Murad Age-Balancing Moisturiser SPF 30 – honest review on acne-prone oily skin

I purchased Age-Balancing Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | PA+++ on Murad.com back in September 2021 and have been using it daily ever since. I wanted to wait before reviewing, to give me time to really understand how it’s changed my skin and what I think of it.

It was £65 back in September. It’s now £66 (+1.5%). You get 50ml for this price on Murad.com

I purchased Murad as I wanted a really good moisturiser that also has SPF protection for my 30+yo skin. Honestly, I’ve never been bothered or had SPF in my moisturiser. I only (previously!) wore sun protection on holiday – usually abroad – never in the UK. It’s only now I’ve started to protect my skin daily – I hope it isn’t too late!

So far I’ve tried a few moisturisers claiming to act like moisturiser but have sun protection – unfortunately they’ve either been a horrible consistency that leaves white residue on my skin, or too thick and blocked my pores so bad I’d sweat within 2 minutes of putting it on my face, even if I wasn’t doing anything that caused me to sweat.

The SPF is 30.

I decided to try Murad as they’ve got a lot of credible reviews, everywhere – on Cult Beauty (who only stock brands they believe in), Marks and Spencer, Selfridges – you name it – all the top places sell it. I read a ton of reviews, and they all were excellent, so I decided to give it a go.

£65 was a little hard for me to part with for a moisturiser, but I figured I wear my face every day – it deserves a proper looking after for the first time in my life.

I also got these 3 small samples when buying from Murad.com:

• AHA / BHA Exfoliating Cleanser Sample
• Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector Sample
• Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum Sample

Significantly improves hydration for youthful suppleness. Leaves skin hydrated, plump and smooth

What’s the consistency like?

It’s like any other moisturiser – thick, but not as thick or oily like normal sun protection lotions. It isn’t so thick you can’t smooth it across your face easily, and it sinks in very quickly which is great for me as I like to do my makeup not long afterwards.

I use a pea-sized amount and this does my whole face plus neck, ears and hands. It feels very smooth and a high-quality product.

It smoothes my fine lines and crows feet, and makes my face look glowy – I look healthy.

There is a very faint smell – not too perfumed though which I really don’t like in products. It’s a ‘clean’ smell – not as in cleaning products (gross!) but a clean smell as in I love the feeling I get after moisturising – I know I’m clean and ready to start my day.

Which skin type is it good for?

According to their website, it’s good for combination, dry and balanced. I’m not too sure what ‘balanced’ means to be honest.

good for combination, dry and balanced skin types

I have an oily T zone, dry patches either side of my nose/upper lip (random I know), and normal everywhere else. I’m happy to say it’s worked a treat on all places – it hasn’t even made my oily forehead worse, which some moisturisers have done.

Rich Yet Fast-Absorbing SPF Moisturiser Replenishes with Long-Lasting Hydration. This moisturiser deeply nourishes dull, dry skin while improving elasticity to renew a youthful glow. Broad spectrum SPF shields skin against UVA and UVB light. Absorbs fast for a non-greasy finish that wears comfortably under makeup.

Murad.com

What’s my verdict?

I’m chuffed with it – not only has it smoothed my fine lines/crows feet, it’s helped reduce the sun spots I had at the top of my forehead. I didn’t unfortunately take before pics so I can’t show you the difference. Previously I used to apply concealer to the top of my forehead, but I don’t now as I don’t feel like I need it.

I feel like I’m really looking after my skin by wearing it. Even though I only use a pea-sized amount, my skin feels smooth and glowy. Having SPF protecting me as well as it feeling so good on my skin is win-win.

Buying it for £65 back in September and still using it now in April is well worth the money. It’s pretty empty now, but I think I can get a few more weeks out of it.

Using as a primer?

I don’t use this moisturiser as a primer, but I do put it on last in a morning before my makeup. You (apparently) should put SPF on last, so that’s what I do. I add other lotions (usually vitamin c) first, then this Murad Age Balancing moisturiser, then my makeup. I always leave at least 10 minutes after putting it on before applying makeup, to allow time for it to sink in. Don’t forget to take any moisturiser off your lashes before applying mascara – I realised this is why I always get really bad panda eyes!

See my quick tutorial on how I apply it each morning: https://youtube.com/shorts/9-exc8i9K1c?feature=share

What’s the price?

It’s £66 for 50ml. I bought it in September and have used it once daily – there’s still a few weeks left.

Even if it lasted a few months, it’s well worth the money in my opinion. I’d spend this much money on clothes or bags without a second thought – why would I think about not spending this on my face – something that I see everyday!

Delivery is £3.95 or free over £30 on Murad.com

Discount codes

Looking at their website (murad.com) they’ve got loads of offers on – 10% (sometimes 20%) for signing up to their newsletter; free gifts when you spend over £120; 25% off gift sets. Well worth checking these out. I’d also have a nosy at their social media accounts to see if they’re promoting anything else.

UPDATE June’22

I haven’t been using it this past week due to the heatwave, and my skin has gone pretty bad with acne – whether it’s from being hot and clammy, or from not using this, I can tell ya I’m 100% happier now I’m back using it.

UPDATE Sept’22

Ordered a new bottle using a £10 off voucher that’s currently running on Murad.com – £56 total with a few samples! Still loving this moisturiser – it’s so thick but soaks in so well. I love it.