Murad – Moisturizing and Firming Power Combo!

Murad Combo: Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture & Professional Eye Lift Firming Treatment

Several years ago I tried Murad for the first time and instantly loved it. Using their skin care and anti-aging lines of rich creams, serums, and the like encased in sophisticated packaging makes me feel like I’m receiving an at-home dermatology session slash spa treatment—one free of scolding about picking at my face, a triple-digit visit fee, and/or judgment about taking part in such in yoga pants and an oversized Local Natives concert t-shirt. For this round of sampling, I was lucky to be able to experience the Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and Murad Professional Eye Lift Firming Treatment.

Regarding where I typically am on the skin-care front: I have occasional spots here and there but for the most part tend to not have any hugely major consistent breakouts going on—although I do have to keep an eye out for extra shine (particularly in the T-zone), and when the Santa Ana winds are up I have to add a bit of extra moisturizer to keep things from looking too dry. As far as daily treatments, I wear an SPF 20 BB cream under powder, moisturize well after washing and before going to bed each night (varying from hydration-focused creams when my skin feels tighter to a tea tree cream when I’m breaking out), and apply a morning and nighttime eye cream (for brightness and overnight repair). In trying the two Murad products, I was hoping for a bit of extra enhancement to pump up the normal routine.

The Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is “a luxurious, yet lightweight cream” intended to provide a serious hydration boost that keeps working for 24 hours post-application (!). In using and learning about this cream, it also provided a gentle but much-needed reminder to moisturize my neck and chest—as these are areas which are often still exposed to the sun but which aren’t reaping the benefits of my makeup with sunscreen. I’m also no longer in my 20s—which, on the whole, is something about which I’m relieved—however, it also means that I am actually starting to see fine lines around my eyes and am noticing areas that have seen more sun than they should have over the years…which means these areas need even more extra attention now.

The biggest difference I noticed after repeated usage of the Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture was that my face and chest really seemed to visibly respond to the extra moisture that they were receiving. I most often used the cream at night before going to bed—and after waking up, showering, then looking in the mirror the next morning, I noticed more of a (dare I say) youthful glow than days prior. For me personally, I think the amount of moisture that is provided is something I would tend to use more on an every-other-day or few times a week basis. With my combination skin, sometimes my pores can become a little over-clogged when too much is applied on top, but I am loving how even my skin tone has become and the overall brightness that the Hydro-Dynamic cream has created.

On that note, I really fell in love with the glow also provided from the Murad Professional Eye Lift Firming Treatment. Per their website, this is recommended to be used in tandem with the Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture (the Eye Lift is Step #2 and the Moisture is Step #3) so I enjoyed trying them in complement with one another.

To use the Firming Treatment, you apply three pumps underneath your eyes, set one of the provided moon-shaped cotton pads atop the solution to hold it in place and encourage absorption, and leave the product on for about 10-15 minutes…to receive immediate results thereafter! The packaging notes that a “slight tingling sensation” may be experienced but I did not quite feel that—for me, when removing the cotton pads, my under-eye area felt cool and refreshed: as if I had been wearing my gel-filled eye mask I sometimes freeze and wear for depuffing purposes…minus the brain freeze of the mask. Per instructions you are to use the product 2-3 times a week, and I’ve been looking forward to each usage for both the invigorating feeling and the noticeable effects. I’ve been trying to achieve these types of benefits with a ginseng and caffeine boosting eye cream for some time—and don’t get me wrong, I love that product and will continue to use it—but the Firming Treatment really provided the extra oomph my poor sleep-deprived and sometimes (erm, let’s be real—often) puffy under-eye-area desperately needs.

Although the Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and Eye Lift Firming Treatment are pricier than average drugstore treatments, I really did notice the quality and difference in the weight and details of the packaging as well as in the luxury and noticeable benefits each product provides. Murad products are available via their website, Sephora, and Ulta—plus Murad’s online store offers free shipping on $50+.

Written by Morgan McCann McGuire. Morgan is a lifelong girly-girl who was introduced to beauty products at an early age by her mother. Her hair was always done up right, whether it was crimped all over or just her bangs froofed with a curling iron and gobs of hair spray. Over the years Morgan has grown more concerned with and interested in knowing from where her consumer products come, whether these things are food or beauty-related, and she loves discovering new cruelty-free products (particularly those with fun packaging). She also loves bright colors, music, and dogs, and is employed in post-production.