Mario Badescu Hydro Moisturizer With Vitamin C
Works for
1 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing9 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“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
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimLimited support
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimWeak support
“Benefits Lightweight Fast-absorbing Fragrance-free Delivers radiance-boosting hydration enriched with Vitamins C and E Helps improve the look of uneven skin tone and texture Gives skin a healthy, hydrated glow”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
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%
Propylene glycol~4.6–7%
- 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 glycolParaffinum liquidum~3.7–5.5%
- 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 liquidumSqualane~2.8–4.1%
- 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 SqualaneIsopropyl myristate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateGlyceryl stearate~1.7–2.5%
- 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 stearateCymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ascorbic acid~1.2–1.8%
- 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 acidTocopherol~0.9–1.35%
- 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 TocopherolCetyl alcohol~0.9–1.35%
- 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 alcoholStearic acid~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidIsododecane~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneMyristyl lactate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Triethanolamine~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineMyristyl alcohol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to stabilize the product formulation while softening the upper layer of the skin. Can be irritating
More about Myristyl alcoholDimethicone crosspolymer-3~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Propylparaben~0.05–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylparaben~0.05–0.15%
Diazolidinyl urea~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaIngredient list view
Water, Propylene glycol, Paraffinum liquidum, Squalane, Isopropyl myristate, Glyceryl stearate, Cymbopogon schoenanthus leaf extract, Ascorbic acid, Tocopherol, Cetyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Isododecane, Myristyl lactate, Triethanolamine, Myristyl alcohol, Dimethicone crosspolymer-3, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Diazolidinyl urea
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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 | La Roche-Posayredermic vitamin canti-ageing eye cream | Clinicians ComplexC-Plus Antioxidant Cream | Goldfaden MDBrightening Elixir Advanced Brightening + Anti-Oxidant Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 72% | 70% | 70% |
| Price | $18.00 | $64.71+$46.71 | $70.00+$52.00 | $48.00+$30.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Retinyl Palmitate | Ferulic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Mario Badescu - Hydro Moisturizer With Vitamin C" has a good moisturizing formula.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (1.20% - 1.80%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Mario Badescu" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 18.00$ 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.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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