Works for
MoisturizingPetrolatum, Oligopeptide-5 + 13 moreWorks well
“- Rejuvenating, line-reducing Oligopeptide- 5: Deeply moisturizes the skin and has an anti-aging effect.”
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:
glycerin, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer.
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: cera alba, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: oligopeptide-5, petrolatum
Anti-agingOligopeptide-5, Tocopherol + 1 moreMay help
“- Rejuvenating, line-reducing Oligopeptide- 5: Deeply moisturizes the skin and has an anti-aging effect.”
This product contains oligopeptide-5. 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.
ExfoliationRetinyl palmitateNot delivered
“A lavish, moisture-intensive formula created to combat against skin-aging free radicals, Protein Night Cream is enriched with ultra-emollient oils to help exfoliate, condition, and smooth the appearance of early onset aging.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Diazolidinyl urea, Parfum + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Petrolatum~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumOryza sativa bran oil~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Oryza sativa bran oilGlycerin~2.7–4%
- 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~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateCetyl alcohol~1.8–2.6%
- 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 alcoholC10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters~1.4–2.2%
Cera alba~1.6–2.3%
- 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 albaDimethicone~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeOlus oil~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Olus oilStearic acid~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidZea mays oil~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A good moisturizing plant oil. Due to the high linoleic acid content, it helps soften the upper layer of the skin, reduce water loss and support skin barrier function
More about Zea mays oilOligopeptide-5~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oligopeptide-5Propylene glycol~0.35–0.85%
- 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 glycolSodium borate~0.35–0.8%
Triethanolamine~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineDiazolidinyl urea~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaSodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer~0.15–0.55%
- 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 copolymerPropylparaben~0.1–0.4%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Soluble collagen~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Soluble collagenParfum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- 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 TocopherolRetinyl palmitate~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateHexyl cinnamal~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Petrolatum, Oryza sativa bran oil, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Cetyl alcohol, C10-30 cholesterol/lanosterol esters, Cera alba, Dimethicone, Olus oil, Stearic acid, Zea mays oil, Oligopeptide-5, Propylene glycol, Sodium borate, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl urea, Sodium benzoate, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Soluble collagen, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Retinyl palmitate, Hexyl cinnamal
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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 BadescuProtein Night CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Too FacedHangover Pillow Cream Ultra-Nourishing Night Cream | NeutrogenaSensitive Skin Oil-Free Moisture | Mixaanti redness moisturising cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 51% | 51% | 50% |
| Price | $22.00 | $45.61+$23.61 | $14.49−$7.51 | $15.27−$6.73 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 9 | 3 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Cyclomethicone | Mineral Oil |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: noiro Scented Cream Moist & Smooth - 2 TypesGold Bond Men's Essentials Everyday Cream
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "Mario Badescu - Protein Night Cream" works well for improving skin hydration As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (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). Emollients in this formulation (petrolatum, oryza sativa bran oil, beeswax, cera alba and dimethicone) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.35% - 0.80%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (oligopeptide-5 0.35% - 0.85%). There are many different kind of peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of amino-acids. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective peptides in skincare are, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive skin. 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 for 44.10A$ in Australia, for 22.00$ in the United States and for 29.99£ 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 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6Content of fatty acids in corn (Zea mays L.) oil from Ecuadorresearchgate.net
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