Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Anti-blemish
- Anti-oxidation
- Anti-aging
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Key actives
Product Summary
"Mario Badescu - Drying Cream" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Mario Badescu - Drying Cream ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, arginine, glutamic acid, glycerin and glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Paraffinum liquidum, arginine, beeswax, cera alba and cetyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 22.00CA$ up to 42.04CA$ in Canada, for 46.02A$ in Australia, from 12.50$ up to 17.00$ in the United States and from 13.90£ up to 16.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Works for
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Mario Badescu Drying Cream clarifies and targets surface bumps, blemishes and spots with clarifying and oil-absorbing Sulfur and Zinc Oxide.
Source: Mario Badescu
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: sulfur. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Aloe Vera, Biotin, Lemon Extract, Lysine, Anti-inflammatory burdock and Vitamin B and Vitamin E help to re-balance, soothe and moisturize skin.
Source: Mario Badescu
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
arginine, glutamic acid.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine, beeswax.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol, paraffinum liquidum
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin and might be helpful against hyperpigmentation
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
Might have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Anti-aging
This product contains lysine. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (cysteine) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin and might be helpful against hyperpigmentation
Plant extract. Has some anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mario Badescu Drying Cream | Current | $12.50 | |
 REVOLUTION SKINCARE Overnight Targeted Blemish Lotion | 69% | ≈ $6.70 | |
 Some By Mi Super Miracle Spot All Kill Cream | 68% | ≈ $12.64 | |
 Kiehl's Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment | 67% | $32.00 | |
 innisfree Brightening Pore Spot Treatment | 66% | - | |
 Ahava Apple Of Sodom Deep Wrinkle Filler | 63% | ≈ $93.26 |
Key Actives
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin and might be helpful against hyperpigmentation
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
Potential irritants
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
Plant extract. Has some anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
Used as a fragrance or masking agent
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Comedogenic ingredients
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
All ingredients
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin and might be helpful against hyperpigmentation
Plant extract. Has some anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
Used as a fragrance or masking agent
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Might have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
Ingredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Cetyl alcohol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Beeswax, Polysorbate 80, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Sulfur, Oleth-10, Paraffinum liquidum, Ichthammol, Propylene glycol, Hydrolyzed yeast protein, Triticum vulgare starch, Parfum, Cellulose gum, Polysorbate 20, Citrus limon fruit extract, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Sodium chloride, Cysteine, Methylparaben, Arctium lappa root extract, Glutamic acid, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine hcl, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Maltodextrin, Zinc chloride, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract, Potassium sorbate, Propylparaben, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Arginine, Leucine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Valine, Biotin, Benzyl benzoate, Linalool, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Titanium dioxide
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