Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing17 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Drying Cream”
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
Anti-blemish4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Mario Badescu Drying Cream Introducing Mario Badescu's Drying Cream, sister to the iconic Drying Lotion, this is ideal for treating small, surface-level blemishes and bumps thanks to a blend of clarifying ingredients that swiftly dispel redness and inflammation.”
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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Citrus limon fruit extract, Parfum + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide~44–54%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Zinc oxideWater~11–13%
Zinc oxide~5.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Zinc oxideCetyl alcohol~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholAloe barbadensis leaf juice~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceCera alba~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Cera albaBeeswax~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about BeeswaxPolysorbate 80~1.7–2.1%
Glycerin~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinEthylhexyl palmitate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitatePropylene glycol~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolSulfur~0.7–1.05%
Oleth-10~0.65–0.95%
Paraffinum liquidum~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Paraffinum liquidumIchthammol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed yeast protein~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Triticum vulgare starch~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Arctium lappa root extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract. Has some anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Arctium lappa root extractCysteine~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin and might be helpful against hyperpigmentation
More about CysteineNiacinamide~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about NiacinamidePanthenol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolNasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance or masking agent
More about Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAllantoin~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinBiotin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect
More about BiotinArginine~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about ArginineLeucine~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lysine~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about LysineTyrosine~0.45–0.65%
Valine~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glutamic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidCellulose gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumPolysorbate 20~0.45–0.7%
Maltodextrin~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinZinc chloride~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
More about Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymerPyridoxine hcl~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Pyridoxine hclParfum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium chloride~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Potassium sorbate~0.25–0.45%
Citric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Chlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Disodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBenzyl benzoate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeLimonene~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.25%
Ci 77891~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Titanium dioxide~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Titanium dioxideIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Zinc oxide, Cetyl alcohol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Cera alba, Beeswax, Polysorbate 80, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Propylene glycol, Sulfur, Oleth-10, Paraffinum liquidum, Ichthammol, Hydrolyzed yeast protein, Triticum vulgare starch, Arctium lappa root extract, Cysteine, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Nasturtium officinale flower/leaf extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Allantoin, Biotin, Arginine, Leucine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Valine, Glutamic acid, Cellulose gum, Polysorbate 20, Maltodextrin, Zinc chloride, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Pyridoxine hcl, Parfum, Sodium chloride, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Potassium sorbate, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl benzoate, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Limonene, Linalool, Ci 77891, Titanium dioxide
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| Mario BadescuDrying CreamYOUR PRODUCT | BootsGlow Moisturising Cream | HeimishMarine Care Deep Moisture Nourishing Melting Cream | Skincare by Dr VCera Pep Moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 74% | 74% | 73% |
| Price | $12.50 | $6.61−$5.89 | $15.28+$2.78 | $37.02+$24.52 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 15 | 5 of 15 | 4 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | Alpha-Arbutin | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Urea |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Mario Badescu - Drying Cream" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Mario Badescu - Drying Cream ticks this box. Humectants in this product (panthenol, arginine, glutamic acid, glycerin and glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Paraffinum liquidum, arginine, beeswax, cera alba and cetyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 22.00CA$ 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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