Intrinsic Aging

Make the “Fountain of Youth” a reality
For centuries, people across the world have been looking to prevent aging. Ponce de Leon, one of the sailors who traveled with Christopher Columbus, heard many stories about a magical water source that would keep people young and went on a voyage in search of it. Though he never found the “Fountain of Youth,” modern science shows us that water-in the form of hydrated cells-may indeed hold the key to age prevention.

Fending off water loss
Today we know more about Intrinsic Aging, the natural aging process, than ever. Scientific research has uncovered evidence that shows that age-related diseases and aging begin at the cellular level. As cells age, they no longer produce enough DNA to divide as quickly and completely as they once did. In addition, while some of our cells age, some do not. Whether cells age or not, all cells share one common link: they have less water.

Prevent aging at the cellular level
The aging signs you see in the mirror are a reflection of events taking place on a microscopic level within your cells. If you want to minimize the signs of aging-you need to supply your cells with the necessary building blocks. These include proteins or amino acids, fatty acids, lecithin, vitamins B and C and trace minerals. All of these nutrients help hydrate the cells and keep its defenses strong.

Water holds the key to age prevention
All Murad topical treatments and internal supplements are based on The Cellular Water Principle, a scientifically proven philosophy that keeps cells hydrated and improves barrier function with ingredients that keep your defenses strong. Ponce de Leon may not have found the Fountain of Youth he was looking for, but science has shown us that by following a diet rich in hydrating fruits and vegetables, and by incorporating The Cellular Water Principle into your life, you can achieve healthier, hydrated younger-looking skin and turn back the hands of time.

Get Your Wellness On!
by Renee Windman, Web Designer

Ever wondered what it would be like if we could have a day to do what makes us feel good? By the time we finish work, brave the traffic, eat dinner and do laundry, we are left with about five minutes to unwind. We all need time to enjoy those things that really make us happy.

Well, here at Murad, we receive on Inclusive Health Day a year. You ask, “What is an Inclusive Health Day?” It is a day Just for you. Got to a spa, spend some time with the family or just veg in front of the TV.

My Inclusive Health Day would be exploring my own city of Los Angeles. I love to travel. So if I have one day, i would grab my camera and head downtown. You can literally eat your way from Chinatown to Little Tokyo, check out the museums and end your day watching a performance at the Music Center. That is my Inclusive Health Day!

Don’t let hormones control your skin

As anyone who has been through puberty knows: Hormones can wreak havoc on your skin.

Women approaching menopause can also attest to this. As estrogen levels drop and testosterone production increases, perimenopausal women find themselves faced with the rapidly-aging effects of dry, rough, lackluster skin and increased facial hair growth. Even in ovulating women, the subtle hormonal shifts during a woman’s cycle can trigger annoying pre-menstrual breakouts.

Hormones are chemical messengers, created by our bodies to regulate everything from metabolism to cell growth to reproductive cycles and mood. When they fluctuate, they can trigger weight gain, depression, sleeplessness and fatigue in addition to breakouts or dryness. In our industrialized society more and more people are finding themselves suffering from the symptoms of hormone imbalance. The impact of pervasive, modern-day cultural stressors (traffic, exposure to environmental toxins, 60-hour work weeks, etc.) can trigger continual release of cortisol—the fight or flight stress hormone. Our adrenal glands that produce cortisol become overworked, causing a syndrome many doctors describe as Adrenal Fatigue. Some experts estimate that as many as 80% of people encounter this condition at some point in their lives.

Although age is responsible for most hormone shifts, there are factors we can control to help us achieve hormonal balance:

1. Eat healthier and supplement your diet with the raw materials necessary for maintaining optimal cell function. We recommend Youth Builder® Dietary Supplements.

2. Treat hormone-related skin problems with an appropriate skincare regimen. Murad’s Resurgence® line is ideal for women suffering from Peri-Menopausal and Menopausal symptoms. For hormonal breakouts, try Murad’s Acne skincare.

3. Take time each week to do something that relieves stress and makes you happy. Give your adrenal gland a break by taking up yoga, enjoying a spa treatment, or going for a hike.

4. Educate yourself. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of hormone imbalance. If the symptoms sound familiar, find a doctor who will be your advocate. If you live in Southern California we invite you to visit the Murad Inclusive Health Center®.

Oops, I missed a spot—Self-tanning like a pro

You’re surrounded by images, models and celebrities with glowing skin and the perfect tan year round. You too want to be beautiful and bronze, but what’s a girl with pasty skin that hasn’t seen the sun all winter to do?

If you are like me, you know the answer is not to run in the direction of the nearest tanning salon or grab your favorite bikini and baby oil and head for the beach. So, you find yourself at your favorite beauty boutique in front of a wall of sunless tanners. You’ve been here before and within a few hours, you were thinking back to Jennifer Lopez’s advice in The Wedding Planner, “quarter cup of lemon juice, half a cup of salt and a loofah. . .” You scrub frantically, hoping to erase the orange tinted streaks and spots. You think to yourself, why me? What did I do wrong?

Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years to streak-free sunless tanning:

1. Exfoliate. While Jennifer’s advice may have come a little late, she knows what she’s talking about. Every 28 days, our skin renews itself with a fresh layer of healthy cells. Without regular exfoliation, the dead cells, sitting on the top layer will build up. This build up of dry, dead cells can be the first step towards self-tanning disaster. So, grab your favorite body scrub and slough away memories of streaks from the past.

2. Hydrate. Every morning you cleanse, treat and hydrate. You notice how easy it is to apply your makeup and how flawless your skin looks. The added hydration is key and is also true for a flawless application of sunless tanner. As soon as you get out of the shower, slather on an intense hydrator to lock the moisture in your cells and enjoy a smoother application.

3. Tinted formula to the rescue. Your social calendar waits for no one. . .much less your ancient sunless tanner to show its true colors or that spot you missed. Try a tinted formula that takes the guesswork out of an even application and gets you in your new mini and back to more important things.

4. Patience. All great things take time and becoming a bronzed-goddess is no different. Choose a sunless tanner that allows you to build your tan overtime.

Now, get glowing. . .