Tip from Customer Care: Breakouts on the body are most common where oil glands are most pervasive: on the back, chest, and shoulders.
Keeping these areas clean is important. Change your sheets and towels frequently. Wear natural fibers closest to your skin - the looser the better. If you perspire heavily, change your clothes more frequently (which may mean for men and boys, switching undershirts halfway through the day). Avoid using fragrance, cologne, perfume or astringents on inflamed areas.
Deep, cystic acne on the body, however, is something that must be treated by your doctor or dermatologist.
Your account | Telephone: 0844 472 7050
There are no products in your shopping cart.
| 0 Items | £0.00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any products that help breakouts on my body?
Why do I need special products for the eye area?
There are two reasons to wear products made for your eye area. First, topical eye products are formulated so that they don't irritate the eyes or the thin skin surrounding it. Second, because the eye area has few, if any, oil glands of its own, it requires more intense hydration than anywhere else on the face.
I’m going on holiday; will it be ok to use these products in that kind of heat?
Yes however as the products are aiding the renewal of skin cells they will not be protected against harmful UVA and UVB rays. You should always use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to avoid any pigmentation marks. If this is on your face I would recommend an oil free sun block or the pomegranate moisturiser SPF 15.
Are red, inflamed breakouts always acne?
There are many chronic or temporary conditions whose symptoms resemble acne:
- Rosacea (acne rosacea)
- Eczema
- Perioral dermatitis
- Razor bumps (folliculitis or pseudofolliculitis).
While these may not involve all of the factors that cause real acne, what they do have in common is inflammation, which is characterized by swelling, redness, heat and pain.
Persistent conditions may require professional treatment. But the good news is that Blemish Complex® products can help here, for they address all the factors of skin breakouts, by reducing cell build-up, excess oil and inflammation.
Can I use these products if I’m pregnant?
The facial products can be used when pregnant but we would not recommend the body products.
Whilst Murad undergoes all possible safety testing for the quality and efficacy of our products, we have not conducted specific testing for pregnant or lactating women. Dr. Murad recommends that women who are pregnant or lactating consult their doctor before using any Murad products.
Why does your skin begin to lose firmness and elasticity as you get older?
As you grow older the strong hollow elastin fibers in your skin that keep your skin firm take on what is often described as a ‘moth eaten' appearance. The fibers also gradually thicken and curl. Normally, elastin fibers reach out to each other with delicate branches. With age, however, they become tough and disorderly and finally degenerate into a tangled mass. As the fine elastic fibers become rigid and thick, the skin looses its elasticity. The elastin fibers become like a bunch of rubber bands that have become dried out and old at the bottom of your desk drawer. There is still the same number, but they do not stretch as far or snap back as quickly, and they break apart easily. These changes in elastin occur in everyone, but in skin that is exposed to UV radiation from the sun, the elastin is very distorted.
What exactly does th hormone estrogen do for the skin?
Estrogen keeps skin soft, firm, and supple by encouraging collagen production and reducing the potential for acne breakouts. Collagen and the elastic fibers that make up skin's structural support are responsible for skin thickness and resiliency. Reduced collagen leads to skin fragility, thinness, wrinkling, and, sagging.
Are tanning beds a good alternative to the sun?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, frequent visits to tanning salons increase your exposure to ultraviolet radiation as well as your risk for skin cancer. 10 or more exposures in a tanning bed in the course of 1 year can increase your risk of melanoma by 7.4 times. UVA radiation (the aging ray) goes into the dermal layer where collagen and elastin fibers are located. These rays are out all year long and can penetrate glass. These are the rays in tanning beds. It's this "aging" ray that breaks down the supportive layer of the skin contributing to deeper lines, wrinkles and loss of skin tone. The only safe way to achieve a tan is by using a self-tanner. Self-tanners have come along way. They no longer streak, smell like chemicals or leave your skin looking anything less than sun-kissed glow.
I am never in the sun, why should I use suncream?
Well, here are some things you may not know about exposure to the sun:
UVA is present every season throughout the year (these are the rays that cause the environmental signs of aging). Cloudy days don't hide UVA rays. The worst exposure can be through clouds.
UVA penetrates through glass: sitting by a window or driving a car can cause damage to your skin. Fluorescent lights in your office and computer screens also may emit damaging UV rays.
The harmful effects of radiation build up over a lifetime. This means that you might not see the damage now, but it will be visible as you age.
What is an SPF, and how do I know how many hours of protection I am getting?
A specific SPF indicates how much longer a person's skin can be exposed to UVB before developing a burn. For example, if you can stay out in the sun for 8 minutes without getting red, and you use an SPF 15, you can now stay out in the sun for 120 minutes (8 X 15 SPF) before developing a burn. Keep in mind, this is a general number, some people will burn faster. Tip: Always apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure.
Are sunglasses beneficial for the skin around my eyes?
Yes, but only if the lenses have strong UV filters on them. Sunglasses help prevent squinting which contributes to crow's feet which is why wraparound lenses are the best. Be aware however, though UV lenses offer partial protection from damaging rays, they can't do the whole job so you'll still need to wear an SPF for the eye area.
My skin always looks awful (and I feel awful too) after I fly. What should I do?
There are a number of things you can do to help jet lag for both your skin and your system:
Avoid foundation makeup for the duration of the flight.
Before boarding apply hydration boosting moisturizer with plenty anti-oxidants and ceramides and an SPF.
Every hour in flight, mist skin with water and reapply moisturizer.
Drink plenty of water (at least 8 oz. for every hour in the air) during the flight to combat dehydration. Bringing your own bottled water is a convenient way to make this easier.
Avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and sodas that all cause dehydration.
Bring your own meal. Airplane food is laden with empty calories, salt (which will leave you bloated and puffy), sugar, hydrogenated fats, and preservatives. Pack your own tasty and healthy alternative.
If you can sleep on the plane, do it. If you can't, relax and don't worry.
How can I decrease my pore size?
Unfortunately, pore size is genetically determined. By using a good skincare regimen with daily exfoliation, hydration, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories, your pores will definitely appear smaller.
Are diet and nutrition important factors in the health of my skin?
Absolutely! Overall proper nutrition is still an important tool for the health of your skin. It is important to drink lots of water and eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and nutrient rich foods to maintain the health of your skin. Supplements can also help benefit your skin. As you may already know, there are so many factors that exist today that didn't exist several years ago. Today's population is exposed to so much more environmental damage such as smog, stress, smoke, chemicals, and other pollutants. Nutritional needs have changed as well. Often times your will not get all the nutrition your skin needs with your average daily intake of food. Most people need additional supplementation to provide skin with the nutrients it needs to stay balanced and healthy.
How does water relate to skin health and appearance?
Through his research in The Science of Cellular Water™, Dr. Murad has conclusively demonstrated that the key to youthful good health and appearance is the ability of each cell, in your skin and throughout your entire body, to hold the water it needs to function optimally. That’s why he recommends topical care to improve the strength of your skin as a moisture barrier and recommends Internal Skin Care® to help your body build strong, water-tight cell membranes.
Do I need to use a moisturizer if I have oily, acne-prone skin?
Absolutely. The most important thing to remember about moisturisers is that they are water and not grease. Even oily skin needs water. In fact, when acne-prone skin gets dehydrated, it may often product more oil in response, therefore resulting in increased breakouts.
Do rich, greasy foods cause acne?
No, but overall proper nutrition is still an important tool for the health of your skin (to say nothing of the health of your body). Drink lots of water and eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and nutrients rich in Vitamin A to help normalise the production of dead skin cells, a key factor in acne breakouts.
Why do I still get a reaction from certain cosmetics even though they are adverised as 'hypoallergenic'?
'Hypo' means ‘less' so though there may be fewer irritants, they're all not completely absent. Generally, the term ‘hypoallergenic' is beauty industry shorthand for ‘fragrance free', which is always a good idea for sensitive skin.
What's the difference between a sensitive reaction and an allergic one?
Excellent question because people often confuse the two. A sensitive reaction only occurs on the area of application, is dose dependent (that is, substance amount has a direct relationship with the reaction), and manifests immediately. An allergic reaction, however, elicits a systemic response that may occur all over the body and can be triggered even by the smallest amount. An allergic reaction often has a delayed onset as well.
Why do I have dark spots left over from healed blemishes?
These are called hyperpigmentation resulting from post-inflammatory response and are caused by the inflammation that assaulted the skin. Discoloration can range from red to dark brown, depending on your skin tone, and can take weeks to fade.
As a blemish heals, excess pigment is generated in the area where the trauma occurred. These superficial pigmented scars will heal faster with the help of anti-inflammatory ingredients such as zinc, black cohosh, licorice and green tea contained in some acne treatments. Products high in Vitamin C are also ideal to fade unwanted pigmentation. To prevent hyperpigmentation in the first place, use SPF 15 sun protection on exposed areas (or those covered only by sheer fabrics) and reapply throughout the day.