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Mario Badescu Anti Acne Serum
Mario Badescu

Mario Badescu Anti Acne Serum

Efficacy41/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Propylene glycol
Works
What the product description says
“- Replenishing Glycerin: Moisturizes skin by retaining moisture and can also help to fight the appearance of wrinkles.”
Source: Mario Badescu

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, propylene glycol.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~4–6%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~1.6–2.4%
Evens skin tone
Salicylic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“- Clarifying Thyme Leaf Extract: A herbal wonder, Thyme is circulation inducing, which in turn, helps acne scarring – fade.”
Source: Mario Badescu

This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.

Salicylic acidEffect: LowUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~1.2–1.8%
Anti-aging
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“- Replenishing Glycerin: Moisturizes skin by retaining moisture and can also help to fight the appearance of wrinkles.”
Source: Mario Badescu

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Diazolidinyl urea, Thymus vulgaris extract
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Isopropyl alcoholA drying alcohol. Can increase skin's sensitivity and cause dryness and irritationHigh~2.7–4.1%est.
Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~1.2–1.8%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~1.6–2.4%est.
Diazolidinyl ureaA preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritatingHigh~0.25–0.5%est.
Thymus vulgaris extract—High~0.45–1.05%est.
Ci 19140A yellow dyeHigh~0.1–0.3%est.
Ci 16035A red dyeHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
TriethanolamineUsed to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smellMedium~3.6–5.3%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Ci 16035A red dye3/5~0.05–0.25%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel
Tula Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel
Higher efficacy · 100/10098% match
Acne Precision Serum
Hypothesis Acne Precision Serum
Higher efficacy · 75/10098% match
$44.99
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Glycerin~4–6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Triethanolamine~3.6–5.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell

More about Triethanolamine
Isopropyl alcohol~2.7–4.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A drying alcohol. Can increase skin's sensitivity and cause dryness and irritation

More about Isopropyl alcohol
Salicylic acid~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatoryExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid
Propylene glycol~1.6–2.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Carbomer~1.1–1.7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations

More about Carbomer
Diazolidinyl urea~0.25–0.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating

More about Diazolidinyl urea
Thymus vulgaris extract~0.45–1.05%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Thymus vulgaris extract
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Ci 19140~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A yellow dye

More about Ci 19140
Ci 16035~0.05–0.25%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
3/5

A red dye

More about Ci 16035
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Isopropyl alcohol, Salicylic acid, Propylene glycol, Carbomer, Diazolidinyl urea, Thymus vulgaris extract, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ci 19140, Ci 16035

Compare prices

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/12 15:17 GMT
$20.00
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Mario Badescu
$20.00
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Revolve
$20.00
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Mario BadescuAnti Acne SerumYOUR PRODUCTHypothesisAcne Precision SerumTulaAcne Clearing + Tone Correcting GelEmma STreatment Niacinamide Formula
Match—98%98%96%
Price$20.00$44.99+$24.99——
Shared key ingredients—2 of 22 of 22 of 2
Key difference—PanthenolAzelaic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
  4. 4
    A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
  5. 5
    Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Studyonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Mario Badescu Anti Acne Serum
Mario BadescuAnti Acne Serum
Buy at Mario Badescu$20.00$20.00as of 11/12 15:17 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Mario Badescu$20.00$20.00as of 11/12 15:17 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.