Beauty

Murad’s New Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum Relies On A Game-Changing Ingredient

Move over retinol. It’s time for resorcinol. …

What does a beauty brand do when it has a long-running, number-one selling skincare product on its hands? If you’re Murad Skincare, you scrap the formulation completely and go all-in on something totally new. Introducing Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum, a soon-to-launch treatment geared at busting up hyperpigmentation in the skin.

In September, the brand said “so-long” to its widely-loved Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum, which has reigned as the number one brightening specialist in the US for three years in a row, according to NPD Group. One of the main differences between the two: the new formulation ditches hydroquinone for a new, patented tech that also promises to address the overproduction of melanin.

The move is a bit of a gamble — after all, there’s a reason hydroquinone has been called the gold standard ingredient for treating hyperpigmentation in skin for half a century. The ingredient helps prevent the appearance of dark spots by thwarting the development of tyrosinase, an enzyme in our skin that contributes to melanin production. But it also has a reputation for lightening skin surrounding the dark spot, drying skin over time, and even introducing new pigment problems to the fold with uninterrupted, long-term use. In short, for a so-called gold standard, the treatment carries a lot of caveats.

That’s why Murad Skincare brand founder, Dr. Howard Murad, and his team product developers have looked to other possibilities to eradicate dark spots in complexions of all tones. Welcome to resorcinol. After five decades of clinical research and more than 1,000 in-vitro experiments, resorcinol compounds have proven a skin-safe option for reducing dark spots. The Murad team opted to patent 4-Ethyl resorcinol and create a totally new serum to harness its power.

The serum’s patented compound has “exhibited extraordinary potency as a tyrosinase inhibitor. Specifically, it is a more potent human tyrosinase inhibitor than hydroquinone and was found to deliver the best clinical efficacy of other resorcinols,” explains Kristen Robinson, Murad’s senior director of new product development.

Thanks to its ability to absorb into skin and travel to where melanin production occurs, 4-Ethyl resorcinol can disrupt overproduction of melanin which accumulates into dark spots of hyperpigmentation. It’s a sweet feature, for sure, but its power to address hyperpigmentation doesn’t stop there.

As S. Manjula Jegasothy M.D., a Miami-based dermatologist who specializes in treating darker skin tones and has no affiliation with Murad Skincare notes, “darker skin types tend to develop a greater amount of hyperpigmentation after any type of inflammation, which tends to persist longer than lighter skin types if untreated.” To this end, Robinson says 4-Ethyl resorcinol has shown in clinical tests to “control PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), a condition that is significantly more prominent in melanin-rich skin tones.”

murad rapid dark spot correcting serum image

Courtesy of Murad.

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The resulting Murad Rapid Spot Correcting Serum ($72), which launches Nov. 18 on Murad’s website before being rolled out in stores on November 29, marries this comprehensive melanin-regulating tech with tranexamic and glycolic acids. The formula has been shown to reduce the look of dark spots in 14 days time for 84 percent of testers in a recent trial.

For our part, we love that the clear gel isn’t overwhelmingly tacky, something that plagues many skin-brightening formulations. What’s more, it didn’t leave our skin red, irritated or feeling dry like a hydroquinone-fueled formula might (likely thanks to the inclusion of soothing ingredients).

Is this breakthrough tech enough to usurp hydroquinone’s long, pigment-busting reign? Dr. Murad says not so fast: “I do not think hydroquinone will be going away any time soon for prescription products,” he says. “But resorcinol technology provides an alternative for those who want to skip the derm appointment and begin treating their dark spots immediately.”

Skipping the headache of COVID-era doctor’s appointments and the skin irritation that can come with hydroquinone use? Brighter days may be ahead after all.

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Artist Spotlight

How Rare Beauty Propelled Selena Gomez to Billionaire Status

Selena Gomez is a talented entertainer known for her work as a singer, actress, and producer, and she has recently reached an impressive milestone by becoming a billionaire. Much of her financial success comes from her cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty, which has quickly become popular since it launched in September 2020. The brand stands out for its dedication to inclusivity, mental health support, and clever marketing strategies.

1. The Idea Behind Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty was created to challenge traditional beauty standards and celebrate individuality. Selena wanted to build a brand that offered quality makeup while encouraging self-love and acceptance. The name “Rare” is inspired by her third studio album.

A key part of Rare Beauty’s mission is to be inclusive. When it launched, the brand offered an impressive variety of 48 shades of foundation and concealer, catering to many skin tones. The packaging also considers accessibility, making it easier for people with disabilities to use the products.

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2. Smart Marketing and Social Media Success

Selena took full advantage of her large social media presence to promote Rare Beauty. With over 400 million followers on Instagram, she shares her personal stories and shows how to use the products, which helps build a strong connection with her fans. This engagement has created a loyal customer base.

Rare Beauty also effectively utilizes social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, gaining significant attention and making it a popular choice among beauty lovers. One of their hit products, a liquid blush, sold over 3.1 million units in just a year, highlighting the success of their online marketing.

3. Strong Financial Growth

The brand’s financial success has been impressive, generating about $350 million in revenue in 2023, a 50% increase compared to the previous year. By May 2024, Rare Beauty’s value had grown to over $2 billion, showing its strong place in the market.

This financial success has also boosted Selena’s personal wealth. In September 2024, she became a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, primarily thanks to her ownership of Rare Beauty. At 32 years old, she is one of the youngest self-made female billionaires in the U.S.

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4. Media Attention and Public Interest

The rise of Rare Beauty and Selena’s billionaire status has been widely reported in the media. A notable article from Bloomberg discussed the brand’s strategies and how they’ve resonated with consumers. The piece received extensive coverage, reaching over 250 media outlets and generating more than 1.8 billion impressions, highlighting the significant impact of her success.

5. A Commitment to Mental Health

In addition to its commercial achievements, Rare Beauty focuses on mental health. The brand has created the Rare Impact Fund, promising to donate 1% of sales to mental health initiatives, aiming to raise $100 million over the next ten years. This effort aligns with Selena’s commitment to mental health awareness, which many consumers appreciate in a brand.

Selena Gomez’s journey from entertainer to entrepreneur illustrates how she combines her values and understanding of the market with a genuine connection to her audience. Rare Beauty’s rapid growth shows a strong demand for inclusive and socially responsible beauty products. Selena’s story highlights the new wave of celebrity entrepreneurs, where authenticity and advocacy are just as important as the products they sell.

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Artist Spotlight

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” Reigns as the Ultimate Summer Soundtrack

Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” is a catchy new summer soundtrack. It evokes the sunshine, excitement of nightlife, and happiness that come with a true summer song. Co-written with the talented Mark Ronson, “Dance The Night” is a full-on experience that has quickly become the standout track of the season.

Not only is Dua Lipa a massive music star with multiple number-one hits, but this summer, she also made her acting debut as Mermaid Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. It was only natural for her to be part of the film’s soundtrack, and she truly delivered. “Dance The Night” captures the fun and energy of her previous hits while turning it up with even more sparkle and good vibes, making it impossible not to dance along.

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“Dance The Night” was on the fast track to success. It quickly climbed to the top of the music charts, marking Dua’s fourth number-one song and adding to her growing legacy with hits like “New Rules,” “One Kiss,” and “Cold Heart.” This is about creating a lasting impact.

“Dance The Night” became the soundtrack for fun moments, whether at parties or dancing alone in your room. It’s the perfect song to play when you want to dress up, grab your friends, and dance the night away, just like Barbie does in the movie.

No summer track is complete without a great music video, and “Dance The Night” doesn’t disappoint. Featuring eye-catching visuals, impressive dance moves, and even a surprise appearance from the director, Greta Gerwig, the video captures all the exciting energy of the song. It also shows Margot Robbie’s Barbie living her best life, reminding us that having fun and being confident is always in style.

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What makes “Dance The Night” the ultimate summer song? It’s upbeat and instantly lifts your mood, making you want to dance. Its lyrics invite you to enjoy the moment, and it succeeds on all fronts. Dua Lipa has a knack for creating both familiar and new songs. With its lively disco sound, beautiful strings, and catchy rhythm, “Dance The Night” pays tribute to the classic dance music of the past while still feeling modern. It’s vibrant, exhilarating, and simply irresistible.

In a summer filled with movies, exciting pop moments, and unforgettable times, “Dance The Night” shines as the perfect soundtrack. Whether you’re watching Barbie on the big screen or dancing under the stars, Dua Lipa has given us another fantastic song to which we’ll keep dancing even as summer ends.