Mario Badescu: the honest verdict.
The 1967 New York skincare brand that has lived on bathroom shelves for generations. Tested across three cult products.
8.5/10
Glow score
- Position
- Mass premium · Spot treatments
- Founded
- 1967 · New York, USA
- Available at
- Adore Beauty, Mecca, Chemist Warehouse
The verdict
The Drying Lotion is still the reason.
Mario Badescu's catalogue is mixed — some products are dated, some are magic. The Drying Lotion remains one of the most effective overnight spot treatments at its price. The rosewater facial spray is overhyped. The brand's strength is in acute treatments, not daily routine. Buy the Drying Lotion, skip the rest unless you're nostalgic.
What they do right
- Drying Lotion is category-leading
- Heritage + longevity
- Accessible pricing
- Widely available
What to know
- Range is inconsistent
- Dated formulations in parts of the line
The lineup
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