Save 50% On This Firming Face Serum That Reviewers Call 'Truly Life-Changing' | HuffPost Life

Murad is a clinical skin care company we often cover at HuffPost — not for any sort of brand loyalty but simply because the products work and readers love to know about them. Hardly a budget brand, their effective formulas appear to reward anyone willing to splurge on them. However, today with the sale Ulta is running (and that Sephora seems to be matching 👀), you can grab Murad’s Retinal ReSculpt overnight treatment for a jaw-dropping 50% off. Meaning the splurge in question went from over $100 to $52.50. It’s the biggest discount we’ve seen on this product this year. The only catch? This sale is today only.

In previous reporting, Dr. Brendan Camp a board-certified dermatologist said Murad products generally seem to be worth the price tag, which is all the more reason to grab them on sale. This is certainly true for this “sculpting” face and neck serum that employs a potent twist on a well-known ingredient: retinal.

While all retinoids have been proven to promote cellular turnover rate and increase collagen production, retinal is considered extra powerful. Because the retinal in the ReSculpt Serum is encapsulated, it penetrates deeper into the skin, yet appears to cause less irritation than traditional retinol preparations, especially those that are prescription-strength.

This overnight treatment is a lightweight cream that reviewers claim boosts elasticity, targets volume loss in areas like the neck and jowls, smooth wrinkles and boosts moisture — all with the help of that special retinal.

Aside from this hero ingredient, the ReSculpt serum contains other anti-aging helpers in its formulation like kangaroo paw flower, an extract that may be able to support collagen production and create a more tightened and “sculpted” appearance, though it’s worth noting that these claims are fairly under-studied.

It also features a hydrating base of olive, oat and alpha glucan that work together to restore the skin’s barrier, which can get thinner and more compromised with age.

One reviewer wrote that after just four nights of continued use, the ReSculpt managed to deliver a dramatic improvement in the tone and texture of their skin, diminishing wrinkles, especially in tricky areas like the neck.

Other reviews possessed similarly impressive endorsements, many of which you can read just below. Or, if you want to save yourself a whopping $52.50 on this, as another reviewer put it, “miracle cream” then hurry and head over to Ulta.

“I have used retinol products for years, and this is by far the best product I have ever used. I was astonished that after just 1 use, I saw an actual difference the next morning. My skin looked plump and my laugh lines were far more diminished than usual. To my surpirse, my face really did look “lifted.” Highly recommend!! If you’re questioning it, don’t - just buy it! Well worth the price tag.” — Ari

“This is the best Retinal cream I have used! I’m olive undertone, with mildly dry sensitive skin, in my mid 40′s. This is the first cream that did not excessively dry and peel my skin. All other retinol creams, including rx, have irritated and dried my skin worse. Murad has the secret formula!! This product is pricey, and rarely on sale. So definitely use your points and buy it with any discount possible. Murad has smoothed and noticeably rejuvenated my face” — Flower

“I love this product. I use a prescription retinal on my face but find it too harsh for my neck. This is perfect as a neck cream. It gives me the benefit of retinal without being too harsh for delicate skin. I am sure it would be equally good on the face if you cannot tolerate prescription strength products.” — Kimberly

“I was noticing my neck getting wrinkly/lines and I was flabbergasted.I bought this at a spa actually and tried it and it WORKS. I’ve been using it almost a yr. I have big boobs as well and get lines on my chest when I wake up and use it there as well” — Mali

“Undoubtedly, this night treatment surpasses all others I have tried. As someone with sensitive skin prone to acne, finding a product that delivers exceptional results has been a challenge. However, after incorporating Murad Retinal into my skincare routine, I have witnessed remarkable transformations. Over the course of a few weeks, my complexion has become visibly lifted, and my once prominent pores have significantly diminished in size. It is undeniable that Murad Retinal reigns supreme as the ultimate treatment in today’s market.” — Annie

A dermatologist previously told HuffPost that this internet-viral French cream contains three different types of retinol in effective concentrations, without being as overly sensitizing as prescription preparations. In fact, some users who had been using prescription-strength Tretinoin then made the switch to this alternative, say they prefer A313 and have maintained the same results that they had with the prescription-strength formula.

Its distinctive occlusive texture is closer to a balm, which according to reviewers, can be more hydrating compared to other pricier formulations that you might find on the OTC market. The brand claims that the 2% retinol concentration can help unclog pores, minimize fine lines, reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin texture.

The Medik8 Crystal Retinal serum can help to address typical signs of aging like wrinkles, texture and tone quickly and efficiently. It's balanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep skin supple, soft, smooth and hydrated. It's a great mid-price jumping-off point for anyone curious about trying a retinal.This cream is the highest run on Medik8's Crystal Retinal ladder, boasting 0.2% retinal (if you're wondering about the difference between retinol and retinal, read this). It's for the most advanced skin care lovers and has double the concentration of the previous highest strength.

This Paula's Choice multi-action cream uses the addition of 3% bakuchiol to boost the retinol’s efficacy and can also mitigate the symptoms of irritation that can occur in products that contain just retinol alone. This is because bakuchiol is a less irritating plant-based alternative to traditional retinoids that still has the capacity to promote cellular turnover. This fast-absorbing serum has a lotion-like texture and is also formulated with peptides that support collagen production to improve the look of firmness while delivering multi-level support and nourishment to the skin.

Differin, probably the best known of adapalene-based products, claims that the more toned-down nature of this active ingredient compared to other retinoids makes it a good all-over face treatment that is suitable for everyday use, even sensitive skin types. Like other forms of retinoids, adapalene, which until 2018 was only available by prescription, works by increasing the skin’s cellular turnover rate — a process that slows down naturally as we age — and prevents new acne from forming.

This high-dose retinoid serum from Sunday Riley has been a recurring character in skin care lineup and I highly recommend it to anyone that wants to up their retinol dosage without over-sensitizing their skin. What makes Sunday Riley's A+ serum so great is that it uses a 6.5% retinoid blend composed of encapsulated retinol, retinoid ester and retinol-alternative extracts that can work to dramatically improve skin tone and texture.

The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)