In May, some friends and I headed for the Sephora store in the Lenox mall in Atlanta. At that time, I was experiencing a breakout that was just pure evil. I decided I was going try something new to clear it up and control any future breakouts. The sales representative at Sephora recommended that I try the Murad Starter Kit for $30. I have a coworker who already raved to me about Murad products and the set came in a canister that stated 90% success rate. That sounded like a sale!

The set includes a 2 ounce Clarifying Cleanser (which contains 1.5% Salicylic Acid), a 1 ounce Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel (which is an all over face treatment that reduces and prevents excess oil and breakouts), a .25 ounce Acne Spot Treatment (a blemish spot treatment that reduces redness and clears blemishes), and a 1 ounce Skin Perfecting Lotion (which is an oil-free hydrator lotion that softens and refines the skin texture). Each product works to prevent acne and clear the skin, and I will rate each product individually.

Clarifying Cleanser (5 out of 5 stars)
According to Sephora, the clarifying Cleanser is “clinically proven to reduce 99.9% of irritating surface bacteria in less than one minute, this deep cleansing gel with triclosan and salicylic acid helps to gently but effectively reduce acne blemishes to keep skin clear”. I really love this gel cleanser. I massage it into my damp face twice daily (a dime sized amount works). My face has cleared up and I have less oil (without dryness). The menthol is cooling and an antiseptic (I can actually feel it cleanse my pores). The triclosan (which is a strong antibacterial ingredient) helps to control breakouts and the chamomile soothes and calms red or irritated skin. I was so impressed with the cleanser that I bought this product again on it's own in a larger bottle for $22!

Active Ingredient: Salicylic Acid (1.5%). Other Ingredients include: Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C14-16 Olefin, Sulfonate, Methyl Gluceth-20, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Triclosan, Menthol, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Oil, Cymbopogon Nardus (Citronella) Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Methylparaben

Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel (5 out of 5 stars)
This product is the second step and really helped clear up my skin. The Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel exfoliates dead surface skin cells and reduces oil and bacteria. It contains 1% Salicylic Acid acne treatment and heals and improves skin clarity and smoothness. The hydrogen peroxide works as a topical antiseptic and peroxide purifies without drying to keep skin clear. The retinol helps in cell renewal, helping to prevent and control breakouts.

This is similar to the now discontinued Lancome Extra Controle Matifying Solution in the way that it exfoliates, prevents breakouts, treats acne, and controls shine. It really clears out my pores and makes them look visibly smaller because they are clearer. The product does not leave a sticky residue like other products do. I apply a thin layer over my face and neck this in the morning after cleansing and toning (before moisturizer and makeup) and at night.

The exfoliating gel is included the $30 kit. However, I priced the it individually, and it is $50 for the larger size on it's own. So this starter kit is a good deal if you would like to try the products, before committing to the larger purchases. I didn't buy that again (I still have 1/3 left of the smaller size), but let me tell you, it works better than anything I've ever use.

The active Ingredient is Salicylic Acid (1% Acne Treatment) Other ingredients include: Water (aqua), Alcohol Denat, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Methyl Gluceth 10, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Hydrogen Peroxide, Rice Amino Acids, Lysine Lauroyl Methionate, Zinc Aspartate, Chitosan Ascorbate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Phytonadione, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract (orange), Triclosan, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract (grape), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water (witch hazel)

Acne Spot Treatment (3 out of 5 stars)
This spot treatment helps treat and repair blemishes for problematic skin. It is strong, and clears up blemishes and reduces redness quickly. I actually think this one may be too strong for my sensitive skin since it was a little drying, so I use it very sparingly. It contains 3% Sulfur Acne Treatment to minimize the severity of breakouts. The zinc oxide soothes and reduces inflammation. I think this product is geared toward more severe acne and not an occasional breakout.

This is a decent product, but I would rank it as good as Prescriptive's Spot Treatment, and better than Lancome's Spot Treatment.

The ingredients include sulfur, which can seem a bit overpowering for me. My recommendation for using this product is to use it sparingly until you know how your skin will react. For $15, I'm not sure that I would buy the spot treatment on its own because that gel treatment in the kit is a miracle worker for me.

Skin Perfecting Lotion (4 out of 5 stars)
Even oily skin like mine needs hydration. The skin perfecting lotion is a light, oil-free moisturizer that leaves skin hydrated every day without any nasty residue. It reduces redness and helps prevent clogged pores for a softer, more evenly balanced texture.

This gives my oily skin just the right amount of moisture without causing oil. It doesn't feel greasy and absorbs quickly without having a weird smell like some moisturizers. This is a nice lightweight moisturizer for all skin types.

Ingredients include: Water, Dicaprylyl Maleate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Phytonadione, Arnica, Montana Flower Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Extract, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium, Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Spiraea Ulmaria Extract, Honey Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Talc, C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphate, Gylcolipids, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Algae Extract, Dimethicone, Sodium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, Sclerotium Gum, Carbomer Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

Bottom Line
This kit worked better for me than more expensive lines such as Peter Thomas Roth and popular brands such as Proactive. My face has actually survived the summer humidity along with stress without a breakout. In fact, I just bought more Murad products off of Sephora through Amazon.com. I purchased more of the cleanser and bought the toner and mask (which wasn't included with the set, but I wanted to try it since I was so impressed with the other products). I still have the other products, but will repeat purchase everything but the spot treatment. I would highly recommend this trial starter set to try the products on your own.


Recommended: Yes