Murad’s bespoke facial: A new way to treat your skin

MANILA, Philippines - The generic facial has four basic components: cleansing, steaming, extraction, and masking — none of them relaxing. Cleansing is like a brisk frisking of the face with sudsy soap, followed by a quick, careless rinse that involves wiping down the face with wet cotton pads. Steaming is intolerable and sometimes results in mild suffocation (if you’ve ever had steam accidentally directed at your nostrils, you’d know what I mean). Extraction is torture straight out of the medieval ages. A looped piece of wire and a pointy piece of metal? Frightening. The masks are often uncomfortable and hardly do the job — you still walk out of there looking like you just made out with a porcupine.

After my fair share of homogeneously unpleasant facial treatments, I’ve explored facials at spas (more for relaxation than treatment) and dermatologist clinics (too unceremonious for my liking). My job introduced me to the Murad Spa, which I didn’t know existed at the fifth level of Rustan’s for the longest time. Murad’s facial treatments include massages, and not half-hearted ones at that. Extraction isn’t painful at all. It’s not painless, but it’s not traumatic on the skin because the therapists use their sanitized hands instead of tools, and apply a lotion that aids in extraction.

Today, Murad Spa launches their new facial treatment protocols, now called the Murad Method Facial System. What exactly does this mean? Murad brand manager Aiem Ong explains it’s a new way of conducting their facials — a result of intense training and learning on the part of their therapists. You can call it a bespoke facial, according to Dr. Howard Murad’s philosophy, “You’re one-of-a-kind skin deserves a one-of-a-kind facial.” So, what’s different?

I tried the Murad Method Facial a week before its launch. First, you fill out a form with all your basic information, adding those on your lifestyle (e.g. How much sleep are you getting on a scale of 1-4?), and your primary and secondary skin concerns. My primary concern is acne (ugh), my secondary concern is large pores (double ugh). The facial treatment that follows was tailored specifically for these problems. But you can also choose from their treatments, including Even Brighter Facial, Congestion Clearing Facial, Wrinkle Resurfacing Peel, Diamond Peel, Calming Facial, Lift Up Firming Fix, Clarifying Back, and Firm and Tone Body Treatment.

The Murad method facial experience

Forget the four basic components of a facial. Murad’s treatments can go up to 18, depending on your concerns. My treatment, performed by therapist Chie, started with cleansing while steaming, followed by a light mask that softened and prepared skin for extraction. This formula, I was told before, is not available over the counter because it’s very potent. While masking, there was a neck, shoulder and head massage. This was followed by more steaming, and then extraction. Extraction was a bit painful this time around because I hadn’t had a facial in a while and my skin was very dry. A light facial massage came next to stimulate circulation and healing (I couldn’t get the full facial massage, which is longer and, according to Chie, the best part of the treatment, because too many comedones had been extracted — eek! — and too much friction could induce irritation.) The mask was followed by another massage for the back and arms, which they completely coat in a citrusy Murad body cream. After that, Chie left me in the room for a duration that could have been anywhere from 15 minutes to six hours — I can’t be sure, because I dozed off.  When I came to, Chie was already wiping off the mask. She then applied serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, eye cream and lip balm — every inch of my face was given attention.

After the treatment, my newly de-clogged, glowing face was tested on the Youth Cam. Not surprisingly, and consistent with previous Youth Cam tests, I don’t have much to worry about when it comes to wrinkles (I have 18). My enlarged pores (I have 466, with is still below the “alarming” mark), caused by congestion and genes, can be improved with regular facials. What’s alarming is the state of sun damage on my face. I scored 32 percent on this one, 35 percent being the highest they ever tested. Terrifying and hard to believe, especially since I’ve been religiously applying sunscreen since high school. Chie reminded me to reapply sunscreen every two hours. Since then, I’ve been applying Murad Oil-Control Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 15 even before bedtime. Better safe than sun damaged, right?

Based on test results, patients are given an at-home regimen to follow for day and night. Because my main issue is congestion, Murad Acne Clearing system was recommended. I’ve used this system before, and together with Murad Pure Skin Clarifying Dietary Supplement. But the real trick is to stick to the regimen. Don’t be stubborn. Don’t be lazy. Think of the Murad Method Facial as a very pleasant, awesome skin-tervention — it’s what you do the rest of the week that will really make the difference.

Dr. Murad likes to say his entire life is a vacation. Following this philosophy, what if you pretend you’re at the Murad Spa every time you cleanse your face? Murad’s facial treatment has inspired me to do exactly this until my next session, and I’m determined to keep it going. Do this with me, will ya?

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New Murad Method Facial is available at the Murad Spa, 5th floor, Rustan’s Makati. Products are available at Rustan’s.