Well this is a very joyous revisit; I’ve reviewed Murad’s brilliant Retinol Youth Renewal range before, but they’ve reformulated and relaunched it and it’s now even more of a find.
I say find, but this skincare trio (there’s a serum, an eye serum and a sumptuous night cream) is hardly a secret – the Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is the number one retinol product in the US! Nevertheless, I bring you this news, that two of the products have been reformulated and all three have had an appearance makeover, and I also bring you (why am I writing this like a medieval bard?) an updated review.
Actually two updated reviews, because in an unprecedented feat of spectacular organisation, my Mum and I have been testing the new range at the same time. Yes that’s right; my Mum (seventy next year) and I (forty this year) have been syncing our nightly skincare routines and applying eye serum, serum and night cream every other night and recording our thoughts.
Shop 25% off Murad with code RUTH25
I have to say, before we go any further, that my Mum is meticulous when it comes to researching what she puts on her face. She Googles every ingredient on the list, she looks at other reviews and she reads the instructions on the box twice. How on earth then, she managed to end up applying the serum in the morning instead of the night and the other products twice a day every day for weeks, I have no idea.
It’s surely testament to the quality of the formulations that her face didn’t slowly peel itself off from her head, like in a Tom & Jerry cartoon – I should add that Mum does have quite sensitive skin, and my own (comparatively hardy) face has had bad reactions to far less potent treatments.
Murad do make a point of the formulations being suitable for sensitive skin – they urge caution, obviously, but the newly reformulated eye serum can now even be used on the eyelids. The lids! Imagine. I can tell you that it was something of a leap of faith, patting a retinol serum into my eyelids, but there was no stinging, no irritation whatsoever. The serum was instantly hydrating but not greasy (basically my Mum’s idea of a Holy Grail beauty product) and I did rather like the idea that something might get to work on my lid crepe.
Lid crepe. It sounds like a disease. I’m absolutely not wanting to add any sort of extra skin “concern” to the list of ones we’re already supposed to worry about, but I do quite like it when you use a lid primer and it makes things all smooth and velvety – the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum makes them feel a little bit like that.
Although obviously there are longer term benefits! In fact, I’ve just realised that this post launched into a whole thing about Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Range but didn’t really explain what an earth retinol is, to the uninitiated. My Mum had no clue why retinol was so special, even after she’d done her Google research. Mainly because she’s so sceptical, which is a good thing. But in the case of retinol, you can almost entirely place your scepticism to one side, because this is an ingredient that really and truly delivers.
With the right strength and a good formulation, retinol can help to smooth out fine lines, even skin tone, work on deeper lines and creases and make skin generally look plumper and more elastic. Murad’s range takes things one step further by using their tri-active retinol technology; a retinol booster to kind of prep the skin and make it receptive to the main ingredient, then a time-released retinol to deliver a steady level to the skin and then a fast-acting retinoid, which is much more powerful than the retinol itself.
Triple-whammy effects and boy does it make the products feel racy and exciting! I properly get the tingle with Murad’s range, the sort of tingle that makes you wonder what state your face is going to be in the next day – will I look as though I’ve drunk four litres of rosé and passed out on a Magaluf beach at midday in August? Thankfully not – no irritation, no redness, not even any discernible dryness, perhaps because the super-serums are always followed by the rich and buttery night cream.
The night cream has also been tweaked; still with the tri-active retinol technology, it now contains Niacinamide and Picolinamide to strengthen skin’s protective barrier. I like that it’s not just shooting high-powered and transformative ingredients at your face – it’s looking out for the longterm comfort and quality of the skin.
The Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream was the product my Mum loved the most – she’s always hunting for creams that are incredibly rich and moisturising but that don’t leave a greasy residue. She hates grease. Especially around the eyes. I can’t even count the number of times she’s told me this fact over the years – I sometimes feel as though I should make it into a poem and put it on her birthday cards – but it’s a big issue for her. It goes in her lashes and then into her eyes, it’s all most upsetting, but not, she was delighted to report, with any of the Murad trio.
So yes, the night cream was her favourite – she likes to be able to use one product and be done with it – but she did marvellously well at testing all three. She has noticed a good difference to the firmness of her skin, especially under her chin and on her neck, and in turn the wrinkles there are improved. These are her exact words:
“I LOVE THIS AND IT HAS WORKED A DREAM ON MY NECK AND CHIN (whether it was aided with serum also, not sure)
Yes, it is so lovely and smooth to apply, smells lovely, absorbs well, and it has so, so much improved my neck, jowl and chin wrinkles, both the fine and the deep ones. Thankyou Murad.
Could you tell me whether I can just use night cream alone and get those results? Also can I try on lovely hubby, His face is craggy ?
Lots of love
Ruth’s Mum”
I need to tell my Mum that the serum increases results by three times when used alongside the cream – in fact, if I had to choose one product from the range on results alone then I’d probably plump for the serum, just because it’s the most potent. This is the one product that hasn’t been reformulated – it’s still maximum tingle, minimal fall-out and a lightweight, easily-absorbed texture that’s a joy to use. Same tri-action deal with the retinol, retinoid and the skin-prepping element for quick and visible results.
Now you may already be a fan of this range, in which case you’ll appreciate the tweaks, I think! If you’re not then prepare to be charmed – the Retinol Youth Renewal range is the sort of skincare line that’ll have you doing double-takes in the mirror, especially if you have (or are starting to get) those vertical lines between your eyebrows and horizontal ones to the sides of your eyes.
It’s been so interesting testing the same products as my Mum – we’re (obviously) at different stages in terms of how our skin is behaving and what we expect from our skincare, yet both of us couldn’t be more pleased with the results. I love a smoother, plumper, fresher-looking face that allows me to use minimal makeup and my Mum appreciates the firmness and feeling of elasticity that using retinol has given to her skin.
If you would like to try Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal range then you can get 25% off with the code RUTH25 here. In fact this gets you 25% off everything on their website! I can highly recommend their range of sunscreens, especially if you are going to be using retinol, and they have an amazing anti-blemish line.
If you’d like to read my review of the original line then that’s here – you can also take a nifty little skin consultation quiz on the Murad website, that’s here. For some reason I find these online evaluations quite addictive!
I didn’t know that brand but thanks to your great post I am going to try :) Thanks for sharing :)
Which one would you recommend for forehead lines AND lines around eyes? Would the serum be OK for both areas?
It depends how sensitive your eye area is! I would test it very cautiously and see. I’d defo get the serum for face lines though, not the eye serum, if you want the higher strength and faster results! x
l have used the serum for both areas and it is fabulous and seems to work. I love this product and always have
I love retinols. These look great!
I love your reviews, you have introduced me to so many products. I really like the medik8 range, currently using Crystal Retinal 6, but thinking of “mixing it up”. Which do you prefer? is Murad stronger? Thank you
Ooh which Retinal one are you using?? x
Thank you for responding :-) I’m currently on Crystal Retinal 6, but to be honest it hasn’t been that effective on my forecast wrinkles. I’m 36 but must be surprised a lot to have such deep ones!
Im currently using the crystal retinol 6, but it hasn’t seemed to make a dent in my forehead wrinkles.
£75 PER PRODUCT?! Buh uh. No. You can find that exact same ingredients in much cheaper products. Murad doesn’t even have the maximum 2% retinol that the law limits non-prescription products to, so you can even argue that you’d get better results from the cheaper formulas. If the Amazon reviews are anything to go by, that definitely rings true. I think I’ll stick to my glowonder collagen &retinol night cream. It’s been wonderful to my skin.
They don’t display an inci list on Glowonder so can’t see what’s in it! You can find retinol in all sorts of products, including ones that cost less than a tenner, but it’s the formulation and the amount of research that’s gone into it..
They also have to pay influencers and Dr Murad.
Way over priced. Lots of companies out there nowadays doing great research and formulations for a fair prices.
You and your mom are beautiful! Your smile is contagious! Keep wrtiting great posts!
https://thecoolgloves.com
Thank you!! x
Great post! Murad is always my favourite brand.
Review Belt For Man
They have some brilliant products don’t they?
Sounds pretty great. Murad do have great formations! I never use an eye cream, I just use my normal cream/serum up to the eyes. When using an active eye serum like this, where do you use the eye serum and where do you use the regular serum? As in do you use the regular serum to the eye socket and the eye serum from there on in?
I often just use a facial serum all over, but in this case the eye one would be great if you have more sensitive skin/eye area.
I’m not yet fully into anti-aging products as I am only 25, but, I do struggle with smile lines and fine lines under my eyes. They irritate me so much because my makeup sinks into them instantly! I do find, however, that retinol based products help out with my adult acne and blemishes, so, I wonder if this set would do something for me. This is an excellent review! I’m very impressed by how kind this range is to the skin, and even that you can use it on the eyes safely. I will have to check these products out.
xoxo Amanda | http://www.theaestheticedge.com
I honestly don’t care how good that range is until they stop using 10 tonnes of plastic for each product it’s a no from me. Why in this day and age are beauty companies still double walling pots? That range has had a recent rebrand why did the not think to reduce plastic?
Thank you for bringing this info to the fore front! Not many of us are aware of the negative impact of plastics! There must be something that can replace plastic?
I’d be happy with milk carton material with a warning that the carton will eventually disintegrate!
That’s a fair point. I’ve actually been making my own cosmetics for a while now, but obviously I can’t create anything with retinol like this stuff, so I have no choice. They can’t argue it’s a cost thing, cuz like you said, the double walling thing is totally superfluous (not to mention manipulative as it tricks consumers into thinking there’s more I’m there when there isn’t). Plus, I know for a fact that even the most high-end products only cost around $8-9 USD to make. But I’ll still rely on my homemade toner, powder, blush, lip color, and moisturizer to help reduce plastics.
The last picture where you look at your mother is so full of love!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
I love this! The pictures and facial expressions are the best. I save your posts to read when I take a break from work. A bit of a giggle with some tea. Thank you for the giggle induced endorphins. Was going to say giggle-orphins but that made it sound like someone had left me with small children whose parents died from laughing….
Hahahaha!
Love this! Am I imagining it or did your ma once have her own page on your blog? Xxx
She had her own blog! I don’t know where it went! I will ask her.
Hi Ruth, thank you for your review. Do you know what the retinol strength/percentage is in these products?
Great review Ruth! Your mum is beautiful and her skin looks amazing. x