What is my skin type?

If you’re wondering what your skin type is, you’re not alone. Finding out your skin type is essential for knowing what your skin needs – and the type of skincare products that are best suited for your skin. 

The best face cream for dry skin may not be ideal if your skin is actually oily. Your particular skin type can be clouded by many factors, including the kind of skincare products you’re using and whether they’re best for you. 

The popularity of aggressive treatments and serums with high concentrations of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) can sensitize skin, making you think you have a sensitive skin type when your skin type may be combination. Overuse of BHA’s, on the other hand, can strip skin of oils and cause an overproduction of sebum leading you to believe you’re oilier than you may actually are.

All of this can lead you to use products that aren’t quite right for you and don’t promote the health of your skin.

How to Determine Skin Type

How to find out your skin type is actually not very complicated. To start, take a skincare breather. Over the course of two or three days, tone down the use of potent serums, particularly acids and aggressive treatments with high concentrations of actives like retinol and vitamin C. AHA’s like Glycolic and Lactic Acids are powerful exfoliants that can sensitize the skin. BHA’s, the most common of which is Salicylic Acid, control oil production and loosen hardened sebum that builds up within pores.

After your brief detox period, begin your skincare routine with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser and a hydrating toner – without alcohol, AHA’s or BHA’s. Then, wait for about 30 minutes to see how your skin reacts. 

If your skin begins to appear shiny and oily, you have an oily skin type. If it feels dry and uncomfortable, meaning it lacks sufficient oil content, then you have a dry skin type.

If you are oily in some areas, such as the T-zone across the forehead and down the bridge of the nose, but you seem dry on your cheeks, then your skin type is likely combination.

You may even discover that you can’t tell one way or the other! That means your skin type is relatively normal, neither oily nor dry.

If your skin flares up, burns or seems otherwise highly irritated, it’s an indication that your skin may have become sensitized by your routine. Skin can easily become agitated by the overuse of harsh acids and potent actives like retinoids.

What about sensitive skin?

First, what is sensitive skin? Sensitive skin should not be confused with sensitized skin, often a temporary condition. A sensitive skin type shows extreme sensitivity, irritation, redness and a general intolerance for much of what is applied to it. 

Sensitive skin is a broad category than can encompass sensitivity to fragrance in skincare, or a particular ingredient like vitamin c or lavender oil. It can even have a reaction to pollutants in the air, climate and temperature changes, dehydration or a poor diet.

In many ways, all skin is “sensitive” as skin is a delicate organ that is highly reactive to both internal and external influences. Only you can determine what your own skin is sensitive to – and do your best to avoid those irritants.

Another great indicator of your skin type is the appearance of your skin in the morning – after a good night’s sleep. Since your skin has been at rest along with you, you can often tell your skin type with a quick glance in the mirror. Close up, how oily or dry does your skin appear? 

Mario Badescu offers products for oily skin, dry skin, and every skin type in between, including sensitive skin. To shop by your skin type, try our regimen finder with products organized by skin type. 

Originally published as How to Tell What Skin Type You Have and Why it Matters from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

OUR MISSION

We exist to create good skin habits today, tomorrow. For a lifetime. Proven skin solutions formulated in our New York City salon since 1967.  We exist to create good habits today, tomorrow, and for a lifetime because we know, Good Skin is Forever.

OUR BRAND 

Proven skin solutions created, formulated and put to the test daily in our New York salon since 1967

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We are a proud family-owned business, over three-generations we strongly believe in tradition, efficacy, accessibility and absolute transparency. Everything from ideation to distribution, we develop our formulations and formulators in-house at our production facility located in Edison, New Jersey.

OUR VALUES

TRADITION at the forefront of our business, with over three-generations of success, and decades of salon services, we tested and proven skin solutions for every age and type of skin.  

TRANSPARENCY & EFFICACY

• We believe that the most comprehensive way to promise quality is through transparency in our pricing and formulas. 
• Pricing for most of our product line has remained the same since 1967 and we are committed to doing this for now and the future.
• Efficacy of our products is at the forefront of our business and offering problem solving solutions for and long-term improvement.

ACCESSIBILITY  We cater to all skin types, ages and gender; we are 100% inclusive and create GOOD SKINCARE FOR ALL. 

OUR FOOTPRINT

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and environmental impact. We collectively minimize our footprint and safeguard the environment for the sake of future generations.

SUSTAINABILITY Our commitment to sustainability runs through every element of our production process. From our in-house production and distribution facilities, to working with local vendors for product design and responsibly sourcing botanicals and other ingredients to develop our formulas, has been an integral part of our business since 1967.

OUR INGREDIENTS

Our brand history and success started with Badescu’s vision for skincare products formulated with fruit, vegetable and plant-based ingredients and the natural actives they provide. Apart from our modifications over the years to remove phthalates, parabens or synthetic fragrances, our original formulas that have been skin tested and proven to perform remain at the heart of our product line. With decades of success, we believe it is the only way to truly create effective skincare.

We are committed to the responsible use of existing resources and ingredients, without sacrificing quality. Animal testing is not and will never be used in any stage of our product development.

OUR FORMULA

We believe that the most comprehensive way to promise quality is through transparency. Our product labels and packaging include a full ingredient list, visibility on exact concentrations, a full breakdown of natural extracts, active ingredients and their origins, provide skin types claims
best suited for.

OUR STORY: MARIO BADESCU SALON & SPA

IT started in 1967, with Mario Badescu mixing products and giving facials in his one room studio in New York City.

Launching his practice out of a two-room apartment in Midtown Manhattan seeing clients by referral only. Inside his humble, modern apartment – Badescu housed all the ingredients almost any skin type likely needs, including organically grown cucumbers, strawberries, cantaloupe, banana, and lemons. Feeding the skin with the vitamins in bananas and carrots, hormones in honey and the cleansing qualities of cucumber, each vegetable and fruit has a benefit.

ABOUT MARIO BADESCU

A Romanian native, Mario Badescu a chemist and pharmacist who had his own skin laboratory in Vienna before he moved to New York City in 1966. He understood the uniqueness of skin and strongly believed in the importance of a skin analysis and knowing what type of skin each client has before treating the skin. Finding an untapped synergy between beauty and skin care, Badescu was committed to helping clients realize and value their inner beauty rather than cosmetic. His facial treatments and formulas he created featured a blend of organic fruits and vegetables to feed, nourish and revitalize the skin. Offering by appointment only facials out of his NYC apartment and developing a line of handmade products to suit client’s individual skin types and needs.

For over 40 years, Mario Badescu has been relied upon as a source for quality skin care. Today our products and services are one of New York’s best kept secrets. Our valued clientele includes models and actors as well as everyday men and women who understand the importance of good skin care. 

The brand’s enduring success and loyal following are the result of the late Mario Badescu’s timeless philosophy that skin care should be simple, gentle and effective. We continue our founder’s tradition by using fresh fruits, botanicals and other natural ingredients as the basis for our products and salon services. 

Now with over three generations and countless faces later, the Mario Badescu salon has expanded to a 24-room signature salon filled with Badescu-trained facialists and a line of 200 products available around the world.

OUR PRODUCTS SINCE 1967

1960’S1967, BOTH THE ICONIC SPOT TREATMENT AND WORLD-RENOWNED SALON ARE BORN. Mario Badescu launches his facial studio out of his two-room Manhattan apartment. He makes all his products by hand—and it’s in his home where the Drying Lotion first came to be.

1970’S BUTTERMILK MOISTURIZER IS INTRODUCED AND QUICKLY BECOMES A CELEBRITY FAVORITE Clients are seen by recommendation only, but as news of his practice and loyal following (which includes a star-studded roster of in-the-know New Yorkers) spreads, Badescu’s home-turned-studio flourishes. .

1980’S FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, HERBS AND ROSEWATER IS LAUNCHED  One Facial Spray sold every 20 seconds – it quickly earns its place as a cult-favorite and medicine cabinet staple  Mario Badescu simultaneously publishes his second book.

1990’SENZYME CLEANSING GEL IS ADDED INTO THE LINE AND EMERGES AS OUR #1 BEST-SELLING FACE WASH.

2000’sTHE LUXE, RADIANCE-BOOSTING VITAMIN C SERUM IS INTRODUCED in 2010 Mario Badescu products launch in Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue, the first of many successful retail partnerships.

Why is Mario Badescu bad?

Why is Mario Badescu bad?

Well, we might just make your boyfriend jealous! 

As crazy as it sounds, our uber popular Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater came between a fan and her man. After apparently professing her love for Mario Badescu to the world, the fan of the brand found herself in hot water when her boyfriend thought she was, well, seeing someone else. 

We’re honored that passion for the brand runs so deep. We love our iconic Facial Sprays, too! 

So what’s all the buzz about?

Mario Badescu Facial Sprays are formulated to enhance hydration and elevate your skincare regimen with unique blends of complexion boosting botanicals. 

Among the best hydrating treatments, Facial Sprays do the most when used after a toner to weightlessly boost the moisturizing properties of the hydrating serum and anti-aging moisturizer that follow in your daily regimen. Our original rejuvenating Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater has built a cult following decades after its NYC launch.

Today, we offer four variations of our Facial Sprays to meet your every mood and instantly refresh, rejuvenate and rehydrate skin – anytime, anywhere. 

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, HERBS AND ROSEWATER

What it is: The OG cult favorite! A floral infusion of Rose and Gardenia Extracts hydrates and boosts your complexion to reveal radiant, re-energized skin.

What it does: Revives dehydrated skin with a healthy, dewy glow.

Key ingredients: Rose Extract, Gardenia Extract, Aloe Vera, Thyme Extract, Bladderwrack Extract

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, CUCUMBER AND GREEN TEA

What it is: An invigorating, hydrating facial mist infused with nutrient-rich botanicals and cooling Peppermint Essential Water.

What it does: Wakes up dull, tired skin with a refreshing, antioxidant-enriched boost.

Key ingredients: Green Tea Extract, Cucumber Extract, Cucumber Essential Water, Peppermint Essential Water, Aloe Vera

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, CHAMOMILE AND LAVENDER

What it is: A soothing mist infused with calming botanicals, Lavender Essential Water, and antioxidant Vitamin C to replenish skin and defend against skin-aging free radicals.

What it does: Balances, brightens, and de-stresses skin.

Key ingredients: Lavender Essential Water, Lavender Oil, Chamomile Extract, Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, Bladderwrack Extract

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, SAGE AND ORANGE BLOSSOM

What it is: Our newest facial mist! An uplifting blend of purifying botanical extracts and Sage and Orange Blossom Essential Waters combine to re-energize and refresh skin.

What it does: Hydrates, tones, and boosts clarity.

Key ingredients: Orange Blossom Essential Water, Sage Essential Water, Thyme Extract, Aloe Vera, Bladderwrack Extract

Originally published as All About Mario Badescu from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Since the launch of our latest Orange Blossom-infused facial spray, our most frequently asked question has been “What’s the difference between the four Mario Badescu Facial Sprays?” Here’s a breakdown of each facial mist: what a facial spray is, what it does, and key ingredients.

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, HERBS AND ROSEWATER

What it is: The OG cult-favorite. A floral infusion of Rose and Gardenia Extracts hydrates and boosts your complexion to reveal radiant, re-energized skin.

What it does: Revives dehydrated skin with a healthy, dewy glow.

Key ingredients: Rose Extract, Gardenia Extract, Aloe Vera, Thyme Extract, Bladderwrack Extract

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, CUCUMBER AND GREEN TEA

What it is: An invigorating facial mist formulated with nutrient-botanicals and cooling Peppermint Essential Water.

What it does: Wakes up dull, tired skin with a refreshing, antioxidant-enriched boost.

Key ingredients: Green Tea Extract, Cucumber Extract, Cucumber Essential Water, Peppermint Essential Water, Aloe Vera

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, CHAMOMILE AND LAVENDER

What it is: A soothing mist infused with calming botanicals, Lavender Essential Water, and antioxidant Vitamin C to replenish skin while combating against skin-aging free radicals.

What it does: Balances, brightens, and de-stresses skin.

Key ingredients: Lavender Essential Water, Lavender Oil, Chamomile Extract, Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, Bladderwrack Extract

FACIAL SPRAY WITH ALOE, SAGE AND ORANGE BLOSSOM

What it is: Our latest. An uplifting blend of purifying botanical extracts and Sage and Orange Blossom Essential Waters combine to re-energize and refresh skin.

What it does: Hydrates, tones, and boosts clarity.

Key ingredients: Orange Blossom Essential Water, Sage Essential Water, Thyme Extract, Aloe Vera, Bladderwrack Extract

“How do I use a facial spray?”

Each of these mists were made to multi-task. Spritz on clean skin for added hydration before you apply moisturizer, throughout the day to revive and refresh skin, or after makeup application for a dewy finish.

“How do I use all four Mario Badescu facial sprays?”

Each of our mists can be used whenever, wherever—but it’s easy to incorporate all four into your day-to-night regimen. Here’s one (of many!) ways to use your mists:

MORNING

Start your day with Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea. Mist on clean skin before moisturizer to boost hydration and tone your complexion.

DURING MAKEUP APPLICATION

Dampen your favorite makeup brushes or sponge using our rose face mist. Once you’re done, mist your complexion to give your final look a dewy finish.

AFTERNOON

Liberally mist Facial Spray with Aloe, Sage and Orange Blossom throughout the day whenever you need an instant pick-me-up.

EVENING

Set the tone before bed. Use our Lavender facial spray before you apply your nightly serum and night cream for a calming botanical boost.

Originally published as Differences Between Each Mario Badescu Facial Spray & How to Use Your Face Mists from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Whether you’re a beauty beginner who’s ready to graduate or a skin care aficionado itching to take your regimen to the next level, let this be your go-to guide on how to choose the perfect serum for your skin type.

One of the simplest ways to level up your routine with viable, visible results is to start incorporating a complexion booster into your current regimen. By doing so, you’re able to customize what you get out of your skin care, no matter what your skin needs that day.

LINES, WRINKLES, AND DEHYDRATION?

Super Peptide Serum is your super solution for supreme hydration and line-smoothing benefits. It’s packed with two types of peptides, a Sodium Hyaluronate complex, and a host of youth-boosting botanicals—and still, it boasts an texture so delightful that it disappears seamlessly into skin. There’s no tack, no shine, no film: just a super soft and smooth, fresh-faced finish.

VISIBLE SIGNS OF AGING AND DRYNESS?

Peptide Renewal Serum is formulated to help revitalize parched or aging skin. Where Super Peptide Serum delivers a light, layer-able look, Peptide Renewal Serum offers intense hydration and a rich, velvety finish. If you’re ultra-dry, prone to moisture loss, and want to diminish visible signs of aging in one step, reach for this. 

DULLNESS, DISCOLORATION, AND FINE LINES ?

Vitamin C Serum can be a game-changer for all skin types. Think of it like antioxidant drip for your skin: it provides defense against skin-aging free radicals, helps even out skin tone and texture, and replenishes your complexion with Sodium Hyaluronate and soothing Lavender Oil.

DEHYDRATION AND FLAKINESS?

Rose Hips Nourishing Oil can be used under or over your face cream. Apply all over to revive dry skin or just in targeted areas to smooth any dry patches—it’s light and layer-able, and still delivers intense moisture thanks to its Rosehip-packed formula.

Ready to take it another step?

Mix and match serums to further personalize and maximize your solutions. For example: if your concerns include fine lines, uneven skin tone, and dehydration, use Vitamin C Serum every other night and Super Peptide Serum on off-nights. Or, if your skin is craving hydration and rejuvenation, use Rose Hips Nourishing Oil to supplement your daytime moisturizer, and alternate it with Vitamin C Serum in the evenings.

Mist while you’re at it, too. Elevate your routine by adding any Mario Badescu Facial Spray before you reach for serum. Start with freshly cleansed and toned skin before you mist, then apply your treatment product while your skin is still wet. Doing so will lock in that additional moisture boost while infusing even more botanical benefits into your skin care.

. . .

SHOP ALL SERUMS

Originally published as How to Choose the Perfect Serum from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Q. Should I skip cleansing twice daily if my skin is dry? My skin always feels super dry and tight after washing my face, even more so now that it’s cold out.

It’s important to cleanse twice daily no matter your skin type and no matter the season—it’s just about finding the right face wash that suits your skin’s needs. So: if your skin feels dry, tight, or even sensitive after cleansing, it’s likely you’re not using the right kind of face wash.

Which leads us to…

Q. What’s the best face cleanser for dry, winter skin?

A. Mario Badescu aestheticians recommend using a cream or tissue-off cleanser. Both are gentle alternatives to bar soaps or foaming formulas: they get rid of the dirt, oil, and impurities, but leave your skin feeling soft and nourished.

Here’s how to find the best face wash that’ll keep your dry skin happy all winter long:

Got combo/dry skin and love a rejuvenating boost in your cleanser?

Try Orange Cleansing Soap, a comforting face wash infused with Orange Peel Extract that refreshes skin of light makeup, dirt, oil, and other surface impurities.

#MBSkinTip: If you love Enzyme Cleansing Gel in the warmer months but are looking for a winter alternative, you’ll love this face wash, too.

Got combination/dry skin that’s prone to uneven skin tone and texture?

You’ll love Seaweed Cleansing Soap, a fresh, creamy face wash formulated with marine botanicals. Surface impurities are washed away, but your complexion is left softer and smoother than before. Plus, there are real seaweed grains in there to gently buff away dulling dead skin cells.

Got dry, sensitive skin that looks dull?

Use Keratoplast Cream Soap, a unique cleanser that helps rid the skin of pore-clogging impurities without leaving skin feeling parched.

Got dry skin?

Start using Cucumber Cream Soap, a creamy, Cucumber-infused face wash that leaves skin feeling soft, fresh, and hydrated.

Got super sensitive and dry skin?

Try Cream Soap. It’s a simple, gentle formula that was created specifically for delicate skin. It’s an oil-free, fragrance-free, moisturizing formula that cleanses without overdrying skin.

Got super dry, parched, and/or mature skin? Or maybe you love wearing a full face of heavy makeup?

Your skin will love Cleansing Milk with Carnation & Rice Oil. Makeup and surface impurities are instantly wiped clean without stripping dry skin of essential moisture; instead, this oil-based cleansing milk ensures skin feels soft and nourished.

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Originally published as Q&A: Best Face Cleansers for Dry, Winter Skin from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Face feeling a bit congested, tight, or uncomfortable from post-Halloween makeup madness? Here’s how to bring back the clarity:

Remove your makeup.

Thoroughly—as in, leave no traces behind. We recommend using any of these makeup removers to dissolve away all that intense eye makeup first before going in with your cleansing routine. If you went heavy on the face makeup too, try this #MBSkinTip: Remove your makeup with Cleansing Milk with Carnation & Rice Oil, then follow with a rinse-off face wash like Enzyme Cleansing Gel to ensure a thorough cleanse.

Hit the reset button.

After a thorough process of makeup-removing and cleansing, set aside 20 minutes for some skin R&R with one of our tonic masks. Mario Badescu “tonic masks” are clay-based masks that work to purify and clarify the skin—which is exactly what post-Halloween skin craves to reset and start fresh.

Not sure which mask is right for your skin type? Here’s the 411:

• Flower & Tonic Mask is the gentlest of our tonic mask collection. This is a Gardenia and clay-based mask that works restore balance by lifting impurities from the skin while improving moisture retention so all skin types (including sensitive!) appears smoother and more refined.
• Take it a step up and you have our Orange Tonic Mask and Strawberry Tonic Mask. Both are formulated with a Kaolin and Zinc Oxide base to purify and tighten the appearance of pores, offering added oil-absorbing properties to truly deep clean skin. Orange Tonic Mask contains Orange Peel to rejuvenate and prevent pore congestion, whereas Strawberry Tonic Mask is infused with Strawberry (a source of Vitamin C) to give skin a brightening boost.
• Then there’s the strongest of the four: Cucumber Tonic Mask. Designed for very oily or congested skin, this powerful purifying formula leaves your complexion refined, smooth, and shine-free. It’s infused with Cucumber to tone and formulated with natural minerals to clarify—making it a must-have mask for getting your skin back into pre-Halloween makeup madness shape.
• And for troubled areas, try this #MBSkinTip: Apply Buffering Lotion to those erupted areas, then follow with a thin, even layer of Drying Mask on top. This acts a powerful clarifying solution that helps dry up existing surface blemishes and target under-the-skin bumps.

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Shop our tonic masks here.

Originally published as Post-Halloween Madness: How to Bring Back the Clarity in Your Skin from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Dressing up is the half the fun of Halloween (the other half is the sheer abundance of “fun-sized candy bars, which for some bizarre reason, tastes so much better than the original-sized versions). The not so fun part? Removing the face paint and crazy makeup at the end of the night.

To help make the getting un-ready part easy, keep a makeup remover or two on hand: one for your eyes, one for the rest of your face. These are the makeup removers you need this Halloween:

EYE MAKEUP REMOVERS

If you have sensitive skin…

Try our Eye Make-Up Remover Cream. It’s a makeup artist favorite for removing tough, waterproof eye makeup while imparting light moisture back into the skin.

If you have dry skin and/or under-eyes…

Try our Carnation Eye Make-Up Remover Oil. This one is formulated with a  blend of rich oils—like the highly emollient Sesame Seed Oil—to dissolve away waterproof eye makeup quickly and effectively.

If you have oily skin…

Try our Eye Make-Up Remover Gel (Non-Oily). This non-greasy makeup remover has a unique, gel-like texture that’s lightweight on skin and never leaves behind a slick residue.

FACE MAKEUP REMOVER COMBO

Start by cleansing the skin with our Cleansing Milk with Carnation & Rice Oil to break down heavy makeup. Tissue the product off, then go in with Glycolic Foaming Cleanser (instead of your usual daily cleanser) to further deep clean pores and exfoliate skin. Follow with your favorite toner.

.   .   .

Originally published as The Makeup Removers You Need This Halloween from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

To apply, or not to apply? That is the question.

. . .

Like toner, eye cream is one of those steps that raise controversy in the beauty world. Do we need a specialized product to apply to the eye area, or is it an unnecessary—albeit nice—step in a daily skin care regimen?

Would your face serum or moisturizer work just fine around the eyes?

No, not really. Because the skin around your eyes is thinner and often more delicate than the rest of the face, it’s important to use a product formulated specifically for the eye area. Too lightweight and the under-eyes are left dry and crepe-y; too rich and you may be left with a greasy ring of unabsorbed product—and possibly a trail of tiny bumps (a.k.a. milia), too. It’s a classic case of Goldilocks and the three bears, but it’s less about fickleness and more about precision and efficacy.

In fact, Mario Badescu himself considered eye cream quintessential, writing in his first book, The Mario Badescu Way to Beautiful Skin that “every man or woman over the age of 21 should apply an eye cream in the morning and in the evening, as part of the daily routine. There are no exceptions.”

The key is in finding the right formula. Each Mario Badescu eye cream was created with a specific skin type or concern in mind, enabling you to find the eye cream that best suits you.

OILY SKIN? SIMPLY NEW TO EYE CREAM?

Use Ceramide Eye Gel.

Erase all prior preconceptions and misconceptions on eye creams and let us introduce to you to Ceramide Eye Gel. It’s ultra-lightweight and oil-free, making it the perfect introductory eye cream or daily formula for those with oily skin.

What we love most about it: This bouncy gel is cool to the touch, which means it’s a dream to apply first thing in the morning or after a long day. Tap it into your skin and you’ll find that absorbs quickly and seamlessly—which means you get an instant boost of lightweight hydration, fast.

#MBSkinTip: Store the jar in your fridge for an extra refreshing boost. Tired, puffy eyes will be eternally grateful.

COMBINATION SKIN? LOVE A LIGHTWEIGHT EYE CREAM?

Use Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream.

Whether you’re ready to graduate from Ceramide Eye Gel or simply need an eye cream that packs more moisture without the extra weight, Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream is the one for you. Lightweight oils smooth and soften to help diminish the appearance of dry lines, leaving the eye area hydrated and happy.

What we love most about it: The balm-like texture gives it a beautiful slip—which means this eye cream just melts in effortlessly. Ceramide Herbal Eye Cream is packed with skin-loving ingredients like Rosehip Oil, Safflower Seed Oil, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, and Eyebright Extract that replenish and help boost radiance in tired eyes.

NORMAL OR COMBO/DRY SKIN?

Use Hyaluronic Eye Cream.

This is our best-selling eye cream, beloved for its light yet creamy, fast-absorbing texture. In fact, Hyaluronic Eye Cream almost feels whipped in consistency; it’s the perfect mid-weight formula that provides all the hydration you need without feeling heavy on your skin.

What we love most about it: From application to end-of-day, the blend of Hyaluronic Acid. Safflower Seed Oil, and Aloe Vera ensures that the eye area gets maximum hydration. Plus, it leaves skin hydrated, never greasy—making it the ideal daily formula if you wear makeup.

#MBSkinTip: If you love Hyaluronic Eye Cream but sometimes need an extra skin-smoothing boost come winter, layer Cellufirm Drops underneath!

DRY OR SENSITIVE AROUND THE EYES?

Use Chamomile Eye Cream.

The eye area is already delicate as is—so if you have depleted and sensitive skin, try this. A soothing blend of Chamomile Extract, Cocoa Butter, and skin-conditioning oils replenish skin and soften the look of dry lines and wrinkles.

What we love most about it: The formula. Comforting, rich, and creamy, Chamomile Eye Cream is a dream to apply.

#MBSkinTip: Come winter, don’t be afraid to swap out your daily eye cream for this moisture-intensive formula. It’s rich enough to help lock in moisture while soothing winter-worn skin.

DRY OR MATURE?

Use Dermonectin Eye Cream.

Fight visible signs of aging with this powerful, Peptide-infused eye cream. A rich blend of Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, and antioxidant Vitamins A and E deeply nourish under-eyes and reduce the appearance of dry fine lines and wrinkles.

What we love most about it: How smooth it leaves the eye area. Dermonectin Eye Cream is so rich that you only need the tiniest amount to deeply moisturize parched skin.

DEHYDRATED, DEPLETED, AND IN NEED OF DEEP HYDRATION?

Use Special Eye Cream “V.”

For the very dry, we have Special Eye Cream “V.” It’s an ultra-rich, Vitamin E-packed formula that serves to smooth the look of dry lines and wrinkles—like the little “V” lines (or laugh lines) at the outermost corners.

What we love most about it: The decadent texture. For parched or mature skin, this formula is a dry skin savior.

#MBSkinTip: Don’t be afraid to mix and match your eye creams. If Special Eye Cream “V” is too heavy for daytime use, save this as your evening treat and use Hyaluronic Eye Cream as your AM option instead.

DRY LINES, WRINKLES, AND DISCOLORATION?

Use Glycolic Eye Cream.

Soften the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration around the eye area. Formulated with Glycolic Acid to brighten and a blend of Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, and Olive Leaf Extract to nourish, this rich eye cream replenishes dehydrated skin with the moisture it craves—encouraging a more youthful-looking eye area.

What we love most about it: The alpha hydroxy acid component. Glycolic Acid is the hero ingredient that changes the eye game: this formula offers deep moisturization and a solution for reducing visible signs of aging.

PARCHED PAST THE POINT OF NO RETURN?

Use Olive Eye Cream.

There is a solution. And there definitely is solace for the ultra-dry. Olive Eye Cream is our most moisture-intensive eye cream, formulated to deeply nourish, replenish, and lock in moisture to protect against moisture loss.

What we love about it: The sumptuous formula. A blend of skin-conditioning oils, Cocoa Butter, and antioxidant Vitamin E make for a luxurious formula. It’s dense—but it’s exactly what dry or mature skin needs.

. . .

SHOP ALL EYE CREAMS

Originally published as Best Eye Cream for Your Skin Type from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Our prerogative is to keep things light, fresh, and dewy no matter what summer throws our way. Ninety-degree weather? We’re not fazed. Humidity like you wouldn’t believe? No problem. We’re armed and ready with oil-free skin care products for every skin type.

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Seaweed Cleansing Soap

What it is: A creamy—but still oil-free!—cleanser enriched with marine botanicals. Tiny seaweed grains buff away dulling, dead skin cells to soften and rejuvenate skin.

Who it’s for: All skin types

#MBSkinTip: Love seaweed-infused skin care? Try Seaweed Cleansing Lotion and Seaweed Night Cream, both of which are packed with mineral-rich Bladderwrack Extract (a type of seaweed) and are oil-free.

Enzyme Cleansing Gel

What it is: A fruit extract-infused face wash is as refreshing as it sounds. It’s an oil-free gel formula that rinses away pore-clogging oil, light makeup, and surface impurities to reveal a bright, fresh-faced complexion.

Who it’s for: All skin types

#MBSkinTip: Toner is essential to the cleansing process. After you’ve washed your face, we recommend following with…

• Aloe Vera Toner if you have dry or sensitive skin
• Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion if you have dry or mature skin
• Glycolic Acid Toner if you have dull or mature skin
• Cucumber Cleansing Lotion if you have combination or oily skin
• Special Cucumber Lotion if you have oily, troubled skin

Acne Facial Cleanser

What it is: A daily face wash specially formulated for troubled, congested skin. This cleanser features Salicylic Acid and Thyme Extract to help clarify and promote a clearer-looking complexion. And of course, it’s oil-free.

Who it’s for: Oily, congested, or troubled skin

#MBSkinTip: Take it to the next level and follow with Special Cucumber Lotion.

Botanical Facial Gel

What it is: A daily face wash that removes pore-clogging oil and helps cut T-zone shine.

Who it’s for: Oily skin

#MBSkinTip: After washing our face, follow with toner to further remove surface impurities and excess oil. Cucumber Cleansing Lotion was made for you.

Ceramide Eye Gel

What it is: A water-light, oil-free gel that delivers essential hydration to the eye area without feeling heavy (or looking slick) on skin.

Who it’s for: All skin types—but especially Oily skin types!

#MBSkinTip: Pop it in the fridge for an extra cooling, instant wake-me-up effect!

Oil Free Moisturizer

What it is: An ultra-lightweight moisturizer you can use day and night.

Who it’s for: Combination, Oily, or Sensitive skin

Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 17

What it is: A lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizer with broad spectrum sun protection. It’s oil-free and fragrance-free—making it the perfect daytime formula if you have congested or troubled skin.

Who it’s for: Combination, Oily, or Sensitive skin

Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30

What it is: A creamy, oil-free moisturizer infused with Aloe Vera and Extracts of Green Tea and St. John’s Wort. One of our most frequently asked questions is how this one compares to the other oil-free moisturizers in our range; Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 is still lightweight, but of the line-up, has a richer consistency that makes it a favorite for all skin types—not just those who are oily.

Who it’s for: Combination, Oily, or Sensitive skin

Aloe Moisturizer SPF 15

What it is: An Aloe-infused moisturizer that helps hydrate, soothe, and protect—which is why it’s a favorite for those with troubled skin.

Who it’s for: Combination, Oily, or Sensitive skin

Herbal Hydrating Serum

What it is: Dewy skin in a bottle. Lightweight, versatile, and oil-free, this gel-serum can be worn alone or over your favorite moisturizer (oil-free or not), which allows you to customize how—and where—you hydrate.

Who it’s for: All skin types

Seaweed Night Cream

What it is: A nourishing night cream formulated sans oil. Just because your skin feels oilier doesn’t mean it doesn’t need proper moisture and hydration. Mineral-rich Bladderwrack Extract, Collagen, Elastin, and Sodium Hyaluronate combine in a moisturizing blend that leaves skin soft, smooth, and radiant come morning.

Who it’s for: Combination, Oily, or Sensitive skin

#MBSkinTip: Say it’s the hottest night of the year and you want skip night cream. Use your daytime, non-SPF moisturizer (like Oil Free Moisturizer, for example) and layer Herbal Hydrating Serum on top for an ultra-lightweight, refreshing boost of hydration.

. . .

Originally published as The Best Oil-Free Skin Care Products from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.

Congrats! You’ve come to the right place for fast-acting, clear skin solutions. But with not one, but three spot treatments in front of you, which of these Mario Badescu products will work best for your breakouts?

Surface blemishes? Use Drying Lotion.

Drying Lotion is the original, award-winning product that targets pesky surface blemishes while you sleep. It was formulated by Badescu himself in the 1960s and has since taken top shelf in medicine cabinets around the world.

Here’s how Drying Lotion works:

1. Whatever you do, don’t shake the bottle. It’s tempting—it’s the first thing most people do when they see it—but Drying Lotion is meant to work as a bi-phase solution.
2. Dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment. Here’s a tip: use the smaller, fine-tipped cotton swabs for more precise application. It’ll grab less product too, which means your bottle will last you a little longer.
3. Apply the product directly to any surface blemishes. Think of Drying Lotion as a tiny pink mask for every spot. Leave it on overnight and wash everything off come morning. Voila!

Small bumps and blemishes? Use Drying Cream.

Drying Cream is specially formulated to target and dry up those clusters of small bumps and blemishes. After you’ve cleansed and toned your skin, pat a small amount of the cream on those breakouts. The powerful Sulfur and Zinc Oxide formula works to clarify troubled areas so skin appears smoother and clearer the next morning.

Large and painful, under-the-skin bumps? Use Buffering Lotion.

These are the kind of bumps that hurt to the touch and feel deeply rooted in the skin. Because this type of breakout doesn’t come to a head, they require a little extra care. Enter Buffering Lotion, a unique solution to these blemishes.

Unlike most spot treatments, Buffering Lotion isn’t a paste or gel-like product. Instead, it’s super thin and water-y in consistency, which enables it to sink quickly into the skin and target problems at the root—so don’t be alarmed when you first start using it!

For starters, do shake the bottle: you want the white sediment to mix with the liquid so it turns milky-white in color. For every spot you see, squeeze one drop onto a clean fingertip and gently pat it onto the blemish.

(Need all three solutions? Get our Acne Repair Kit and save.)

…so what’s the Anti-Acne Serum¸ you ask?

Anti-Acne Serum isn’t a spot treatment. It’s a super lightweight gel that’s designed to re-balance skin and promote a clearer complexion. Here’s how: Salicylic Acid (a powerful beta hydroxy acid) helps rid the skin of pore-clogging sebum and dead skin cells—which when left to accumulate, leads to breakouts—and allows Thyme Extract to clarify pores.

It’s easy to use too. Apply nightly on breakout and blackhead-prone areas to keep skin looking clear for the long-run.

.   .   .

SHOP CLEAR SKIN SOLUTIONS

Originally published as What’s the Difference Between Drying Lotion, Drying Cream & Buffering Lotion? from the Mario Badescu Skin Care Blog.