Founder of the hugely popular and successful skincare company Murad, Dr Howard Murad came to Hong Kong last week to launch his new book “The Water Secret” and his new water based product, “Daily Eye Lift”.  TVB host Rebecca Yeung, had a chat with him last week at the launch, and BBHK were there to eaves drop…

Q. Hello Dr. Murad, How are you? Welcome to Hong Kong!
Dr. I’ve many questions want to ask you today. First, many women nowadays very concern about aging, is it really difficult to slow down the aging process?

By focusing on Inclusive Health, a three prong approach to care, you can not only slow down the aging process but also help reverse the visible signs of aging. The Water Secret demonstrates that the fundamental marker of youthful good health is the ability of the cell membrane to efficiently hold water. This can be accomplished by tending to your internal, topical and emotional self care. Everything from getting regular exercise, taking daily supplements, getting a good night’s sleep and taking time for oneself will encourage an increase in intercellular water.

Q.Dr. Murad then what is the Three-Tropical Solutions that you just mentioned?

To help with the topical prong of Inclusive Health, look for a simple three-step process that addresses 1) Cleansing/Toning, 2)Treating/Repairing, 3) Hydrating/Protecting and that meet the needs of your unique complexion. A fool proof routine is one that you’ll follow faithfully as consistency is a key factor in long-term skin health

Q.Dr. Murad, today I know you’re going to introduce a new breakthrough anti-aging patent ingredient?

Yes, a powerful Peptide sequence, Immuno- Skin Complex, that communicates with your skin-sending a signal triggering a vigorous immune response against the factors that age your skin. Encourages skin to produce more collagen and Elastin so it’s stronger , firmer and more radiant, just like young skin.
We’ve launched a complete anti-aging skin care line called Murad Professional, all the products contain this powerful ingredient Immuno-Skin Complex to comply with 3- step skin care routine.

Q.Dr. Murad, since eyes area is the most fragile and fast aging area, any product can help to delay the aging process?

Yes, our new Daily Eye Lift is a targeted, concentrated formula that immediately relaxes fine lines while lifting and tightening skin. The under eye area will be noticeably firmer after the first use. Continued use will boost skin’s resilience through increased production of collagen and elastin. Daily Eye Lift features Immuno-Skin Complex™, a proprietary compound comprised of immune modulators that help boost the skin’s defense to fight future fine lines and next generation peptides developed to repair existing damage.

Q.Dr. Murad, then how do we know our skin already shown sign of aging and take appropriate care as earlier as possible?

We have a high technology skin diagnosis machine called Reveal Camera can detect different types of problems beneath the skin that we’re not aware in our daily life. i.e. pigmentation, fine lines, dryness, oiliness and resilience etc.  Today we’ve a demo to show how this machine can detect the skin problems

Q.Dr. Murad, then how could we solve these kind of problems on eyes area?

Beauty eye care tips and how the Murad Professional Daily Eye Lift can help!

Q.Do we need to drink eight glassfuls of water a day?

Eight glasses means eight trips to the bathroom, flushing the system of vital nutrients and minerals. Colorful raw fruits and vegetables are the best form of water for your cells as they provide structured water so that the hydration stays in your system long enough for your body to put it to good use, not to mention the nutritional benefits of raw fruits and veggies over plain H20. Try to replace one glass of water a day with a raw fruit.  Eat your water and you won’t need to count your glasses. If you replace at least one glass of water a day with one serving of raw fruits or vegetables, it’ll help you to stay hydrated significantly longer.

Q. People always said cells don’t renew themselves quickly or easily, is it true?

False! The common pathway to aging and disease is cellular water loss. The health of our cells is the ultimate marker of the true health of our body. Within 10 weeks, virtually every cell in your body has turned over. By practicing Inclusive Health, you will give your body the best opportunity to produce healthy, strong cells in as little as 10 weeks.

Q. Is it we can get the nutrition we need from “healthy” organic foods?

False! Although there are some foods that should always be purchased from the organic section of the produce aisle, you should try to incorporate a few select organic products into your diet where possible. Don’t subtract form your current eating plan, just add to it!

Q. Dr. then we should buy what kind of organic fruits?

The most important fruits to buy organic are apples, Cherries, Pears, Nectarines, Peaches, and Strawberries. When not organic, these fruits often trap toxins – enemies of a healthy body and beautiful, glowing skin!

Q. Is it true that exercise causes dehydration?

No. By eating your water and taking daily supplements, you are flooding your body with nutrients that are vital in keeping your cells hydrated during exercise and regular activities.

Q. Are our looks mostly genetically determined? Just like some people say about Shanghai women, are they born with beautiful skin?

No. You may have no control of your genetic makeup but you do have control over the health of your skin and your cells. Beautiful skin is healthy skin. Healthy skin is beautiful.

Q. Dr. is it true that Modern stress is unavoidable?

False! Cultural Stress® is a phrase I use to describe the type of constant and pervasive stress through living a maxed-out, multi-tasking life. Cultural Stress takes a dramatic toll on overall health so it’s important to understand it so you can address your stressors. Take steps to combat stress by surrounding yourself with people you care about, quieting your mind by turning off your cell phone and television long before bed, participating in a physical activity, and of course, smiling and laughing freely. These small efforts will bring you big emotional changes, helping you to de-stress and enjoy life!

Q. Then how we can make relax our emotion? Is it we should ignore the naysayers from without and, more importantly, those from within?

Allow yourself to achieve your maximum potential and always remember, the best is yet to come.

Q. Is inflammation bad for us ?

Inflammation is routinely advertised as something bad for your health. In truth, inflammation is a warning sign that the body is trying to heal itself and thus a key to survival. To put this into perspective, disease causes inflammation, inflammation does not cause disease. Inflammation is a symptom of something else going on in the body that ushers the inflammatory response for help. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to “treat’ inflammation as you have to treat the causes of inflammation thus helping to heal your body and improve your health.

Q. What are the 10 steps to Inclusive Health?

1.   Eat Your Water
2.   Hydrate & Take Supplements
3.   Maximize Cellular Water and Muscle
4.   Practice Self Discipline
5.   Savor Sleep
6.   Try Something New
7.   Give Back
8.   Water Your Skin
9.   Relax
10. Celebrate Your Successes!

Dr Howard Murads new book The Water Secret and his new Daily Eye Lift featuring Immuno-Skin Complex™ is out now in Hong Kong.

With such changing weather and pollution in Hong Kong, so many of us suffer with problem skin.  In this weeks PowWOW we chat to Aromatherapy Associates founder, Geraldine Howard to find out her top tips for summer sun survival.

Q: During summer, what do you think are the most common beauty problems affecting Hong Kong women?
“The most common skin concern in the summer months is unwanted shine on the face. But, depending on what sort of environment you spend most time in, skin can also become very dry as a result of constantly going from air-conditioned offices to humid, hot conditions, which can result in a dull, flaky complexion.”

Q: Many people in Hong Kong are indoors all day and find that the air-conditioning dries out their skin, making it dull and flaky. How can people address this problem?
“It’s important to nourish skin, at both the beginning and the end of the day. To ensure skin is kept protected from the harsh conditions that can leave it lacking radiance and health, and looking dull, I would suggest the following regime:

Each morning, layer a serum over the skin, such as our Mattifying Skin Serum, which contains orange flower water (to calm), Oat Flour (to provide a matt finish), silk extracts (moisturizing and conditioning) and Tea-tree (anti-bacterial). This will help keep the skin looking healthy and nourished all day.

At night, give the complexion an extra ‘feed’, by layering products over the skin. Begin with an application of Mattifying Serum, followed by Refining Facial Oil and Orange Flower Mattifying Moisturizer. The moisturizer locks in the goodness of the essential oils and will intensively nourish skin in preparation for the day ahead.”

Q: What about fine lines and wrinkles?– these are especially a problem when you also have oily skin. Many people often don’t know if they should use a moisturizer for the lines or stay away altogether because of the oil?
“It’s important to combine both an oil and a moisturizer to help get rid of fine lines, even on oily skins. An oil designed for the face penetrates more deeply into the skin than a cream, delivering goodness and benefits in an area of the skin where they can really make an enormous difference. A moisturizer also provides intense nourishment and helps to ensure the surface of the skin is smooth and radiant. Our Refining Facial Oil was developed for oily skins and actually counteracts natural sebum to help even-out skin-tone.”

Q: Even though I’m an adult I still suffer from blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads. The summer heat and humidity make things even worse. What should I do to address this problem?
“I would always recommend using a serum that contains anti-bacterial essential oils, as this won’t weigh the skin down, but will provide just the right amount of conditioning to help eradicate blemishes and spots. As detailed above, our Mattifying Skin Serum contains a selection of anti-bacterial essential oils, which really do have a positive effect on more difficult skins.”

Q: I find that my skin reacts to most products. Do you have any recommendations for sensitive skin?
“Absolutely – choose products that contain English Chamomile, Evening Primrose Oil, Butchers Broom and Rice Extract. Probiotics are also excellent at calming skins that have a tendency to be more reactive. Sensitivity is often caused by reactions to heat, the environment and dietary issues, so it’s also important to look at these external and internal aggressors, as well as your topical skincare.”

Q: You have a number of facial oil products for the skin. Are these okay to use for oily skin types? Even in summer?
“Absolutely, as long as you use the correct blend. Our Skin Refining Facial Oil helps bring the skin’s own natural oils into balance with the healing, repairing and conditioning oils of Lavender, Rose, Ylang-Ylang and Vitamin E.”

Q: What is the difference between using an oil-based product and a traditional moisturizer?
“A carrier oil containing essential oils is able to penetrate into the blood stream and optimise the cellular renewal process, helping to directly treat the skin. A moisturiser containing essential oils can also deliver benefits deeper into the skin, but is generally more effective at treating the surface.”

Q: The heat also often makes it difficult to sleep, are there any remedies or rituals you could recommend?
“Bathe in our award-winning Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil before going to bed – the essential oils of Vetivert, Camomile and Sandalwood, help to soothe, calm and relax the body and instill a peaceful night’s sleep. Alternatively, add a few drops of Vetivert to a bowl of hot water and place next to the bed.”

Q: What kind of products help the skin adapt to environmental changes from indoors to outdoors or vice versa?
“Anything nourishing and protecting – rose is a fantastic essential oil for helping support capillary circulation and it creates a barrier on the skin to protect it from harsh, changing weather conditions.”

Q: Many products come with SPF nowadays; is it best to use as many products as possible that contain SPF – from moisturizer to foundation?
“No, you only need to use one form of SPF. I would always recommend either using a specifically designed product, which you apply on top of your normal moisturizer, or use a moisturizer that already contains an SPF (minimum 15). This is because it’s more likely that you will cover the entire face with a moisturizer, rather than a foundation. And don’t forget the neck, which can be one of the first areas to show signs of sun damage and skin ageing.”

Recommeded Products
Mattifying Skin Serum HK$437/50ml
Refining Facial Oil HK$530/15ml
Orange Flower Mattifying Moisturiser HK$608/50ml
Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil – HK$530/55ml

Stockists:
▪    The Mandarin Spa at The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
▪    Oriental Spa at Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
▪    Wellness Centre at Excelsior Hong Kong
▪    Sense of Touch, Repulse Bay and Lan Kwai Fong