The Fountain Found

By Anne Marie Scanlon

To read some papers and editorials you'd swear that the desire to halt the march of time was a recent thing. As long as human beings have existed they've striven to defend themselves against the ravages of old age or indeed to turn back the clock altogether. Sure didn't Ponce de Leon "discover" Florida in 1513 when he was in search of the Fountain of Youth and that wasn't today or yesterday.

The difference between us and the likes of Ponce de Leon is that today we have far more choice when it comes to preventing aging and even reversing it. The most obvious way to look younger is to have cosmetic surgery. That isn't always necessarily the easiest way and as I've said before surgery IS surgery and not without risks.

The alternative is to choose a skincare product to tackle the lines and wrinkles, either before or after they form. This week I'm taking a look at Murad which is named after its founder Dr. Howard Murad, the first dermatologist to launch his own patented skincare range in 1989.

In the eighteen years since he founded Murad he has pioneered the use of ingredients such as AHA's and antioxidants in skincare formulations as well as pomegranate and the now very fashionable Goji berries. He was also the first dermatologist to specifically address hormonal aging. Dr. Murad's experience in his clinic inspired him to create skincare solutions for a wide variety of conditions. Within his range you will find products for redness relief, acne, pigmentation correction and anti-aging.

If by now you're thinking to yourself "that name sounds a bit familiar" that's because it is. Dr. Murad is also the author of a number of best-selling books including The Cellulite Solution . Oh yes, that got your notice. Yours and that of Lucy Lui, Brooke Shields, Thandi Newton and Uma Thurman who are all fond of the Murad range.

My own interest was peaked when I heard about 'the Water Principal' which is a key element of Murad's skincare philosophy. Regular readers will know that I'm always banging on about the benefits of water. Dr. Murad believes that the retention of water in the walls of our skin cells is the best indicator of skin and indeed overall health. The more water retained the better. Now don't get confused with water retention which is a different thing entirely.

For years I've been slavishly downing pints of water, (usually far more than the recommended 8 glasses a day). This is fine as far as it goes but where does most of it go? Yes indeed, to be delicate about it, out the other end. While Dr. Murad does not dispute the benefits of drinking water he recommends that we eat our water. Huh? I hear you say. Yes, in fresh fruit and vegetables. Dr. Murad also contends that human beings are, basically, water. He's right, we're over 50% water and all living things need water to survive. Newborn babies are nearly 80% water and surely it's no coincidence that they have skin that feels like velvet, only nicer.

Dr. Murad's approach is, for want of a better word, a holistic one. The skin is the body's major organ and therefore topical applications need to be backed up with what's going on inside. Therefore Dr. Murad recommends a whole body approach including diet and exercise to rejuvenate the skin, the body and the mind.

Dr. Murad has just introduced a new product to his line and it is well worth checking out. The Intensive Wrinkle Reducer^TM ($150) reverses aging. Yes, reverses. Ponce de Leon eat your heart out. The Intensive Wrinkle Reducer will also help prevent future skin damage; it does all of this by utilizing GlycoNutrient Complex which has been clinically proven to regenerate the skins appearance. Daily use will diminish lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Dr. Murad advises users to take their own before and after pictures four weeks apart so they can see for themselves the changes. However maximum results take eight to twelve weeks.

The formula also includes Cinnamon Extract to help skin become clearer and less oily. Dr. Murad says, "The Cinnamon Extract helps to regulate the five things that contribute to skin imperfections including; bacteria proliferation on the skins surface, lipase which causes oil to become irritating, androgens that contribute to breakouts and facial hair growth, elastase which attacks collagen and elastin, and free radicals that cause cellular oxidation. Cinnamon Extract also has a high in catechinic tannin content, which helps stimulate cutaneous cells."

I've been using this product myself for a couple of weeks and have to say I think it's great. It goes on easily, absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling velvety soft. Yes, says you, but does it work? Well, so far it definitely appears to. My skin is looking better and there does appear to be an improvement in the appearance of fine lines. Horray for Dr. Murad and the Intensive Wrinkle Reducer^TM.

Being intrigued by the Water Principal and very taken with the latest product in the line I met up with the man himself to ask a few questions.

Q: How long does an anti-aging cream need to be used in order for the active ingredients to work on the skin and produce visible results?
A: Newer peptides produce immediate firming but the ideal use time is 8 - 12 weeks.

Q: Does premature use of anti-aging products (i.e. using firming, anti-wrinkle, tightening or overly-rich creams) before they're really needed hinder their efficacy?
A: It's never too early and never too late to use proper skincare.

Q: At what age should people start using anti-aging products?
A: The sooner the better. Aging begins at puberty so anti-aging can start at puberty also.

Q: Why does stress affect your skin and how can we change our lifestyle to combat the effects?
A: Stress leads to water loss. Stress can also lead to more caffeine ingestion, not eating properly and sleep deprivation, therefore more water loss. Poor nutrition can lead to depression which causes more stress. A lot of stress is caused by the way we live - cultural stress and what we call 'Time Poverty'. To prioritize ask yourself the question 'If I had nothing to do what would I do?' When you've answered that question try to incorporate the answer into your daily life.

Q: Do you notice a difference in the skin of patients that live in the City and those who live in the country/suburbs?
A: There's definitely more cultural stress in the city as well as pollution and smog so that's obviously worse for the skin. Pollutants stick to the skin in the same way that they stick to the windshield of your car. (Now readers if that image doesn't encourage you to clean your face and remove your make up before hitting the sack then nothing will.)

Q: It is often said that drinking 2 liters of water a day will help your skin look younger, do you think this is the case?
A: Eat your water, raw fruit and vegetables have 'structured water' which is more easily assimilated by your cells. Drinking water is fine but it can end up going through you, remember it's not how much you drink, its how much you keep.

Q: What are your five tips for healthy skin and body?
A:

1. Eat your water in the form of raw food.
2. Apply vitamins to the skin via skincare.
3. Listen to your skin, don't blindly use the same product day in and day out.
4. Remember that you are the most important person in the world and take appropriate care of yourself.
5. Accentuate the positive.

Q: What do you recommend for battling cellulite?
A: Its important to remember that cellulite is a skin problem and not a fat problem, you can get it no matter what your dress size. Part of the problem is bad circulation which leads to bruising and spider veins, poor blood supply to the dermis leads to a weakening dermis which results in puckered looking skin. Better circulation is key to battling cellulite as well as topical applications.

Q: What, in your opinion, are key ingredients to look for in skincare products?
A: Agents that attract water, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories. However it's important to remember that the skin is connected to the rest of the body. Topical products only deal with 20% of the whole skin, proper nutrition is essential for good skincare.

Q: Which superfoods and ingredients are you investigating for future skincare?
A: Pomegranates, Goji berries, Cinnamon Extract and Durian from S.E. Asia which looks like coconut.

Q: You advocate topical and internal skincare, what do you mean?
A: Proper skincare involves a whole body approach. You can't have healthy skin without a healthy heart, a healthy liver and healthy kidneys.

Q: Have you noticed any new patterns in skin conditions in the patients you treat? Is skin becoming more sensitive etc.?
A: Skin is definitely becoming more sensitive, it may be due to cultural stress, pollutants etc. Lifestyles have really changed and that's reflected by the skin.

Q: How much of the aging process can be slowed down?
A: There are several factors that lead to aging; its genetic, environmental and hormonal. Environmental aging is due to factors such as sun, stress, smoking, drinking and stress. Obviously a change in lifestyle will be reflected by the skin. When treating skin topically regular exfoliation is necessary in fighting the visible signs of aging. If you can't afford microdermabrasion, regularly exfoliating will help.

Murad's Intensive Wrinkle Reducer^TM as well as the entire range is available online at murad.com. Check website for a retailer near you.