Exclusive: Murad Launches Prebiotic Skin-Care Range
If you haven't already heard, "dirty skin" is no longer a bad thing. With a growing number of studies confirming the benefits of skin bacteria, including keeping things like breakouts, rosacea, and eczema at bay, these so-called good bugs have taken center-stage in the beauty world as of late. Although research on the skin's microbiome — the trillions of tiny microscopic organisms currently living, snacking, and reproducing on the surface of our skin — is still relatively new, an explosion of probiotic-fueled skin care is currently underway. The newest microbiome-boosting products on the skin-care scene come from Murad, with its launch of a prebiotic duo; a 4-in-1 MultiCleanser and 3-in-1 MultiMist.
"Prebiotics work as a universal support system for our unique microbiomes, [so they] allow for a more universal approach to skin care than live bacteria or a probiotic," explains dermatologist Howard Murad, who founded the brand. "Prebiotics work by acting as food for the bacteria living on our skin — they are like a peacemaker, bringing balance to the skin's microbiome."
In other words, probiotics are the actual bacteria on our skin, and everyone's skin bacteria is unique (and can vary depending on different parts of the body). In fact, every person's skin microbiome is as unique to them as their DNA or fingerprint, Murad says. Prebiotics are what keep the bacteria alive and flourishing.
"To put it simply, probiotics actually contain the good guys, and prebiotics contain what the good guys like to eat in order to ensure their own survival and proliferation," explains Whitney Bowe, a professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center and the author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin. "Prebiotics are the nourishing food that naturally allows healthy, good bacteria to thrive on your skin."
With that in mind, both of the new Murad products are formulated with prebiotic hydrating sugars that literally help feed skin's good bacteria. First up, the 4-in-1 MultiCleanser, a gel-to-oil facial cleanser that removes makeup, dirt, and excess oil without stripping the skin of its good bugs. That last part is key to the future of skin care, Murad says, especially in the age of overcleansing and sanitizing our skin to the point wherein hygiene actually becomes detrimental to skin health.
"We are using harsh products that are destroying bad bacteria, which is what we want, but they're also stripping away good bacteria, too," Murad explains. "This leads to essential bacteria being thrown off, which shows up in the form of acne, dryness, and dehydration, as well as issues like eczema and premature aging."
After cleansing, a few spritzes of the Prebiotic 3-in-1 MultiMist helps to further replenish the skin with prebiotic goodness. The lightweight mist can be used on clean skin as a makeup primer, or as a refreshing setting spray throughout the day (which is how we've come to enjoy it). "We specifically selected [the] ingredients, including xylitol and other sugars from jicama and beet," Murad explains. "[They] work as prebiotics to give skin a healthier glow, better resilience, barrier hydration, clarity, and [an] overall healthy condition.
Murad's Prebiotic 4-1 MultiCleanser retails for $36 and the Prebiotic 3-in-1 MultiMist retails for $32. Both are available at murad.com as of today, and in select retailers starting January.
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