleanser for environmentally damaged skin?

February 04, 2009

a cleanser for environmentally damaged skin?

My first encounter with Murad products was a bad one. A hotel I was staying at had sample sizes of some of them, which I thought were free.

So I used pretty much all of them, only to later find the price tent card had fallen behind the basket. Turns out I was going to have to sell some organs to pay for the obscenely-priced samples. Since then I’ve been afraid to even look at Murad products for fear of receiving a bill in the mail.

But a friend of mine just recently started using some of their products and highly recommended them, so I decided to get a free sample of the Essential-C Cleanser from Sephora (where it got 5 stars from everyone who reviewed it.)

Murad claims its antioxidant-rich formula cleanses and re-hydrates environmentally damaged skin.

The concept appealed to me, because if my filthy air purifier filter is any indication, my face must look like I ride a bike behind this bus all day.

Yes, I realize the “environmentally damaged” concept is probably just a marketing ploy (but they deserve some credit for coming up with an original one).

From the first time I washed my face with this cleanser I knew it was my new favorite. Not only did it leave my skin looking and feeling clean, but it also looked clearer and oddly even-toned.

My skin was firm, but not tight and it felt perfectly hydrated without feeling like it had been externally moisturized. The best part though was it left my skin feeling softer than it’s ever felt (and the feeling lasts all day).

I couldn’t stop touching my face, which probably just made my skin greasy, but I didn’t even mind, because that meant I’d get to wash it again with the Essential-C Cleanser. I don’t know if there’s a name for this disorder yet, but I’m guessing it’d be in the obsessive-compulsive family.

It’s expensive but I think it’s worth it. Do yourself a favor and get a free sample at Sephora. I promise it’s free and you won’t end up secretly being charged for it and having to take out a second mortgage on your home.