More than Skin Deep

Melinda O’Brien

Founder of Murad, Inc., Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, has changed the face of skincare by devoting his life to making beautiful, healthy skin attainable for everyone. When Luxury Life & Style caught up with the doctor, a South Bay resident, we were reminded why we are so proud and fortunate to have this health and beauty industry leader so close to home.

Melinda O’Brien: Over the course of the last 20 years, you have pioneered groundbreaking skincare concepts that are now commonplace. However, I suspect when you introduced the use of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) in some of your products that it must have been perceived as a radical move. Was this the case?
Dr. Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD: When I started to offer AHAs to enhance skin health and appearance, people were alarmed by the idea of an acid on the face. Now AHAs are so common that no one bats an eye, and people are much more open to seeing the value in new ingredients.

MO: What is the strangest ingredient you have experimented with in your skincare formulas, and did it produce the desired results?
HM: The strangest ingredient I have experimented with is the Durian Fruit. It looks like a thorny football and its raw flesh has a shockingly strong sulfur smell. During my travels though Asia, I found that Durian was being used in a variety of ways in traditional medicine. So, I was delighted to discover that it could improve the performance of the skincare treatment formulas in our Intensives line.

MO: Your research and clinical studies into The Science of Cellular Water™ have established you as an international authority on the aging process. Is it true that your findings in this area have enabled you to develop a multi-disciplinary approach to help the body create stronger, healthier cells?
HM: I have developed a multi-disciplinary approach to aging care and wellness enhancement that advances health from the cellular level up. My Inclusive Health™ Philosophy approaches cellular improvement from three directions: topical skincare that improves barrier strength and cell turn over; Internal Skincare™ that gives the body the nutritional building blocks it needs to create strong, healthy cells; and emotional self-care which helps the body and mind to recover from stress to reduce the body’s free radical load.

MO: I want to put your Firm and Tone Serum for cellulite and stretch mark management in the product spotlight. Will you please explain how this treatment works?
HM: Cellulite is caused by decreased circulation that deprives the skin’s dermal layer of the nutrients it needs to stay strong. When the dermal layer is weakened, fat migrates up from the subdermal layer and creates the cottage cheese effect. Firm and Tone Serum contains cayenne pepper and goji berry to help improve circulation while repairing existing cellulite damage and preventing new damage. Since the appearance of cellulite is minimized by the combination of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and hydrators found in this serum, this product is an ideal weapon against cellulite.

MO: Would you mind sharing the key points of your personal daily skincare and overall health regimen with our readers?
HM: I do my best to follow my Inclusive Health Philosophy. As such, a good attitude is the most important part of my daily routine. My philosophy on life is “Why have a bad day when you can have a good day?”
Another critical component of my care is following my “Pitcher of Health” food guidelines, which include daily nutritional supplements and eating lots of structured water through fruits and vegetables. Of course, I also focus on improving the health, strength and functional performance of my skin’s barrier with the right topical products.

MO: Thank you, Dr. Murad, for sharing with us your beauty secrets.

All of Dr. Murad’s products are available at the Murad Medical Spa in Manhattan Beach. For more information or to book an appointment, call 310-726-0470 or visit murad.com/spa.