While Proactiv remains one of the most mentioned acne products around, there is healthy competition popping up from other companies. One of the leaders is a Murad which has garnered a lot of attention with more natural ingredients. Many alternatives to Proactiv actually contain the same active ingredient, Benzoyl Peroxide, so they end up having the same types of effects. There might be some difference in overall cost and method of application, but in most cases you’re essentially getting the same product. Murad on the other hand strays away from commonly used Benzoyl peroxide towards Salicylic acid as its main ingredient.
One of the most common complaints about Benzoyl peroxide is its harsh nature and potential to dry skin. Even long time Proactiv users don’t deny this. As mentioned in other posts on this site, benzoyl peroxide is powerful enough to bleach clothing if left on for a significant amount of time. That’s powerful action that can serve as a double-edged sword when applied to real life skin. While it might help with oiliness and cutting down on clogging, it can also strip moisture away quite easily. And since most people are overly eager to apply as much medication as possible, dryness is commonly experienced.
Murad focuses on salicylic acid which is a good alternative that helps to exfoliate dead skin cells while renewing at the same time. There is also a touch of retinol which is commonly used for clearing up discoloration and the aftereffects of acne. The three key focus areas for Murad products include Cleanse/Tone, Treat/Repair, and Hydrate/Protect – and there is a specific product to do each job. It’s a similar three-step process that you find with Proactiv, but of course the main chemical ingredients are different. The system also focuses on antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients to help reduce the appearance of redness and raised bumps on your skin.
As with any treatment on the market, results will vary depending on the user. Obviously people with severe acne might have a harder time dealing with their blemishes using a commercial product like this. The comparisons with Proactiv are inevitable, and you will find both fans and detractors alike. There is no general consensus, but that’s not something you can find with any other product on the market either.
One of the best things about Murad is a nice range of supplementary products to go along with their core system. Of course you’re going to have to pay more for these, but when used together you get a much more comprehensive treatment. Some of the better products include a good concealer that helps to hide blemishes, a skin lightening toner, a complete body wash, and an anti-aging moisturizer with SPF protection that kills several birds with one stone.
If you take a look at some of the reviews for Murad, you’ll notice a common theme: either people really love it or they really hate it. For those who have had bad experiences with Murad, their most common complaint is that it actually makes their acne a lot worse. But Murad is quite open about the fact that their products tend to have a “purging” effect in the initial stages of usage. That means that your skin tends to get worse as it speeds up the process of bringing pre-existing pimples or clogged pores to the forefront.
The same thing happens with more powerful treatments like Accutane, and it’s very difficult to handle for some people. This stage might go on indefinitely depending on your skin situation, and all the while your skin will definitely look worse. Some people misinterpret this has Murad being entirely ineffective without giving it the time needed to really work. You’ll have to keep this in mind if you want to try Murad, and you might even want to give yourself three weeks or so where you don’t mind your acne becoming more pronounced.
Overall, Murad is accurately price and offers a good alternative to other common treatments on the market. There are downsides which is why you need to read instructions carefully and pay attention to proper application. It might not be worth it to some people who see it as a gamble when there are products out there who have fewer negative reviews. But if you’ve tried everything else, then this might be an alternative, or could be time to finally see a dermatologist for a more powerful long-term solution.
Related posts:
