Dr Murad John Lewis Edinburgh counter launches

Dr Murad launched their Edinburgh counter in John Lewis late last month, following the launch of their Debenhams Glasgow counter in the summer. I blogged about that launch here, and the brand’s innovative YouthCam, which gives you a complimentary Skin Health Assessment, measuring  five key skin health markers: fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, inflammation and pores.

I decided to have this done at the new John Lewis Edinburgh counter (that’s me above!), as I was there for a facial, and the consultant wanted to prescribe the perfect facial for my skin’s needs. Turns out I have relatively good skin, with sun damage being a high factor. I was shocked…this must be from years ago, as I look after my skin in the sun. The skin health assessment is painless – a picture is taken of your skin, and you are then shown what your skin really looks like!

Dr Murad offer this as a free service, and then, obviously, recommend which products you should use. At the new John Lewis counter in Edinburgh you can book in for a Murad facial when the brand has use of the beauty rooms – you need to check on counter for this.

My facial was the Murad Vitamin-C Infusion Facial which, according to Murad, “helps to reverse the signs of environmental ageing (through sun damage, pollution, stress, smoking or alcohol), which can appear as pigmentation, dehydration, signs of premature ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines, as well as loss of radiance, elasticity and firmness.”

Ouch! Put like that it sounds like my skin is a real mess! Which of course isn’t the case – but this facial does deal with all sorts of issues, and does make your skin absolutely glow – but let’s not skip too quickly to the end.

This facial harnesses the power of Vitamin C, to repair free radical damage from environmental exposure and prevent further damage, as well as promoting new cell growth by stimulating healthy collagen formation.

“Ingredients such as Ascorbic Acid (Pure Vitamin C) and other powerful antioxidants work to neutralise and destroy free radicals found in the environment, which may reverse signs of premature ageing and improve the appearance of skin,” explains Dr. Murad.  “In addition to a strong internal cellular defence, the facial also works to protect exposed skin from UV radiation and damaging free-radicals and will reduce redness and swelling after UV exposure.” 

There are three masks in this intensive, yet relaxing facial. Loads of products are used, although I wasn’t overly keen on the cleanser that was used. I have a real issue with things feeling too ‘wet’ on my face, so I wasn’t a fan of that.

The Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum for maximum hydration felt good, as did the  Essential-C Day Moisture SPF 30 and Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15. I didn’t feel the need to apply makeup afterwards, and I didn’t look red or blotchy, the way you sometimes can after a facial.

I was recommended a few products to try afterwards – the White Brilliance Gentle Cleanser (£31) which is to deal with dark spots,and is a foam cleanser, which I’m not in love with, but I am giving it a go! The Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF30 (£57) is a lovely moisturiser, but because of the dryness in my skin, I don’t find it hydrating enough. The third product I was recommended was the Intensive Wrinkle Reducer (£179). Ouch, again with the name! This is a phase 2 product – treatment and repair, the most important phase. This one claims to significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increase firmness by 40%, and improve clarity, returning skin to its youngest-looking state.

We all want that, so how does it do it? Murad says it’s like Botox in serum form! Well, it uses GlycoNutrient Complex to encourage cell turnover, strengthen the skin’s barrier function and increase firmness and skin density, Durian Cell Reform to maximise penetration of the aforementioned complex deep into the skin’s surface layers to fight established wrinkles, and Lipo-Amino Acid containing Cinnamon Extract to improve skin imperfections, revealing clearer, more radiant skin. Apply once a day on your face, neck and chest.

All products are available on counter, and at murad.co.uk, and the facials are available when the beauty rooms are. The Murad Vitamin-C Infusion Facial I had lasts an hour and is from £55.