Welcome to #MarioMonthlyEdit, where you (yes, you) get a sneak peek at our current essentials. If you missed our last installment, check it out here.

It’s time to get down to business.

With the holiday season right around a corner—and trust: it always manages to creep up before you know it—it’s time to take things into our own hands. Rather than let pre-holiday planning and stress get the best of your skin, stock up on these skin care essentials to help keep your complexion looking clear no matter what.

Acne Facial Cleanser

Perfect for acne-prone or troubled skin, this daily face wash is a must-have for keeping skin clear in time for holiday celebrations. Our cleanser is formulated with Salicylic Acid to exfoliate away pore-clogging surface impurities (which are known to cause breakouts) and Thyme Extract to clarify troubled skin.

Special Cucumber Lotion

Enhanced cleansing is just what troubled, stressed-out skin needs. This is a powerful astringent that helps remove excess oil, minimize T-zone shine, and dry up existing breakouts to encourage a clearer-looking complexion.

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

Radiant, even skin is always the goal—especially when you know there will be camera-happy friends and family snapping away at every family function. We can’t guarantee that your eyes won’t be closed in most of those shots, but we can help you feel confident about going filter-free.

For clear, glowing skin, substitute your usual cleanser for the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser one to three times a week (1-2 times a week for dry skin, 2-3 times a week for oily skin). Glycolic Acid not only exfoliates the skin’s surface, but also boasts the ability to deep clean pores too—making it a must-have for refining congested, uneven complexions.

Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream

Clocking in seven hours of sleep is tough when there’s so much to be done—so to help with tired under-eyes, try incorporating a brightening eye cream into your daily regimen. This one is formulated with Euphrasia (also known as ‘Eyebright’) Extract and Rose Hip Oil (a natural source of Vitamin C) to help restore radiance as Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid smooth the look of fine lines.

Plus, this eye cream boasts a super lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that enables you to apply concealer over top—making it the perfect base if you need a little coverage.

Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30

Just because we’re approaching winter doesn’t mean we don’t need sun protection. Keep up with your daily SPF application, ladies and gents.

Buffering Lotion

Prone to large, under-the-surface bumps? This is the spot treatment for you. If you’re prone to whiteheads, however…

Drying Lotion

Your go-to for targeting pesky problems overnight.

.   .   .

Originally published as The Monthly Edit: November Skin Care Essentials from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Welcome to #MarioMonthlyEdit, where you (yes, you) get a sneak peek at our current essentials. If you missed our last installment, check it out here.

Leaves are falling. Halloween stores are setting up shop left and right. If you had any doubt (we’re still experiencing the odd warm-weather day in New York City, so it’s understandable), take a look around: Fall is officially in the air, ladies and gents. Dry air, inevitable chill, and all.

Sweaters may be out of storage, but skin is always in—which is why October is all about maintaining balance as the seasons continue to shift. This is the perfect time to start easing those heavier, creamier moisturizers back into regimen while retiring lightweight formulas. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the skincare we’re into this month:

Super Rich Olive Body Lotion

Autumn air can leave skin tight, ashy, and dry—which is why it’s imperative you moisturize daily. This classic formula is a Badescu best-seller and fall favorite for men and women alike: it’s a rich, nourishing formula infused with Olive Oil to help alleviate dryness for softer, smoother, more radiant-looking skin.

Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E

If you’re worried about feeling sticky or greasy post-hand cream application, don’t. Our Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E, though creamy in texture, boasts a fast-absorbing formula that sinks in quickly for intense moisture sans the heavy residue. Antioxidant oils nourish dehydrated skin while smoothing the look of fine lines so your hands feel silky-soft, always.

Enzyme Revitalizing Mask

There’s never a time when we don’t want to glow, but if you need reasons, we got ‘em. Fall weather, personal heaters, and back-to-school stress tend to leave the complexion a little lackluster, which is where masking comes in. For an instant pick-me-up, (and 15-20 minutes of built-in TLC), apply our Enzyme Revitalizing Mask where your skin is looking dull, tired, or dehydrated.

Rose Hips Nourishing Oil

If there’s one product you need this season, it’s this. Unlike most facial oils, our Rose Hips Nourishing Oil boasts a lightweight yet moisture-intensive formula that helps revive and smooth dehydrated skin. Rosehip Extract, a natural source of essential fatty acids and antioxidant Vitamin C, brightens lackluster skin while hydrating any dry patches—revealing softer, more radiant skin.

Seaweed Cleansing Soap

It’s creamy, it’s fresh, it’s oil-free—making it the ideal cleanser for all skin types. It never leaves behind a residue, nor does it leave the skin feeling tight or dry. (Enzyme Cleansing Gel fans, you’ll love this face wash as a fall/winter alternative!)

Seaweed Cleansing Lotion

This is the ideal, in-between-seasons toner. It’s a gentler alternative to an astringent (like our Cucumber Cleansing Lotion), but it still offers enhanced cleansing thanks to its Witch Hazel content.

. . .

See more of our fall favorites here.

Originally published as The Monthly Edit: October Skin Care Essentials from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

The subject of this edition of our #MBMy5 series—our blog series in which we ask MB staffers to whittle down their favorites from the line to just five essentials—is Lindsey!

Lindsey sweetened up our team when she came aboard last year with her enviable sense of style, infectious positive attitude, and a major dose of Southern charm. When she isn’t crisscrossing the Southeast making sure that the stores in her territories have everything they need, she is at her home base, Nashville, Tennessee, giving us all manicure envy with paint jobs like this one:

Lindsey’s Mario Mani

Without further ado, let’s turn this over to Lindsey:

Hello, Mario Badescu Beauties!

I’m thrilled to share my #MBMy5 today. A little bit about myself:

Working with Mario Badescu means that I spend my work days traveling all over the Southeast-throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and my home state of Tennessee. As any professional globetrotter knows, abundant traveling can wreak havoc on your skin.

My skin type in one word: troubled. Since I spend so much time flying, the elevation and air conditioning leaves my skin desert-dry. On the other hand, anyone who lives in the south knows that the heat and humidity is unreal! Add in sensitivity to harsh ingredients and major acneic tendencies, and you’ve got the recipe for a skin care conundrum. Today I’m going to chat about my skin care must haves, and how I keep my skin hydrated, clear, and glowing throughout the tumultuous southern weather.

Lindsey’s 5

The Enzyme Cleansing Gel is my go-to cleanser. I love the way this melts off my face-makeup, while providing the softest AHA-based exfoliation. It smells like fresh fruit, thanks to the Papaya Extract, and helps to keep my skin clear of mild breakouts.

The next, possibly most important, step in my regimen is the Special Cucumber Lotion. It picks up the leftover makeup, oil, and dirt from the surface off the skin, while deep-cleaning my pores at the same time. The Sulfur and Zinc Oxide combination gives my skin an extra acne-fighting treatment, which is crucial for troubled days.

Once my skin is squeaky clean, I’ll often start to feel dry. Enter Herbal Hydrating Serum. It’s a water-based gel-serum that provides crucial hydration without leaving my T-zone oily. During my super dry days, I’ll layer this all over my face directly under my moisturizer. On my more oily days, I’ll use this to spot-treat the dry spots. Bonus feature: patting this into the high points of my cheeks gives me the glowing from within look with or without makeup!

Finding a moisturizer has always been a challenge of mine. Like I mentioned, my skin is acneic, so I have to be sure that the moisturizer is oil-free, or I could risk causing my breakouts to spread. Being Combination/Oily adds another tricky factor. Add my love of makeup to the mix, and you have what seems like an impossible equation. The Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 meets all of these needs, all while providing protection from sun damage (hello, alabaster complexion). I love that the formula is lightweight and dries matte. I can apply my makeup directly after the moisturizer without any fear of slippage.

#MBSkinTip: In the colder months, I like to use the Aloe Moisturizer SPF 15 for deeper hydration.

A few times a week, I make time to draw a bath and unwind. While my water is filling up, I’ll apply the Whitening Mask. Years of bad skin habits left my skin uneven in tone and texture, and this is my secret weapon to help correct that. After using this mask regularly, I’ve seen a huge difference in post-breakout discoloration—plus, it provides the hydration my skin desperately needs! It’s so lightweight and soft, and only takes 5-10 minutes. Added bonus-it smells like mulberries!

Finally, finding a skin care regimen that works for my picky skin has been a game-changer. My makeup sits on my skin beautifully and I feel so much more confident without makeup all together.

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me about #MBMy5! Be sure to come visit us down here in the South, where we like our skin like our tea: sweet, smooth, and best served year round.

Originally published as #MBMy5: Lindsey from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Mario Badescu’s Chicago-based Account Executive, Lauren Cummings, brings her effervescent personality, can-do attitude, and encyclopedic knowledge of all things beauty-related everywhere she goes—and boy, does she go.

This busy lady and her team spread #MBSkinTips around the Chicago area and beyond. We asked her which MB products are at the top of her list, keep reading for Lauren’s must-haves!

Lauren’s Favorites

Skin Type

I have classic Combination Skin. I am oily through the T-zone and dehydrated through the cheeks. I also live in Chicago where the sun shines really bright, but the winter winds can dehydrate my skin even more!! And lastly, my skin is prone to acne, and that can leave discoloration and unwanted texture. Yikes!!

Lauren’s 5

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser: This foaming cleanser is the perfect way to gently improve uneven texture and tone. It effectively exfoliates and cleanses my skin while helping to address any small blemishes on my face without overdrying my skin.

Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion: This toner gently exfoliates my skin, and helps to reveal a more radiant, glowing, lit-from-within skin. It smells amazing and because it is alcohol-free, it aids in replenishing hydration.

Cellufirm Drops: I use this heavenly product as my daytime serum. Cellufirm Drops immediately hydrates and visibly plumps my skin. I notice increased firmness in my skin, as well as a really smooth texture. This product also does double-duty for me as an under eye serum layered underneath Hyaluronic Eye Cream.

Honey Moisturizer: This daytime moisturizer is the perfect amount of moisture for my Combination/dehydrated skin. It absorbs into my skin rapidly, while creating a smoother more radiant complexion. I love a slight glow to my skin before I apply foundation, and Honey Moisturizer creates the perfect canvas for my makeup. For the cold, dry Chicago winters, I like to add a few drops of the Herbal Hydrating Serum. It allows me to boost the hydration level in my skin care, when needed, without switching moisturizers.

#MBSkinTip: When I know the weather is going to be especially harsh, I like to press a little bit of a denser moisturizer or night cream into my cheeks, after I have applied my typical skincare regimen.

Silver Powder: Because I wear foundation daily, and have an oily t-zone, I am prone to blackheads on my nose and chin area. I use Silver Powder to address this issue. It immediately starts to break down the congestion and the clogged pores and after 10-20 minutes my nose and chin are clear of all blackheads. Silver Powder is a twice weekly staple product for me.

Thanks, Lauren. Stay warm out there!

Originally published as #MBmy5: Lauren from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

New year, new . . . blog series!

One of the most frequently asked questions we get here at Mario Badescu is, “What are your best products?” And while we love to give recommendations, that question doesn’t have a simple answer. There are a number of things that factor into deciding which products are best for your individual skin type. So we decided we’d ask MB insiders to tell us their skin types and whittle down their favorites (there are over 150 products in the full Mario Badescu line) to the very tippy-top five on their list. For our inaugural #MBmy5 post, meet Karolina!

Karolina is one of our favorite smiling faces around Mario Badescu headquarters. Whether she is plugging away on a spreadsheet or telling us about her latest adventure (did you catch her #MBTravels pics from Paris earlier this year? If not, have a look here and here), Kari shines bright.

Here are Karolina’s favorites in her own words:

Skin Type: Oily, Acne-Prone

1. By far my go-to, number one favorite is the Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. It’s my trusty sidekick in the fight against moisture loss by giving my skin quick refreshment. It’s multi-functional when a toner is out of reach, a mist for pre/post-makeup and the touch of Aloe even helps when a post-sun cooling gel is nowhere near. Whether it’s sitting behind a desk, in a car, or traveling on a plane, a bottle of facial spray is within my arm’s reach.

2. My go-to exfoliator and post workout in-shower cleanser is the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. Even though my skin is oily, it’s still sensitive and very acne-prone, so using exfoliators that have grit in them can irritate my skin. This, however, foams to a lightweight consistency that makes it ideal to use on my face, as well as on my chest and back to get rid of any dead skin cells. The scent also reminds me of summertime in Brooklyn eating Lemon Italian Ices as a child. Oh, nostalgia!

3. Since I started working at Mario Badescu, I’ve learned that different parts of your face have different needs, which means that different parts of your face need help from different masks, a.k.a. multi-masking! A few times a week you will find me looking like a pastel leopard covered in spots, with the largest areas covered in the Super Collagen Mask. This mask works great for my T-zone area, as well as for plumping areas on my cheeks where I have some post-acne scars. It’s very hydrating on areas where acne products tend to overdry the skin, especially during the winter season. I love using this mask before I go out or when I’m home for the night to give my complexion a boost of moisture and Collagen. It’s never too early to incorporate anti-aging into my regimen.

4. Even with oily skin and eyelids, it’s never too early to add an eye cream to a beauty regimen. Ceramide Eye Gel is a great, lightweight alternative to a heavily emollient eye cream. I am very prone to getting milia, or small white bumps, around my eye area from using thick eye creams. This gel’s glide-on texture doesn’t tug the under-eye area and makes it ideal for year-round use that won’t slip under makeup. Due to its gel consistency, it can be stored in the fridge to give my under-eyes a pick-me-up when they look puffy, especially when it looks like I missed out on some ZzZzZzs.

5. The second sunshine and humidity go away, my hands become parched. Especially during East Coast winters, when there’s no humidity and constant washing to keep germs and bacteria at bay. Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E is my ultimate savior. Its whipped consistency makes it lightweight and non-greasy. I love having the classic jar laying close by on my desk, that won’t leave residue on my mouse or keyboard. I’m even more obsessed now that the hand cream is available in a tube! It’s ideal to place in a bag or leave in the car to hydrate my dry hands on the go.

Originally published as #MBmy5: Karolina from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

On this Mother’s Day, I thought I’d ask a group of my very favorite moms to share their can’t-live-without products. Where does one find such a group? Well, I didn’t have to go far. I get to work with them every day.

Mom must-haves!

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone! When it comes to moms, I will forever feel like I won some kind of life-lottery simply by being born to my smart, resourceful, boundlessly kind, and wickedly funny mother. And if you take into account the group of talented, hardworking moms (and one mom-to-be!) who I get to work with here at Mario Badescu, I’ve pretty much struck gold twice!

Here are their favorites:

Raimey Van Nostrand, Creative Director

Mom to: Emily, 11 & Henry, 9

“I love taking a little time out for a mask after a long, hectic day. Whether I am multi-masking with Enzyme Revitalizing Mask and Drying Mask or I have a full face of Whitening Mask on (smells so good!), that 10 minutes of me-time is wonderful.”

Raimey’s mask trio

Kelly Timov, National Sales Director

Mom to: Milana, 15 months

“My favorite Mario go-to has to be the Glycolic Eye Cream. I use it every night to help my tired eyes look bright and hydrated. No one would know I’ve only slept 5 hours!”

Kelly’s non-negotiable eye cream

Marci Teran, Wholesale Account Director

Mom to: Skyler, 20

“My all day, everyday go-to is the Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. It’s a great pick-me-up throughout the day when feeling sluggish and a great way to set makeup. Now if only my 20-year-old would keep her hands off my bottle!!”

Danielle Kulick, Regulatory Specialist

Mom to: Devyn, 7 & Dylan, 3

“As a busy mom on-the-go, I want to look fresh and bright, despite how tired or worn down I actually feel. I ALWAYS have Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater in my bag for the pick me up I so often need. I treat myself to Vitamin C Serum several times a week to keep my skin bright and glowing.”

Melissa Hegazy, Digital Advertising

Mom-to-be to: “I have not picked out names just yet, but I’m expecting a little boy and girl to make their debut in August 2016.”

“I love the Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30. I use it religiously because my skin is now more sensitive to the sun and I want to prevent any sun damage. It doesn’t make me break out or clog my pores and best of all it doesn’t leave my skin greasy like many moisturizers with SPF do. It gives me the perfect amount of moisture I need all day along with the protection I need. I love it!”

Mickey Dias, National Field Director

Mom to: Livy, 2 & Rui, 5 months

“Cellufirm Drops are my absolute cannot-live-with-out product! This little green baby is a must have for all mamas. They give me that firm, healthy, ‘kids sleep through the night’ look to my skin ;)”

Originally published as Skin Care Picks from our Favorite Moms from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Welcome to #MarioMonthlyEdit, where you (yes, you) get a sneak peek at our current essentials. If you missed our last installment, check it out here. (We loved hearing all about your March must-haves!)

.   .   .

You guys—it’s finally spring! Sure, we were a bit doubtful about its arrival (it snowed on the first day of spring; go figure), but the weather’s been beautiful ever since.  It’s official: The sweaters are going away and the spring skincare stash is coming out.

These are the April skincare essentials taking prime real estate in our medicine cabinet:

• Enzyme Cleansing Gel. Your favorite cleanser made the cut! The moment it gets warm out and our skin starts to feel a little more slick than usual, out comes the Enzyme Cleansing Gel. It’s fresh in every which way—which makes it the perfect pick-me-up to get you into the spring mood.
• Cucumber Cleansing Lotion. Ditto with this toner on the fresh factor. (If you’re curious as to why it’s named a “cleansing lotion,” head on over here.) Great for combination and oily skin types, this cooling formula helps remove excess shine and grime without overdrying skin.
• Facial Spray. It’s a perennial favorite, but come spring, it’s a necessity. The goal is to look fresh-faced and dewy always—and what easier way to achieve that than with a quick, refreshing mist? Spritz it on before and/or after you apply moisturizer for a hydrating boost.
• Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 17. When you start to shed off the heavy layers, it’s time to swap out your winter cream for a lightweight moisturizer. This one is a best-selling favorite because of its easily-absorbed, oil-free formula; plus, it provides essential broad spectrum protection to help shield your skin from damaging UVA/UVB rays.
• Flower & Tonic Mask. Floral for spring? Groundbreaking. But we’re willing to put up with the Miranda Priestly’s of the world for this mask. Formulated with Gardenia Extract (which contains Ferulic Acid, a powerful natural antioxidant) and natural minerals, our Flower & Tonic Mask helps decongest skin to re-balance your complexion.
• Enzyme Revitalizing Mask. If you have drier skin in need of a moisturizing boost, this is the mask for you. Our Enzyme Revitalizing Mask does exactly what its name purports to do: revitalize. Natural fruit enzymes from Papaya Extract help break down dulling buildup as a blend of Vitamin A and E Oils provide additional moisture, leaving your skin glowing and radiant.
• Citrus Body Cleanser. Don’t forget to spring clean your bodycare regimen, too. We’re obsessed with how sweet and fresh this shower gel is; it’s the ideal soap for morning showers or post-gym sessions.
• Apricot Super Rich Body Lotion. When the pros stash something in their makeup kit, you’d be smart to do the same. We started keeping this one shower-side after seeing one of our favorite MUAs use it on set: it’s creamy, it’s lightly fragranced, and it keeps you glowing head to toe.

.   .   .

SHOP OUR SPRING FAVORITES

Originally published as The Monthly Edit: April Skin Care Essentials from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Welcome to #MarioMonthlyEdit, where you (yes, you) get a sneak peek at our current top shelf essentials. If you missed our first installment last month, check it out here. (We loved hearing all about your January must-haves!)

Ah, February. You have the holiday hoo-ha from November to December and New Year’s enthusiasm in January, but come February, everything kind of feels… normal. It’s not a bad thing—it just takes some getting used to after three months of nonstop excitement.

That said, there’s no better time to shift the focus onto YOU. Self-love, people—let’s make it a thing in February. Find me-time. #Treatyourself. Indulge in self-care—not just because you deserve to, but because it’s paramount to happiness.

The all-pink theme has little to do with Valentine’s Day—it’s purely coincidental, we swear—and more to do with how obsessed we are with all things with rose extract, rose hips, and strawberry extract. They’re ingredients that not only feel indulgent, but actually are when it comes to skin care: this is an assortment of good stuff that helps soothe, nourish, and brighten to help you feel your very best.

Even in the dead of winter.

Here are the February skincare essentials we have on rotation:

• Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. This one is a no-brainer, tbh. But if you’re out of the loop, we’ll fill you in: this is a cold weather lifesaver when it comes to infusing skin with an extra boost of hydration. Dry, cracked skin is a thing of 2015. Where there’s dehydration, there’s rehydration: all thanks to this rose-and-aloe-infused mist.
• Rose Hips Nourishing Oil. Another winter fave for saving dry skin. Got flaky skin or cracked foundation around your nose, the corners of your mouth, and between the brows? Reach for this oil and say no more. The tiniest dab does the trick in imparting essential moisture and reviving skin back to its happy, balanced state. Plus, it’s got Rose Hips Oil—a natural source of antioxidant and skin-brightening Vitamin C. (Read more about this product)
• Special Hand Cream with Vitamin E. Yep. It’s still a favorite. There is no surviving winter without this hand cream, no sir-ee.
• Cleansing Milk with Carnation & Rice Oil. It sounds as luxurious as it feels—especially after a day of battling harsh, winter winds. This milky tissue-off cleanser not only helps remove all traces of makeup, but also softens and nourishes your skin, too. It’s an ideal formula for dry or sensitive skin types.
• Chamomile Cleansing Lotion. You saw it in our January edit, and it’s back again.
• The Moisture Magnet SPF 15. This one too. Snowfall can magnify the reach of UVA/UVB rays—making SPF protection (and moisture) all the more crucial during the heart of winter.
• Caviar Day Cream & Caviar Night Cream. In a line of over 200 products, it’s easy to keep reaching for best-selling faves. This little duo deserves the spotlight: though underrated, it’s a highly related performer. Both are thick, luxurious creams formulated with Caviar Extract (a revitalizing antioxidant rich in amino acids and nutrients). The day cream version also contains Elastin to give skin that extra bounce and plumpness, and the evening edition is fortified with Collagen and Cocoa Butter for additional overnight firming and moisturizing benefits.
• Olive Eye Cream. It’s a celeb-favorite for good reason: this rich, moisture-intensive eye cream helps deeply hydrate while softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Definitely a must-have overnight treatment for dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
• Strawberry Tonic Mask. Balance is paramount in maintaining healthy, radiant skin—which is why we’re aiming to mask twice a week. We need all the hydration we can get (hence why we’re keeping all our moisturizers and creams front and center this month), but our skin also needs a regular detox too. Though gentle, the Strawberry Tonic Mask helps to decongest pores and rid the skin of dulling buildup.

.   .   .

What are YOUR February go-tos?

Originally published as The Monthly Edit: February Skin Care Essentials from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Welcome to the first installment of #MarioMonthlyEdit, where you (yes, you) get a sneak peek at our current top shelf essentials.

New year, new you—isn’t that how the saying goes? Whether you’re an ambitious resolution-maker or just into making steady, feel-good goals, January is all about you. Refocus, re-center, and get your skin back to pre-holiday-insanity perfection.

On the top of the list (literally)? The Vitamin C Serum. Game-changer and #HolyGrail, this antioxidant-rich serum helps even out skin tone and texture while boosting glow overnight. If you don’t have it, get it. You need it. It’s the anti-aging serum that’s essential for everyone, no matter your skin type.

Also on our roster (from top to bottom):

• Cellufirm Drops: A must-have all-year-round, this skin-plumping serum comes especially handy in colder months when you need all the hydration you can get. Use it around the mouth, under and around the eyes, and wherever else you’re experiencing dryness—then, follow with your usual moisturizer, eye cream, or night cream (where applicable).
• Botanical Exfoliating Scrub: Colder, harsher weather tends to leave most skin types dry and flaky. This refreshing exfoliant (which features finely ground Ecuadorian Ivory Palm seeds, not plastic microbeads!) helps gently buff away all that dead skin cell buildup. (We love this one in the mornings as a pick-me-up—especially when it’s 16 °F and pitch black when we wake up.)
• Orange Cleansing Soap: Winter skin typically needs gentler options. We’re reaching for this creamy, AHA-based cleanser to help give us a brightening boost without leaving skin feeling dry or tight.
• Chamomile Cleansing Lotion: Seriously—winter weather isn’t kind to skin. This simple, gentle formulation boasts calming properties.
• Walnut Body Lotion: This is the stuff we marinate our bodies in come winter. This luxe, rich cream is designed to deliver maximum moisture to parched skin. We suggest applying this all-over nightly after showering so you wake up with super-soft, silky skin.
• Dermonectin Eye Cream: The delicate eye area is especially susceptible to winter weather wear-and-tear. Keep skin plump and moisturized with this emollient-rich eye cream.
• Almond & Honey Face Scrub: Fresh is nice, but sometimes we’re in the mood for warmer, creamier scents. This delicious scrub is our go-to for Friday nights and weekends in, when all we want to do is mask it up and curl up to a good book.
• The Moisture Magnet SPF 15: Moisture-intensive yet lightweight on skin, it’s easy to see why this creamy broad-spectrum moisturizer is a makeup artist favorite.

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SHOP MORE OF OUR WINTER MUST-HAVES

Originally published as The Monthly Edit: January Skin Care Essentials from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

WHO: Michelle DeShon, actress and singer extraordinaire. We fell in love with her as soon as we saw her on USA’s Satisfaction as the protagonists’ free-spirited teenage daughter, Anika Truman. (A rebel with a heart of gold and perfect curls? Love.) Just when we didn’t think we could love (or want to be her) more, we did the moment she sang. If you haven’t yet heard “Come Clean,” you need to.

It’s beautiful, it’s gorgeous, just like DeShon. And to think she learned the guitar in five days for the network test… hellooo, #MBgirlcrush.

WHAT SHE LOVES:

“The [Healing & Soothing Mask] has done wonders for me in helping heal old breakout marks. And I always do the Cucumber Tonic Mask to make my face feel bright and new in the morning. The acne face wash had stopped my breakouts in their tracks. I rarely get a breakout now and when I do the magic pink bottle of Drying Lotion will make it disappear. The Special Cucumber Lotion makes my face feel so clean every day and helps keep away the breakout causing bacteria.”

WHERE: Spotted, on her adorably festive countertop.

WHY:

“I get compliments on how great my skin is and no one knows what a struggle I had before I was introduced to Mario. During the pilot I had to use thick thick clogging foundation to cover all my breakouts but then I started using Mario and the rest of season one I was able use much lighter foundation which was so much better for my skin! Thank You Mario Badescu!”

.   .   .

Thank YOU, Michelle! Sending you love from all of us here at MB! <3

Originally published as Spotted! Michelle DeShon Of USA’s “Satisfaction” from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.