Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield

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Let me start of my series of in depth murad reviews with the one that is most confusing: The Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield.

What confuses me about it? I don´t know which category to put it in. Is it a sunscreen or is it a primer? Is it makeup or is it skincare? We will come to that, and we will of course answer the most important question too: Is the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield worth your money?

 

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30/PA+++
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30/PA+++

 

I guess I need to explain why the distinction between primer and sunscreen is so important to me. There are quite a few of these hybrid products on the market available after all, and even more if you count all the foundations and day creams with a proclaimed SPF as well.

The reason is simple: Because it matters for my application. And it should matter for yours too. You see, if a product claims SPF 30 on the packaging, it has been tested and does provide SPF 30.

If you apply the right amount.

If you apply less, you will get exponentially less protection.

And, be honest here, do you apply as much primer (foundation, day cream) as is recommended for a sunscreen? I surely don´t. And if I do, on purpose, it feels weird, plain wrong. No one wants half a teaspoon of primer on their face. Not even if the primer feels as good as the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield.

 

What Murad Age Reform Invisiblur Perfecting Shield claims

Blurs. Primes. Protects. Skincare meets makeup in this non-comedogenic, colorless hybrid primer that flatters any skin tone. A skin-perfecting blend of mushroom peptides treats as Soft-Focus Complex primes for up to 12 hours of flawless makeup wear, visibly reducing the appearance of pores, fine lines and uneven texture. Invisible SPF shields against UVA/UVB damage without streaks or a white cast.

 

Murad Invisiblue Perfecting Shield
The pump head

 

Facts about the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield

Prize and size

One bottle contains 30 ml of product and retails for 73,99 € at Douglas here (Murad Skincare is exclusive to Douglas in Germany). It is a pump bottle that delivers the perfect amount of product for priming your face. Should you plan to use it as SPF, you´d probably need 3 pumps.

 

Texture and smell

It comes as no surprise should you take a look at the ingredient list that this primer feels very silicone. And I mean that in the best possible way, as in smooth upon application and almost powdery to the touch. There is some slip at first, but after a few seconds the only thing left is a smooth, velvet canvas to apply your makeup on.

The product is scented, but in a very subtle way. It just smells slightly powdery, I´d say.

 

Ingredients of the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield

Favorable ingredients
  • Isodocecane: Emollient
  • Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer: Emollient
  • Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride:Occlusive, antioxidant
  • Phenyl Trimethicone: Silicone, emollient
  • Propylene Glycol Dicaprate: Emollient
  • Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides: Emollient
  • Black Current Seed Extract:Antiinflammatory
  • Octyldodecyl Oleate: Emollient, reduces greasy feeling of a product
  • PEG – 8 Dimethicone: Emollient
  • Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate: Occlusive
  • Barley Extract (Hordeum vulgare): Antioxidant
  • Butylene Glycol:Humectant, penetration enhancer
  • Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake Mushroom) Extract: antioxidant, antiinflammatory
  • Mucor Miehei Extract: contains protease aka enzymatic exfoliant
  • Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract: Rich in antioxidants
  • Ascorbic Acid: reduces hyperpigmentation, important for collagen production, antioxidant
  • Tocopheryl Acetate: More stable form of Vitamin E, antioxidant
  • Retinyl Palmitate: Weakest form of retinoid, bound to a fatty acid. Less irritant, but usually less effective
  • Silica: Mineral
  • Cucumis sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract: Rich in Vitamin C, other antioxidants and trace minerals
  • Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract: antioxidant, antiseptic, balancing
  • Solidago Virgaurea (Goldenrod) Extract: antioxidant

 

Other ingredients
  • Caprylyl Methicone: Silicone, increases spreadability
  • Hydrogenated Soy Bean Oil: Processed oil with more trans fats, used for viscosity control
  • C15 – 23 Alkane: Solvent
  • Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cake:Adsorbent
  • Octyldodecanol:Prevents separation
  • Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica: Thickener

 

Unfavorable ingredients
  • Alcohol (potentially drying)
  • Citral, Limonene, Linalool (irritants)
  • Fragrance (perfume)
  • Hexyl Cinnamal (Fragrance)
  • Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde (Fragrance)

 

This is a silicone based formula, and it gets its SPF via 2% Avobenzone (UVA), 4% Homosalate (UVB), 4% Octisalate (stabilizes Avobenzone, weak UVB protection) and 2% Octocrylene (stabilizes Avobenzone, UVB and a little UVA). While these are not the most modern filters, you need to keep in mind that it is based on US regulations, so there isn’t as much choice as there is in the EU.

Red flags for some might be the alcohol (middle of the ingredient list) as well as essential oils/fragrance as triggers for sensitive skin. I can´t comment on the mushroom peptides as only Shiitake Mushroom and Miehei Mushroom extract are listed as ingredients and I haven’t read any research on mushroom peptides yet. (I do however have a blog post dedicated to peptides in skincare here)

 

Murad Invisiblue Perfecting Shield
This is how it looks like close up.

 

What is Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield

Now that we have looked at ingredients, texture and packaging, can we answer the initial question we had? Is it more makeup or skincare? I think we can.

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield is a primer for me, and belongs into the makeup category. It is not that I dislike the filters used, but I don’t think the texture lends itself to an application thick enough to work as sunscreen, and while there are some skincare ingredients in the formula, they wouldn’t excite me on their own.

 

How to use the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield

I use it whenever I need a longlasting and flawless base. For long days at the office for example, as first makeup step, around 20 minutes after I applied a dedicated sunscreen.

I might even use it in the winter for days spend indoors, when I do want sun protection, but am not that concerned about really getting an SPF 50 on my face.

Just apply one pump to your face with your fingers and blend your foundation on top.

 

Does it live up to its claims?

Yes.

It blurs and primes and it does offer some protection against UVA and UVB without strikes or white cast.

 

Would I repurchase?

No.

While I like it for photoshoots, for long days and even for filming, I don’t think I would. There are other silicone based primers at the drugstore, and while they don’t offer the skincare benefits and sun protection, this is not worth the extra money for me.

 

Who do I recommend it to?

If you spend your days mainly indoors, away from windows and with the need of a flawless and long-lasting base this is for you.

 

Is Murad cruelty-free?

On Murad’s website, they state that “Murad never tests any products on animals & uses only ingredients that have not been animal tested. We only test on humans. We do sell our products in Hong Kong but not mainland China so we are not required to test on animals.”

 

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield
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