Cystic breakouts are not fun. They’re painful, unsightly and can last weeks. I’ve been suffering with such nasties for the past couple of years and am advised that they’re likely a result of stress and hormones – hoorah! My skin is generally a fairly well-behaved combination type, but these breakouts always occur in the same places around my chin and mouth. A few months ago, emotionally drained and feeling self-conscious I turned to Murad for advice…
I’d been using Murad skincare on and off for years and have always found their products to work efficiently for my open pore complaints, so scrawled a quick SOS message out while feeling in a total skin rut. I had a response within moments and was recommended a couple of products, along with some kind words of sympathy and encouragement. The first suggestion was the Advanced Blemish and Wrinkle Reducer (£45), a serum-like formula which works to combat blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles. While not unwelcome, skin aging wasn’t my first concern, but the lovely ladies at Murad explained to me that the cystic breakouts I was describing are often caused by hormonal imbalances, and that this product – along with the Age Balancing range – would actually help promote a more level balance to my skin, reducing the breakouts in doing so.
Packaged in a 30ml bottle, this gentle salve should be used after cleansing the skin. (I use the Murad Pore Reform Daily Cleansing Foam). Smoothing over the skin, the product is quickly absorbed. You should then follow with a moisturiser, and for this I was recommend the Age Balancing Moisture SPF30 (£59.50). I was so glad I’d sought advice from the experts at Murad, as I would have otherwise never chosen this combination of products, particularly as I hadn’t connected the aging/hormonal elements. Although one of the pricier items in my bathroom cabinet, this 50ml tube lasted me for three months, making it just under £20 a month – which I’m happy to pay for clearer skin! I should note that the Advanced Blemish and Wrinkle Reducer is still going strong, and I reckon there’s about another month or so use left in there, as a little goes a long way.
After finishing the tube, I was happy to repurchase as I honestly feel like I’ve had more comfortable, clearer skin these past two months than in years. You can see my progress from the unpleasant images above. I would say it took about 2-3 weeks for my skin to balance out, and since then, I’ve only had one cystic blemish, reoccur a couple of times in this same stubborn location on my chin, but all other serial offenders have been fine, and to the end that the premature scarring is even getting chance to heal a little as it’s not being attacked by more eruptions. In the last image, that’s my skin today (all images with no make-up) you can see a little red scarring still at the bottom of my chin, but everywhere else is much less angry.
I realise that skin complaints are different for everybody, and that something that works for me, will not necessarily work for you, but I would highly recommend seeking professional advice, and not to be put off asking a company directly, as they’re not always out to fleece you for every penny, and that in my experience with Murad, they know that if they recommend me a product that works, it will sell itself, and I will come back for more! Next on my wishlist is the Resurgence Age-Balancing Night Cream.
Have you used these products before? Or others that have worked wonders for similar complaints? Let me know in the comments box below. x