Dr. Howard Murad

Known as "The Father of Internal Skincare" and Modern Wellness, Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD, is recognized around the world as a leading visionary for his scientific innovations in skincare and as the founder of Murad, the world’s leading clinical skincare brand. His mission and passion are helping people unlock their potential to look younger, feel younger, and live healthier, happier, and more rewarding lives. Dr. Murad has written more than a dozen research-backed books on his inside-out approach to a healthier, happier life. From "The Murad Method" and "The Water Secret," which describe the importance of cellular hydration, to the "Surviving Cultural Stress" series, Dr. Murad’s books combine his inspirational philosophy with practical strategies for Modern Wellness.

Dr. Murad escaped from Baghdad with his family at the age of seven in 1946. During his early years, Murad held several jobs, including newspaper delivery boy, pinsetter in a bowling alley, soda jerk, golf caddy, gardener, and even Fuller Brush salesman. His relentless determination guided him to self-finance his college and pharmacy school education, and he subsequently worked as a pharmacist to support his medical studies.

His medical career took an unexpected turn when he served as a triage doctor in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. Upon his return, he pursued his newfound interest in dermatology and initiated his practice in a modest office in 1972. In the 1980s, he innovated by opening a "medi-spa," converging clinical care with beauty treatments. His innovative perspective led him to establish Murad, Inc. in 1989, ushering in his own line of skincare products. He currently holds 19 patents, representing his transformative research on cell health, hydration, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories, and more.

Dr. Murad believes that every aspect of one’s health is as interconnected as every cell in the body. This philosophy, which he calls Modern Wellness, is a whole-person approach designed to help people around the world nourish their skin with efficacious topical products, awaken their bodies through movement, be kind to their minds, manage their cultural stress, and “eat” their water by consuming water-rich fruits and vegetables.

In addition to his contributions to science, healthy living, and skin care, Dr. Murad has also made an impression on the art community with his research on the connection between the benefits of artistic expression and youth building, a whole-body method of preserving one's youthful appearance and good health. In 2008, after undergoing surgery to repair a detached retina, he was required to keep his head down with his chin to his chest for a month while the retina healed. At his wife's suggestion, Dr. Murad started painting to help pass the time and discovered an unexpected passion for art and a way to reintroduce play and freedom of expression into his life. Now an accomplished artist with hundreds of works exhibited and published, Dr. Murad has been benefiting his patients by incorporating art therapy and finding one’s passion as key elements of living a more beautiful, connected life.

Once referred to as the "dermatologist of the stars," Dr. Murad has received numerous recognitions for his work, including being named the Best Forward-Thinking Doctor by Vogue, Top 50 Men of the World That Understand Women by The Observer Woman, and a Beauty Genius by Elle. He was named an Industry Visionary by the International SPA Association and was inducted into Dermascope magazine’s Academy of Legends. Presently, he continues to write, paint, and engage in speaking about modern wellness, contributing not only with his skincare range but also by sharing his unique perspective on holistic wellbeing.