The Murad Acne Complex Kit is aimed towards individuals who have tried other acne products or kits in the past and have not had success in treating their acne. Since I have tried many over-the-counter acne products and have had very little success, I decided to give the Murad Acne Complex Kit a try and thankfully, I was not disappointed.
The kit includes a Clarifying Cleanser, Exfoliating Treatment Gel and the Skin Perfecting Lotion. From my personal experience, these three products work in perfect harmony and effectively treat acne while maintaining moisture levels and not irritating the skin. After using this product for over five years, I feel as though I have finally found a set of products that will keep my skin consistently clear and acne is no longer a concern of mine. While I have had great success with this kit, I will provide a detailed review of the products included and list all the potential positives and negatives associated with the Murad Acne Complex Kit.
Clarifying Cleanser
After using this cleanser, my skin feels clean and it is not stripped of its natural oils. The menthol is not overpowering and makes my skin look and feel invigorated.
• Contains salicylic acid
This ingredient is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin and promotes the removal of dead skin cells. Since salicylic acid is able to thoroughly penetrate the follicle and is an anti-inflammatory, it keeps pores clear through the regular shedding of dead skin cells. When pores are kept free of debris, the occurrence of acne will significantly decrease.
• Non-abrasive
The Clarifying Cleanser does not contain any harsh abrasives and is extremely gentle on skin.
• No strong chemical odor or perfume smell
Unlike other cleansers that have a strong, overpowering odor, the Clarifying Cleanser has a light scent that is hardly noticeable.
• Kills bacteria
This cleanser contains silver citrate, which has strong antibacterial properties and helps to eliminate acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
• Contains anti-oxidants
Green tea extract and menthol work together to reduce inflammation and calm skin.
Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel
Although this gel is slightly sticky and takes several minutes to dry after it is applied, it is a product that is very effective at treating existing acne and preventing the formation of acne blemishes.
• Acne-fighting ingredients
This acne gel contains a hydrogen peroxide delivery system, which ensures that salicylic acid, retinol and glycolic acid deeply penetrate the pores and keep them clear of acne-causing bacteria and debris.
• Reduces oil production
In addition to improving the skin’s texture, retinol works by decreasing the amount of oil that is produced by the skin.
• Exfoliates skin
Glycolic acid is a mild exfoliant and treats acne by stimulating cell turnover and promoting the removal of dead skin cells.
Skin Perfecting Lotion
I have found this moisturizer to be the perfect complement to the other Murad acne products and it helps to reduce the appearance of pores while providing the perfect amount of moisture to my skin.
• Hydrates skin
Provides an adequate amount of moisture without causing skin to feel or look oily.
• Oil-free
Since the Skin Perfecting Lotion is oil-free, it will not exacerbate acne or cause the occurrence of new blemishes.
• Skin soothing
A mix of botanicals such as Queen of Meadow extract and Arnica help to soothe inflammation and improve the look and feel of skin.
•Minimizes shine
Retinol decreases oil production for skin that is matte and free of excess oils.
Advantages
In my experience, the Murad Acne Complex Kit has numerous advantages when compared to other acne products. I have never found these products to be harsh on my skin and they have never caused irritation. When I first started using the items in this kit, I was able to see a noticeable difference in my skin within one week. I believe these products have the right balance of acne-fighting ingredients and natural botanicals that result in skin that is consistently clear.
Disadvantages
While I did not experience a worsening of my acne when first using these products, it is possible that the exfoliants in these products can purge the skin and may actually worsen acne for a short period of time. This occurs as the active ingredients bring debris and impurities to the surface, which can result in an increase in breakouts. For many who experience this purging process, it is relatively short-lived and skin begins to clear after the process has completed. For others, however, their acne does not improve and gradually worsens over time.
Even though these products successfully treat acne, they are rather expensive when compared with other products obtained over-the-counter. However, since you only need to apply a small amount of the products, they become slightly more cost-effective.
It should also be noted that individuals with sensitive skin may experience an increase in dryness and irritation when first using these products. This can be alleviated by using the exfoliating gel once a day rather than twice a day.
