Few things are worse than irritated, dry skin. Bouncy, smooth skin is the goal here, but tight and itchy? Not so much.

If your skin is in need of a boost in moisture and glow, add this recipe to your Friday night repertoire. Slip into your robe, have Spotify set at your favorite playlist, light a few candles—whatever suits your fancy, really—and treat you and your skin to a good drink. Make this a well-deserved R&R session if you’re staying in, and if you’re willing to brave the cold for an evening out on the town, let this be your prep for flawless makeup from application to finish.

Bottom’s up!

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Ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vitamin C
• Rose Hips Mask
• Seaweed Night Cream
• Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream

Directions:

1. Every DIY facial starts with a clean complexion. Cleanse, exfoliate, tone with your trusty favorites—you know how the tune goes. (And if you don’t? We’ve got you covered—read up on our guide to DIY at-home facials!)
2. Hydrate and brighten. Start by massaging a few drops of the Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vitamin C into the skin. Any skincare expert or bona fide junkie will rave on endlessly about the benefits of Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. Add Collagen to the mix and you have yourself an incredibly nourishing, nutrient-rich serum that helps restore skin’s natural moisture, improve clarity, and brighten the skin.
3. Bring back the dewy glow. Our Rose Hips Mask is a fall Mario Mask Must (can you say that three times fast?!). It’s perfect for sensitive or dull, tired skin in restoring moisture for a healthy, radiant complexion. We’re all about antioxidant Vitamin C for its brightening properties—and this mask is chock full of it.
4. You’ve got 20 minutes all to yourself. Are you singing along to Marvin Gaye or Barbara Streisand right now? We are. Do feel free to join us…
5. Rinse well with warm water and follow with, once again, your favorite toner. Take a good look in the mirror—this step is indisputably the most important of them all—and admire your skin for a few moments. Soft, supple, plump, and with a dewy glow to boot.
6. Are you headed out? Pat on your go-to moisturizer and start the second phase of the beautification process. Relish in the easy application and flawless finish—good skincare and beautiful makeup are inexplicably linked. (Remember that!)
7. If you’re staying in, lock in all that moisture and glow with the Seaweed Night Cream. It’s the most versatile and lightweight of our creams in that it’s oil-free and therefore non-greasy. Seaweed, Collagen, and Hyaluronic Acid help keep your complexion nourished and hydrated all throughout the night.
8. Don’t forget the eyes! Reduce the appearance of dry, tired under-eyes and help smooth the look of fine lines with the Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream. It’s one of our lighter options, making it a universal choice, but don’t hesitate to reach for something richer if you need it.

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Originally published as #MBRecipe: Solutions For Seriously Dry Skin from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

You’ve gone through countless Mario Badescu Facial Sprays and always stock your medicine cabinet with a bottle of Drying Lotion for emergencies. You know the Enzyme Cleansing Gel and Drying Cream like the back of your hand—but what you may not know is that there are over 150 products in the Mario Badescu Skin Care line. What you see in store is but a fraction of our complete collection, so we’re about to give you a primer on some of our most beloved but under-the-radar products.

Let’s start off easy with three products you probably never heard of, but need to know about.

ROLLING CREAM PEEL WITH A.H.A.

What it is: This is a unique cream exfoliant that rolls away dulling dead skin cells. Lactic Acid and Peach Extract are the key players in this formula—and when combined with the physical rolling, back-and-forth motion, this peel helps remove that layer of dulling, dead skin cells so your skin looks soft, smooth, and renewed.

Who it’s for: Almost all skin types. If you have extremely sensitive or delicate skin, are prone to irritation, or are experiencing moderate to severe breakouts, Rolling Cream Peel with A.H.A. isn’t a good fit.

How to use Rolling Cream Peel with A.H.A.: Make sure your skin is completely dry before you apply the cream peel. Use a pea-sized amount and apply a thin layer to the skin (so that you can still see your skin through the layer of peel), avoiding the eye area. Wait a few minutes until you can feel that the product is completely dry, then use your fingertips to gently roll away the cream in back-and-forth motions until the entire cream layer rolls off. Follow with toner to remove any remaining trace of product—and voila! Skin as soft and smooth as can be.

#MBSkinTip: Try using it on your hands and feet for a gentle, exfoliating treatment, too!

CREAM “X”

What it is: Mysterious as Cream “X” is, it’s a secret superstar in the eyes of our New York City salon aestheticians. This little-known product is actually a super effective and restorative, dry/winter skin solution: it boasts a supremely rich formula that delivers intense moisture while rejuvenating skin. With Salicylic Acid to resurface and a host of hydration powerhouses to replenish, this is a must-have face cream if you have dull, depleted skin.

Who it’s for: Dry skin

How to use Cream “X”: Apply to the face, neck, and décolletage after cleansing and toning (avoiding the eye area). Wearing it during the day? Be sure to pair this with sunscreen!

#MBSkinTip: You know it’s a solid product when makeup artists carry a jar in their kits! When working with clients who have dry skin, makeup artists will use Cream X to help revive parched, tired skin prior to makeup application.

MUSCLE OIL

What it is: This is a lightweight, aromatherapeutic body oil designed to help invigorate and soothe. Almond Oil gives it a lovely slip as Eucalytus, Fennel, and Rosemary Oils work their magic. Its distinct herbaceous scent and lingering, cooling touch makes it an essential.

Who it’s for: All skin types

How to use Muscle Oil: Massage 2-3 drops where needed, then layer body lotion on top for additional moisture.

#MBSkinTip: It’s the perfect post-workout treat—but also a savior for hard-working hands and feet. After a long day of writing/typing/standing on your feet all day, massage a few drops into your skin as an at-home spa remedy.

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Originally published as 3 Mario Badescu Products You Probably Never Heard Of, But Need to Know About from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

From travel sizes to retailer exclusives, here is a list of our favorite insider intel to help you shop smarter:

1. Loyal to Mario Badescu Drying Lotion but hate glass bottles? Our much-loved blemish solution is available in a travel-friendly, shatter-proof plastic bottle on Nordstrom.com.

2. Love your cleanser (toner, body lotion, or shower gel) so much you wish you could bathe in it? Well, we can’t fill a bathtub for you, BUT most of our cleansers and toners are available on mariobadescu.com in 16oz. bottles. And the best part? The double-sized bottles aren’t double the price. That right. Snag a giant bottle of your go-to cleanser and put the money you saved toward a new bottle of Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater! Strategy, see?!

3. Speaking of Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater, did you know you can buy it in a giant 8oz. bottle? Or a very cute, carry-on friendly 2oz Bottle? You haven’t fallen down a rabbit hole, Alice, this is all real.

4. Calling all jet Setters, gym goers, and bi-coastal babes! You can buy travel-sized Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater, Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 15, and Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea on Ulta.com.

Head to Ulta.com for carry-on friendly Facial Spray!

5. Are you in the know? Mariobadescu.com shoppers have access to exclusive GWPs, discounts, and free shipping on orders over $35? Sign up here and be the first to find out about our special offers.

6. Wondering how to get Mario Badescu samples? There are two main ways. The first way is for customers who’ve never taken our online skin analysis. Simply fill out the information requested here and a free sample regimen will be sent out for you. * ** The second way is to select three free samples whenever you place an order on mariobadescu.com.

Now, which of these tips will you put to use first?

*Sample regimen only available in the United States.

**Must pay $2.95 for shipping and handling.

Originally published as Mario Hacks: Travel Sizes, Free Samples, and Beyond from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

WHO: Skin Renewal Complex

WHAT: Papaya Extract, Honey Extract, Peanut Oil

WHY: An anti-aging cream formulated to help improve skin’s texture and soften the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and minor discoloration, our Skin Renewal Complex does exactly what its name suggests: revitalize and renew the complexion.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids found naturally in Papaya Extract help smooth rough, uneven patches as anti-aging Vitamins A, D, and E help fight free radical damage. Antioxidant-rich Peanut Oil and Honey Extract further nourish and rejuvenate skin, giving drier skin types a revived, healthy glow.

HOW: Apply after cleansing and toning, apply the cream all over your face and neck, avoiding the delicate eye area. Perfect for daily use in the morning and/or evening.

Originally published as Under-The-Radar: Skin Renewal Complex from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

WHO: Bee Pollen Night Cream, perfect for combination, dry, and sensitive skin types.

WHAT’S INSIDE: Beeswax, Honey Extract, Pollen Extract, and Vegetable Oil.

WHY IT WORKS: This creamy, lush formula featuring Bee Pollen and Honey Extract boasts hydrating properties that leave skin soft, smooth, and supple. Natural oils combined with an antioxidant Vitamin A blend nourish the skin while fighting aging free radicals, thus helping improve the skin’s texture overnight.

HOW TO USE: For nightly use. After cleansing and toning, gently massage the cream all over the face, making sure to avoid the eye area. Don’t forget about the delicate neck and chest – these are two areas that are immediate giveaways of age (or neglect in skincare treatment!), so be sure to moisturize in those places as well.

Beauty Tip: Layer up! We love adding a few drops of the Cellufirm Drops under the Bee Pollen Night Cream for an even more concentrated treatment that helps firm, tighten, and smooth skin for improved elasticity and a more even, youthful-looking complexion.

Originally published as Under the Radar: Bee Pollen Night Cream from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Not all moisturizers are equal.

It’s not to say that one is necessarily better or worse than the other, but simply that one person’s Holy Grail isn’t necessarily going to be right for you. After all, if you’re 16 and have oily skin, you definitely don’t need an anti-aging moisturizer, right? Turns out the reverse is true, too.

For a while my mother and I shared the same moisturizer; it served me very well, and it seemed to do okay for her too. But here’s the thing: never settle! You’ve got this one skin to live in, so you better treat it right. Why settle for just okay when there’s something out there that could be incredible? And let’s face it, a moisturizer that’s right for my early-20s skin is probably not the best choice for mature skin.

It was the Cellufirm Moisturizer that made her realize that a moisturizer could do much more than just, well, moisturize. Sure, hydration is key, but what certain skin types need (and what all skin deserves, really!) is nourishment. The Cellufirm Moisturizer is exactly what sensitive, maturing skin needs: a rich, anti-inflammatory Seaweed Extract moisturizer formulated with Collagen and Elastin for skin-refining benefits. Over time, it helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a plumper, more youthful complexion.

And isn’t that what skincare should do? Leave your complexion better than it was before?

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What’s your go-to anti-aging moisturizer?

Originally published as Under The Radar: Cellufirm Moisturizer from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

WHO: Hyaluronic Emulsion with Vitamin C, ideal for combination, dry, or sensitive skin.

WHAT: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Collagen, Herbal Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Seaweed

WHY: It’s a nutrient-rich serum that helps nourish and protect the skin against damaging dryness, heat, and pollution. Collagen and Elastin help revitalize lifeless, uneven skin by locking in hydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Seaweed and Hyaluronic Acid help the skin retain its natural moisture to prevent dehydration, and antioxidant Vitamin C helps to smooth uneven skin tone for a brighter, more radiant complexion.

A few drops beneath moisturizer will not only better prime the skin for the absorption of your moisturizer or night cream, but will also help improve the appearance of dehydrated skin almost immediately.

HOW: After cleansing and toning, apply 2-3 drops of the serum on the face and neck. Massage the product into the skin in circular motions before following with moisturizer or night cream. May be used twice daily.

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Originally published as Under The Radar: Hyaluronic Emulsion With Vitamin C from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

WHO: Dermonectin Eye Cream, for combination/dry and dry skin types.

WHAT: Azulene, Beeswax, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Peanut Oil, Seaweed, Vegetable Oil

WHY: Dermonectin Eye Cream is an incredibly concentrated eye treatment designed specifically for very dry skin around the eyes. Azulene and Seaweed help soothe and nourish the delicate under-eye while a rich blend of Coconut, Peanut, and Vegetable Oils help provide intense hydration throughout the day.

HOW: Pat a small amount of cream along the orbital bone from the innermost corner outwards, and take the excess over the lids and outward. Use twice daily for best results.

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Originally published as Under the Radar: Dermonectin Eye Cream from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Renewal is the operative word here. It’s all about the Alpha Hydroxy Acids – and this Skin Renewal Complex has the ultimate combination of the AHAs your skin craves and loves.

We formulated a rich blend of Papaya Extract and oils high in Vitamin A for dry, dull skin. The natural skin exfoliant gently buffs and shines to brighten your complexion as Vitamin A helps improve texture and vitality. It’s perfect as a night treatment and equally beautiful as a day cream if your skin needs the extra boost in moisture.

Rehydrate, renew and rejuvenate all in one. We keep it simple for you.

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Originally published as Under The Radar: Skin Renewal Complex from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

It’s totally one of my all-time, hands-down Mario Badescu favorites.

The first time I used the Hair Rinsing Conditioner, I was completely caught by surprise. It is so incredibly lightweight that you’d never imagine how soft and hydrated it can make your hair. Running it through my hair I thought that, at best, it would help me detangle.

It did so much more than that.

It makes my hair shiny, soft, clean, and bouncy, in a way that heavier conditioners have never been able to. It’s recommended for use on fine, oily hair, although my hair is a bit thicker (and drier), and, if I’m being honest, I haven’t found anything else that works as well.

While it’s a universal product, our Hair Rinsing Conditioner has been called a godsend for fine, oily hair. Forget the woes that come with overwhelmingly rich formulations that leave hair feeling matted and greasy. The Hair Rinsing Conditioner is exactly as its name suggests: a treatment that washes out well without unwanted residue.

I use it with the Lecithin Nourishing Shampoo, but we have a few others to choose from if you’re interested…

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Speaking of conditioning habits: do you do it on the daily? Or treat on a basis of need?

Originally published as Our Favorite Hair Conditioner from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.