My Verdict on This Targeted Treatment and Mask for Deep Blemish-Prone Skin

Put a finger up if you’ve ever put toothpaste on a breakout and another for destroying your skin barrier with excessive use of harsh spot treatments (tea tree oil I’m looking at you!).

Being a skincare enthusiast, somewhere at the tail end of my mid-20s, I believed my days of blemishes were far behind me.

That's until I spent most of 2023 trying to calm my excessive breakouts and repair my damaged skin barrier.

I’m yet to find an effective, at-home solution to neutralise breakouts, without aggravating my skin.

So naturally, when I was asked to put Murad’s new Deep Relief Blemish Treatment and Rapid Relief Sulfur Mask to the test, I was very keen.

With a mission to create science-backed wellness through skincare for healthier skin and happier lives, it was as though the stars had aligned when this dynamic duo landed in my letterbox.

If you're interested in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin (I have one on the way to you soon), in the meantime, read on for my honest review on these skin-calming and blemish-prone targeted treatments…

What Is the New Murad Deep Relief Treatment?

What: Murad Deep Relief Blemish Treatment

A scientifically-backed, blemish treatment that uses its invisible ‘second skin’ polymer to lock in the maximum strength, bacteria-banishing 2% salicylic and amino acid technology formula to clear and calm, deep blemish-prone complexions, without the irritation and side-effects of alternative solutions.

Other standout features:

• 2% salicylic acid in the formula improves the appearance of and prevents future blemishes. 

• Powerful ground cherry extract heals, neutralises and subdues the redness of deep blemishes.

• Amino acid technology attacks bacteria.

• Invisible polymer ‘second skin’ technology locks in actives on the skin longer for greater penetration.

• Has a potent but gentle formula that’s scientifically-developed for most skin types.

My Murad deep relief blemish treatment Review:

The Murad Deep Relief Blemish Treatment is a lightweight, fast-absorbing, opaque serum that glides onto skin seamlessly and within seconds dries to be completely undetectable.

Looking for an adult acne treatment can be hard. You can almost think of this as a spot treatment.

Once I dabbed the formula onto the affected area I felt a pleasant, mild, menthol-like sensation on the skin which indicated to me something was happening.

With breakout-prone skin, it’s hard to pinpoint what is causing the positive change and what is just fluff.

Scarring and pigmentation are like the unwanted tax that breakouts leave, especially once they’ve burst (whether you’ve pushed them along or popped them yourself).

I wish I could say this is the magical solution to erasing breakouts overnight, but alas it is not.

Skincare takes time to work. So I look forward to seeing the long-term results.

It did however, subdue the irritation of my cyst-like blind breakouts after applying consistently for a few days and appeared to make good on accelerating the healing process of deep, uncomfortable blemishes that continue to erupt on my face when I let stress get the better of me.

If you’re consistently experiencing deep blemishes and considering seeking out prescriptions and steroid shots; I’d recommend giving this potent and soothing formula a go first.

The only small issue I have with this product is the packaging.

Don't get me wrong, the matte glass and brushed silver cap look 10/10 on my shelfie, but for practicality reasons, I would have loved a dropper to minimise any hygiene issues.

What is the Murad Rapid Relief Sulfur Mask?

What: Murad Rapid Relief Sulphur Mask

Skin barriers rejoice! This bacteria-fighting, triactive mask promises to minimise the size and frequency of breakouts, redness and congestion in 3 uses *and* improve the skin’s overall texture in just 10 minutes.

Big clay energy right there!

Other standout features:

• Odour-neutralised 5% sulfur to treat and prevent breakouts; with eucalyptus for a sensory experience.

• Salicylic acid chemically exfoliates for a smoother skin texture.

• Gentle kaolin clay helps restore the skin’s oil balance and rids the skin of impurities without excessively drying or stripping it.

• Austrian peat extract hydrates and soothes, visibly reducing the appearance of redness on breakout-prone skin.

• Suitable for balanced, oily, combination and sensitive skin types.

My Rapid Relief Sulfur Mask review:

Cool, calm and collected.

That's how my face felt after swiping on a thin layer of this mask on my inflamed skin. 

Forget the crustiness that you usually experience with clay masks, this 5%, sulfur-rich formula glides on and sets with elasticity, so there’s no heavy ‘mud mask’ sensation on application.

Unlike that red flag in your DM’s, you get all the benefits of bacteria-banishing sulfur without the lousy stench, courtesy of the sensory-evoking eucalyptus oil.

This mask is a smooth operator and gets to work without leaving a foul smell or your bathroom looking like a pottery studio.

Plus, unlike most clay masks, there’s no scrubbing required.

The excessive scrubbing required to remove most clay masks is why I usually avoid them; there’s nothing worse than stripping my already delicate situation and destroying the skin barrier.

After the three uses I committed to, this sumptuous, sulfur-rich delight left my skin feeling hydrated and noticeably removed the excess oil and shine, courtesy of the formula’s Austrian peat extract and kaolin clay.

The ritual of applying a face mask was also a wellness practice that helped me stress less, even if it was just momentarily.

This perfectly aligns with Dr Murad’s mission to encourage happier lives through healthy skin and to “Stress less" and "Be imperfect."

The balancing and hydrating nature of the mask makes it compatible with most skin types experiencing breakouts.

I’d recommend it to not only those in the trenches like myself; battling what feels like a never-ending loop of blemish-prone skin, but to anyone experiencing breakouts, blackheads and congestion to restore balance without impairing the skin barrier.

Final Thoughts...

With consistent use, Murad’s Rapid Relief Sulfur Mask and Deep Relief Blemish Treatment provide an effective alternative to other formulas without the nasty side effects.

I can see why their luxe price tag would make it hard for some to repurchase, however, if you’re looking for a soothing solution for a bout of breakouts and have a spare $138 to spend (not bad for two products) these scientifically-backed products are your best bet.

Keen for some more skincare content? Check out these BIQ articles below:

• Five Ways to Even Out Your Skin Tone According to a Dermal Therapist

• The Ordinary’s Rosehip Seed Oil Has Earned Its Best-Seller Badge, Here’s Why

• We Asked a Dermal Therapist Everything About Double Cleansing and Why You Should Be Doing It