These days I keep thinking about the importance of self-care. How it’s something to lean into when things around us are not so great, because we need to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others. Eat well, exercise, drink water, moisturize! It shouldn’t be a luxury to care for yourself, which is why when it comes to skincare, I appreciate the moderately-priced, cruelty-free brand Mario Badescu. Here’s a review of three products I’ve tried in the last year.
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.
Seaweed Night Cream
Seaweed Night Cream – $22
Key Ingredients: for hydration.
How I Use It: This winter has been especially harsh over here on the East Coast, so I added this Seaweed Night Cream to my evening routine. I apply this as the final step after cleansing, toner, and serums. While it’s a bright green, once it’s absorbed, there’s no tint. I use a small amount as a little goes a long way.
Mario Badescu describes this oil-free cream as “lightweight” but that’s not how I categorize it. To me, it feels rich and creamy, but not heavy. Skincare products can sometimes cause me to break out, but I’ve been using this for about five months with no issues. It does have a floral fragrance to it, though, so if you’re sensitive to scents, this might not be for you.
Does It Work? My face does feel more hydrated. (Using a humidifier at night probably also helps.) In the morning, my skin feels smooth. I don’t know if it’s done anything for wrinkles, but I suspect my skin would be worse off during these dry, cold months without this cream. I would definitely repurchase this.
Super Peptide Serum
Super Peptide Serum – $45
How I Use It: I apply a couple drops of this during the day and at night after toner and before moisturizer. It goes on light, isn’t sticky, and has no smell.
Does It Work? Hmmm, unclear. I’m lucky to not have much in the way of fine lines right now. Does this serum prevent lines? If it does, I have no way of measuring that! But I do have a creased laugh line around my mouth going up towards my nose. Using this for 11 months hasn’t yielded a noticeable difference in that area.
Advanced Peptide PDRN Jelly Cream
Though PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, has been around since the 1980s, its popularity in skincare has soared in the last couple of years. What is it, exactly? Why, DNA fragments derived from the sperm cells of salmon or trout. Benefits include repairing tissue, increasing collagen production, boosting hydration, and improving skin elasticity. Mario Badescu’s version, which they just released yesterday, is plant-based. No salmon sperm here!
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide for strengthening the skin barrier, for hydration, and
How I Use It: I layer it over the Peptide Serum and before the Seaweed Night Cream or, if during the day, my daytime moisturizer. The jelly texture is fun and wiggles like jello. It’s lightweight, feels cooling, and melts into the skin. It’s not sticky and there’s no fragrance. And though it’s pink (thanks to Vitamin B12), it leaves no color.
Does It Work? Mario Badescu sent me a jar to try before the launch, so I’ve been using it for only about three weeks. So far, I’ve not noticed any improvements, but I also haven’t experienced anything negative. In early reviews, some people said it reduces redness (which is not an issue I generally have) and helps with fine lines.
As it contains some of the same ingredients as the other products I’ve reviewed here, who knows which particular product to attribute improvements, if any, to. I don’t think it hurts to layer products, though, as they probably work together in concert.
I like to test products out for longer before making a call, so I’ll have to come back and update this post. Stay tuned!
Mario Badescu Coupon Code
If you’re interested in any Mario Badescu products, they gave me a discount code to share with you. Use WELCOME15 to get 15% off your purchase through 4/21/26.
