Spa Review: Murad Facial at Urban Retreat

Going to the spa at Urban Retreat Harrods is always a treat – from the calm waiting room opposite the perfume emporium and the professional staff to the delectable array of products that entice you as you try to leave. However I wasn’t feeling particularly relaxed when I went recently, I was stressed, frazzled and it was all showing on my face (when my mum told the teenage me I would grow out of breakouts, she was lying!).

I had decided to try out the Murad facial as I had heard wonderful things about it, and while I thought it would at least moisturise my dehydrated skin, I really didn’t expect much more – but boy was I happy to be proved wrong this time.

My therapist Bella assessed my skin to be hormonally stressed – dehydrated while at the same time sufffering a breakout – and decided that I would get the best results from a vitamin C facial. She started by cleaning my face and then steamed my skin and did blackhead extraction (not pleasant or relaxing but necessary and definitely worth it).

Next she applied the vitamin C lotion which she warned me would tingle but it wasn’t uncomfortable. After that it was a relaxing process of different cleansing and moisurising rituals. I’m not entirely sure what they were to be honest as I had my eyes closed and was just about nodding off at this stage.

Bella didn’t neglect my neck and decolletage either and the treatment also included massaging of my shoulders and arms.

At the end I was not only very relaxed but my skin looked dewy and fresh. There were no post facial breakouts – something I have sometimes experienced with other facials and my skin remained rehydrated and plump for days. Now if only I could afford one once a fortnight!

The Murad Signature Facial is available at Urban Retreat at Harrods for £100 and takes an hour and a quarter.