I'm pretty picky... and I have never called any beauty product a holy grail anything. But this here...

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

This here is the Murad Hydrodynamic Quenching Essence and it is absolutely magnificent.

This silky, weightless moisture-enhancing treatment optimizes skin’s capacity to retain hydration, leaving it soft, plump and youthful.
• 100% instantly saw smoother, silkier, more supple skin texture*• 94% saw plumper, more resilient skin with a visible boost in bounce*

It's also a whopping $78.00. I need to point that out because not everybody has $78.00 to spend 1 oz. of essence. For me, I racked my brain about this purchase before I actually made it. And yes, I said one ounce. So why on earth did I feel I had to have it and why is this a holy grail product for me?

Because my skin feels amazing and it's not just short term. There is a glow and it's not just in my head. Those statistics you see above? I am part of that 100% so count me in, Murad! And lastly, because I deserve it! >flips hair<

If you haven't heard already, I have oily skin. Technically, this isn't marketed as a moisturizer per say, but I use it as one. I typically don't use moisturizers on my face because my skin is oily. But there's this thing called wrinkles. Don't want any more of those. And I suspect my "luck" with the oily skin will run out as I age.

On to a million product pictures :)

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

If Mexican Blue Agave Leaf is the thing that makes my skin feel incredibly smooth after I use this, more of that everywhere!

Mexican Blue Agave Leaf: A source for fiber for clothing, sweetening syrup, tequila and traditional skin healing preparations, the Mexican Blue Agave has proven to be a plant of exceptional value. Now, a new advance in skin hydration has been extracted from the plant’s naturally high levels of oligosaccharides that Dr. Murad has added to his most advanced, hydration focused anti-aging formulas. This extract harnesses the power of these complex sugars to help restore skin's capacity for continuous hydration—a feature of the skin’s surface that declines during age. (from Murad.com)

Other Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycolic Acid, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Yeast Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid, Chitosan, Propyl Gallate, Disodium EDTA, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance (Parfum) (from Murad.com)

The packaging sure does help lure you into purchasing. I love the cylindrical, smooth shape. It just fits into your hand perfectly as if it belongs there. And you start to wonder, where have you been all my life? 

However, I do have one qualm with the packaging which is when you run out, you can't scrape ever last drop out of it. I have a good mind to break open the jar because I feel like there is more hiding in there. That's my only complaint about the product.

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Quenching Essence

The product itself is a lightweight cream with a slight fragrance to it that isn't strong or invasive. It doesn't linger after it's rubbed in, especially if you are following up with a moisturizer. I started out using four pumps of this when I got it as a sample. I geared that pack to two pumps after I noticed how quickly it runs out using it morning and night. This is usually the fourth step in my regimen, fifth if I'm sheet masking. You will notice right away the silky, smooth texture your skin takes on after massaging this into your face. 

As far as my oily skin, it doesn't make me feel overwhelmed with moisture or heavy on my skin. It's the perfect moisturizer for someone with oily skin. Murad has a matching moisturizer in the line, which I found pretty thick and heavy for me. For those of you with drier skin, I'm not entirely sure that this essence would be an adequate moisturizer for you by itself.

Would I buy this again? Absolutely. It's the most exciting part of my skincare regimen. I literally can't wait to use this every morning and night. I say, if you're on the fence about it, go get a sample. You will fall for it, just like I did.

-XX