MURAD SENSITIVE SKIN HEARTLEAF COLLECTION | NEW IN

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It's winter, so what better time to launch a gentle skincare line for sensitive skin? Murad got the memo and this is their new collection featuring Heartleaf extract, which you might be familiar with from your favourite Korean skincare products. We're going to dive into this extract and the other ingredients in these products and how they worked for me, so if your skin is feeling a little unhappy this winter, keep reading...

As I mentioned, this collection centres around heartleaf extract and skin barrier boosters, plus it's formulated without common irritants like added fragrance. Heartleaf extract has hydrating benefits, but it's also anti-inflammatory, so can take down redness and irritation. It can also be antibacterial (helping to curb spot-causing bacteria) and has antioxidant properties, protecting the skin from free radical damage. This makes it a gentle all-rounder that's ultimately going to be suitable for just about any skin type.

We'll start with the Heartleaf Soothing Face Cleanser* | £29. This is a water-based but slightly milky cleanser that's non-foaming and lightweight. The texture would honestly suit any skin type; whilst it's not creamy and luxuriously rich, it does still have a moisturising feel but it's gel-adjacent and washes clean off the skin. It's formulated with glycerin to draw hydration into the skin, Beta-glucan (which has hydrating and skin-soothing benefits), microalgae which again can help to calm irritation, ceramides (a component of the skin's lipid barrier, helping to keep things calm and nourished), heartleaf extract (of course! This is calming, hydrating and has antioxidant benefits, protecting the skin from free radical damage) and fermented extracts, which could help support the skin's microbiome. It's simple but it works as a gentle, skin-friendly cleanser. I personally really enjoy this particular product and how soft and hydrated my skin feels after use, but I appreciate you don't need to spend £30 on this type of product!

Getting into the more exciting stuff; I was pleasantly surprised by the Heartleaf Gentle Resurfacing Serum* | £65. This is obviously designed to be a more sensitive-skin-appropriate chemical exfoliant in a leave-on overnight serum format. I was a little dubious of the fact that this contains glycolic acid; whilst this AHA is very effective at resurfacing the skin and making it glow, it's the most potentially-irritating option, in my opinion (PHAs and mandelic and lactic acids are a little less harsh). However, I tried it out anyway, and was impressed at how gentle it felt on my skin. After a little digging on the product page, I discovered that this is an 'encapsulated, microdose' form of glycolic acid; whilst this is pretty common for retinoids, I don't see it often in exfoliating acids, but I'm into it! Encapsulation slows down the absorption of an ingredient so it's less irritating on the skin. It's fragrance-free, like everything else in this line (but it's most relevant for an exfoliant), and also contains the combination of heartleaf, microalgae and ceramides. It's also formulated with moisturising plant oils, natural moisturising factors and allantoin to soothe the skin. It has a light, milky texture, it doesn't irritate my skin at all and ny morning my skin is soft, smooth and more radiant. It's pricey, but if you want all the benefits of a glycolic acid without the usual drawbacks; it could be worth the splurge...

Next, we have the Heartleaf Calming Cream* | £63. This moisturiser strikes a really nice balance between being lightweight enough for a variety of skin types to get along with it whilst also providing lasting hydration. My only real negative is that the ingredients are quite simple for a premium-priced moisturiser; it's formulated with the combination of heartleaf extract, ceramides and microalgae like the rest of the products in this collection. There's also urea (a natural moisturising factor), plant oils and glycerin for hydration. I really do enjoy the hydrating finish and the fact it leaves my skin plump and soft all day, I just feel like this is a little basic for a luxury moisturiser. I also like the breathable texture and can see myself using this in the summer as a lightweight skin barrier supporting night cream. I will use and enjoy this whilst I have it, but I don't think I could justify the replacement purchase unless there was a very good discount on!

Finally, I also tried out the Heartleaf Soothing Body Cleanser Wash* | £26. I not only have dry facial skin, but also very dry body skin, so I'm always on the lookout for body washes that are gentle, hydrating and non-stripping. This is formulated with the same trio of ingredients as the rest of the collection alongside lipids that mimic the skin's natural oils and help to replenish lost moisture. And I personally really like this body wash; it creates a nice lather so my skin feels refreshed and thoroughly cleansed but it isn't stripping, you have that clean, hydrated feel after use. My KP (keratosis pilaris - those dry, red, itchy bumps on the arms and legs that some of us get) tends to get worse in cold weather so it's really important to keep my body skin moisturised, and this cleanser helps keep my skin barrier in balance. Obviously, a hydrating body wash isn't life-changing, but if you suffer from a dry skin condition then this is well worth checking out.

Have you tried this collection or any other products featuring heartleaf extract?

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