Mario Badescu Hydro Moisturizer With Vitamin C
Works for
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, TocopherolWorks well
“- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) helps to brighten the look of dull skin and transforms it to glowing skin. Softens the look of dry fine lines and improves the look of uneven skin tone and skin texture for visibly brighter and smoother skin.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingParaffinum liquidum, Cetyl alcohol + 8 moreWorks well
“Hydro Moisturizer With Vitamin C”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: squalane, isopropyl myristate.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum
Evens skin toneAscorbic acidWorks well
“Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) helps to brighten the look of dull skin and transforms it to glowing skin. Softens the look of dry fine lines and improves the look of uneven skin tone and skin texture for visibly brighter and smoother skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, TocopherolWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Cymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract, Diazolidinyl ureaMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Ascorbic acid~6.2–9.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidCetyl alcohol~3.4–5.1%
- 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 alcoholCymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Diazolidinyl urea~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaDimethicone crosspolymer-3~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl stearate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateIsododecane~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneIsopropyl myristate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Myristyl alcohol~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritating
More about Myristyl alcoholMyristyl lactate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Paraffinum liquidum~0.4–0.95%
- 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 liquidumPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPropylene glycol~0.15–0.65%
- 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 glycolPropylparaben~0.1–0.4%
Squalane~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneStearic acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidTocopherol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolTriethanolamine~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineIngredient list view
Water, Ascorbic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Cymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract, Diazolidinyl urea, Dimethicone crosspolymer-3, Glyceryl stearate, Isododecane, Isopropyl myristate, Methylparaben, Myristyl alcohol, Myristyl lactate, Paraffinum liquidum, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene glycol, Propylparaben, Squalane, Stearic acid, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine
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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.
| Mario BadescuHydro Moisturizer With Vitamin CYOUR PRODUCT | CitrixVitamin C 20 Percent Cream | Reform SkincareEveryday Moisturiser | Clinicians ComplexC-Plus Antioxidant Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 71% | 70% |
| Price | $18.00 | — | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide 2 | Ferulic Acid | Retinyl Palmitate |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: K republiq Glass Skin Finishing GlazeImage skincare Iluma Intense Brightening Creme
Product summary
"Mario Badescu - Hydro Moisturizer With Vitamin C" has a good moisturizing formula.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (1.20% - 1.80%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 18.00$ in the United States, for 16.28A$ in Australia and for 23.16£ 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 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Cosmetic allergy from myristyl alcoholncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3Patch testing with myristyl alcoholresearchgate.net
- 4A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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