Today’s review of two Mario Badescu Vitamin C products is nine months in the making. With skincare, I like to test over a significant stretch of time before writing a review.
Why I’m a Fan of Mario Badescu
Mario Badescu (who was a real person — a chemist, pharmacist, and immigrant from Romania) is a brand I’ve used on and off for many years. It was one of the first department store brands I tried when I graduated from drug store brands. And it made a difference! Friends noticed and commented on my skin’s improvement.
When I showed the products to one friend, she wasn’t impressed by the brand’s plain packaging. But I actually love that about them. The use of simple plastic containers or glass bottles means that I’m not paying for fancy packaging, which often doesn’t seem easily recyclable anyway.
Other pros in my book: the brand is cruelty-free and also privately owned by a family, not a multi-conglomerate. (The Cabasso family bought the brand in 1984 after Badescu’s death.) The pricing is also middle of the range and not as expensive as other skincare brands.
I’ve been a long-time user of their best-selling drying lotion for zits and for many years I used their enzyme cleanser, which left my face feeling squeaky clean. So, when the brand reached out to me to try some products, I was all in.
Benefits of Vitamin C
Now, before we get on with the review, some relevant info: I have combination skin and am Asian.
I’ve developed sun spots on my cheeks, so I picked out the Vitamin C Serum and Brightening Mask with Vitamin C. Vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid) is supposed to even out skin tone, resurface the skin, and reduce the signs of aging, like fine lines. I’ve attacked my sun spots with various serums from other brands in recent years. But my spots have remained stubborn, so this would definitely be a test.
A word of caution if you’re new to Vitamin C: It does not play well with AHA (such as glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, malic, mandelic acids), BHA (salicylic, benzoyl peroxide acids), and retinols/retinoid products. Do not use them at the same time as Vitamin C! (For example, I only use Vitamin C during the day, and I apply my AHA at night.)
Mario Badescu gave me these products to me and this post contains affiliate links. If you shop through my links, I may earn a commission. As always, I decide what to write about and all opinions are my own.
Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C Serum – $45. Brightening Mask with Vitamin C – $22
Key Ingredients: Mario Badescu’s serum formulation contains 7.5% ascorbic acid. It also includes sodium hyaluronate (a smaller molecular size of hyaluronic acid for hydration) and collagen. (Though I’m not convinced you can get the firming effects of collagen from a bottle).
How I Used It: I use the Vitamin C Serum nearly every day. After I cleanse and tone, I use three drops and pat them into my skin. (Well, it’s more like I spread them around with my finger tips.) The serum has an oily feel, but absorbs pretty quickly into my skin. Some Vitamin C serums smell funky, but this one doesn’t. In fact, it doesn’t really have a scent. Afterwards, I apply my moisturizer and sunscreen — a must as vitamin C makes your skin more sensitive to sun.
How Long it Lasts: After nine months, I’m about 75% of the way through the 1-oz bottle, so a bottle probably lasts a year.
Cost: $45
Brightening Mask with Vitamin C
After 10 months of use, I’m getting close to hitting the bottom of this jar of Mario Badescu Brightening Mask.
Key Ingredients: Kaolin (a clay mineral that absorbs oil and exfoliates), THD ascorbic (an oil soluble form of Vitamin C), oatmeal (which is soothing). You can find a list of the full ingredients on the Mario Badescu site. I appreciate how you can click on each ingredient and a drop down will give you more information about what the ingredient does.
How I Used It: Two to three times a week I apply the Brightening Mask in the morning as I get ready for my day. I leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. The mask is white with a thick consistency. It feels nice and smells good. It has a light powdery scent. I enjoy the ritual of it.
How Long it Lasts: A 2-oz jar lasts about a year. At about the ten-month mark, the mask starts to dry, so perhaps I should try using it up more quickly. When it gets to that point, I wet my fingers to help make the mask easier to apply.
Cost: $22
Did I Get Results?
I took photos of my progress, though with differing light conditions (I have a skylight in my bathroom), I’m not sure how reliable my photos are. But after nine months of using both products consistently, I believe there’s a slight improvement in my skin tone. My spots are definitely still there, but they do seem a bit lighter.
Now, is there something out there that might work better? Maybe. But I’ve tried at least four other serums in recent years, and this one seems to be the only one that’s made a difference, subtle though it may be.
Once I use up these products, I plan on ordering them again, so yes, I recommend them.
