Product Reviews Rated 4.28 out of 5 stars
3569 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review A staple for your cabinet I never really write reviews, but after being a long-time user of Mario Badescu drying lotion and seeing that it has some pretty poor reviews on here I felt compelled to provide my review.
1. This product is in no way shape or form a miracle worker. You will not go to bed and wake up with porcelain, celeb-like skin and never have to use concealer on a nasty blemish again... you will however put it on before bed and wake up with a SUBSTANTIALLY smaller blemish and dramatically reduced redness/inflammation.
2. Yeah, it gets a little dry around the blemish especially after using the product for 2-3 days, but nothing a little added moisturizer and light exfoliation each morning doesn't fix.
3. Yes, it stings a bit. Think about it, you're putting salicylic acid on a very inflamed portion of your face. I wouldn't say it stings badly enough for me to take it off, but it does sting a bit especially if the pimple has been opened. I just tell myself it's working and it only lasts about 10-20 seconds until the lotion dries.
4. It does have a strong odor, but as someone else said it's sort of refreshing. It will definitely clear your sinuses! Again, this only lasts 10-20 seconds until the product dries.
In conclusion, I will always have this drying lotion in my cabinet. The product is seriously fantastic and although it has a strong smell and tends to sting at first, it really does make a dramatic difference in your blemish overnight with it clearing up completely in a few days. It's super affordable as well for the amount you get, so do yourself a favor and try it out. Oh, and read the directions - q-tip straight into the bottle to the bottom pink sediment and straight out. Use a new q-tip for each pimple so as not to transfer bacteria!
Most Helpful Critical Review Didn't work for me I've basically finished the entire glass bottle of this drying lotion, I originally heard about how great it was for spot treatments, therefore I bought it for when I get that one zit that randomly pops up, but it did nothing for me. I don't think it did anything negative, however, it was ineffective FOR ME. I would dab some on with a cotton swab, and leave it over night (around 6-7 hours) and in the morning when I wash my face the zit(s) appeared the exact same as the night before. No difference. I'm still looking for another one that might work better.
Reviewed by 3569 customers It's a no for me-breakouts 2
Fab Lady from New York
This will dry out some types of breakouts, but I can't trust this 100% because it did also make me breakout. Will not be repurchasing.
so excited 4 disappointment 3
11 11 from Buckner Illinois
I really thought this would work but it seems like nothing does. it smells like straight Alcohol. it's extremely runny. it didn't work for me. maybe it will for you.
worked a miracle on a big painful deep in the skin boi 5
Zoe the Runner from California
I had been curious about this for years and finally tried it last night. I'm convinced! I used this last night on a big (pea sized) zit that was forming yesterday. Normally what I would do is wait until it came to a head (or almost came to a head) and then squeeze and pick until it didn't stick out anymore but did look like someone had stabbed me in the chin. Hard to resist with something that hurts and is a visible lump sticking out of your face!
Last night I put this lotion on, and this morning that zit is….just a normal sized small zit!
I am a passionate pimple patch devotee for smallish zits that I've popped, but this drying lotion is my new go to for pimples that are new and not coming to a head yet. (Maybe catching them early will help me stop picking so much! The dream!)
It smells insane but not exactly bad…just super strong and very medicinal.
Doesn't work for me 3
Juanted9000 from Seattle
I am sad to say this does not work for me. I have tried to use multiple times and it does not make a noticeable difference. It also smells very unpleasant. The smell seems to seep into everything. Even after I wash the lotion dot off my face in the morning, I can smell the lotion in my clothes and bedding and have to wash them. I saw ads for this is magazines for years but just recently decided to splurge on it. For me, it was a waste of money:/.
LOVE 5
Marsx from los angeles
LOVE this, i have really bad hormonal acne on my chin that usually turns into a cyst. I dab some of this on as soon as I feel a tender area and it dries it up super quick!
helped my bad cystic acne 5
tonksfan:) from Texas
I have terrible acne, including some bad cystic , but. .... This changed everything it helped tremendously.
Pass 2
SuzyQ from Raleigh, NC
Nothing amazing - garlic works better. Also, this stuff is super hard to take off the next day which ends up irritating the zit/pimple even more :(
depends on type of acne 3
julia from usa
i don't usually review things but i have to do it for this. i often get small red blemishes that don't have a head necessarily, but are visible. it DOES NOT work for them, and it dried my skin so much it made it peel and burn (my skins on the oily side). however, i got a more painful larger pimple with a head and tried it on that. after night one it was dried out and kind of looked like a scab, and after night 2 i peeled it off and all it left was a little redness that could be taken care of using the hero rescue balm. if you try this, definitely make sure the blemish has a head, and make sure it only gets right on the head and not on the skin surrounding it, as it will dry anyones skin out intensely.
literal sorcery 5
Chrissy from NJ
I love this stuff sm!!!!! I bought this less than 24 hours ago and have applied it twice and my acne has improved so much and my skin looks a million times better! I don't know what kind of magic this is but it works so well and I seriously am so happy i found this product!!! (the only downside is that the smell is a very strong but other than that, it's great!) 1 million% recommend 💕💕💕
It's alright 3
Meli from Algonquin
I've been using this for months now but it's alright. Sometimes when I breakout I spit treat my pimples & does dries out in like two days (for me). Doesn't hurt to give it a try. I have sensitive skin so it didn't affect me but it will dry out that specific area so make sure you moisturize.
Doesn't get rid of acne 3
carolina from texas
It just drys it and leaves it there for forever. If you're looking for something to get rid of acne overnight this is not the product for you. This is good if you just want the bump to go away.
Great purchase 5
Grace from Tennessee
This product personally works wonderful with me and I would recommend it.
This is a miracle product 5
Lori S in PA from Southern central / Southeastern PA
Apply as soon as you feel a blemish or pimple forming. Overnight is best b/c this product dries w/ a chalky pink finish much like calamine lotion (that's an ingredient). Next morning, the pain and/or redness is considerably diminished/gone.
Really Works!! 5
A.B. from NYC
This is the best!! I recently began to have a lot of blemishes and pimples around my forehead and chin, i tried all the patches (hero, starface, peach slices, Pacifica) and none worked!! I heard about this but I never bought it until last week and it has worked so well! it doesn't completely remove the blemish but it definitely reduces the size and redness of it!
I can't live without it 5
Taylor from NC
I've gone through 30+ bottles. I have had acne since I was 16, and continue to struggle with it into my 20s. This has been the only product that continually shows results. It immediately shrinks pimples overnight and helps dramatically with the healing process. It doesn't dry out or irritate the skin as well. It's been a game changer in my journey to minimize my acne.
NOTHING LIKE THIS IN THE MARKET! 5
Rach from NC
I have been using this product for DECADES! It has always been my go to for major flare up break out moments! You put some on at night and by the morning it has gone down so much! Whoever put this product together decades ago deserves an award!
So AMAZING 5
Ali from NH
WOW such a great product! My lips were so dry I put vasoline on them and then got two massive deep pimples almost two weeks ago.Bought this last night at ulta as a Hail Mary this thing has to go away- the difference this morning is incredible!!! It's no longer red and huge- it was so deep and painful to even touch yesterday. Now flat to just face, no redness and dried out not painful! seriously try this next time you get a blemish- so amazing!
pls buy this 5
h from belton
this product is my holy grail ! worked so well for my skin and made my acne disappear
My favorite 5
Jo from Missouri
This product never lets me down
Cystic Acne Gone!!! 5
Gina from Myrtle Beach SC
I love this product !
Instant results within hours. Do not shake the product to mix the clear and pink solutions ! It should be separated as I was instructed. A little goes a long way.
1000% cleared my hormonal, cystic acne 5
Amanda from Louisville, KY
I have had cystic acne for almost 2 years now (at age 29) and have been trying to get rid of it for just as long. I have tried curology, prescription creams, and many many other things. Once I stated using this, along with the Buffering Lotion from this brand, my face was clear within 2-3 weeks. Idk what magic is in these products, but it's made me feel like myself again. THANK YOU MARIO BADESCU
Do not shake; 5
Kim from shoreline
To use this dip a qtip in until it reaches the pink and then dot on the pimple. Overnight it shrinks!
Works great for breakouts 5
Chelles from California
I'm allergic to benzoyl peroxide and this is a great alternative. Been using this for many years. Shrinks pimples right away.
Best combo 5
Jazzy Jay from McAllen, TX
I have been struggling with stress acne and nothing I did worked out. I'm talking about huge under the skin red pimples that sadly would take weeks to go away. I recalled the drying mask is line has and saw the lotion as well. I had my friends in 3 days and willing to do one last thing to bring down the horrible flare ups I had with my acne. For 3 nights I applied the lotion and slept with the drying mask for those tough spots. It did all the wonders for me! No I don't have clear skin yet but it has reduced the appearance of my breakouts and redness by 80%
Better than Patches 5
Beech from Wisconsin
Although I want to love acne patches, they always ended up reopening the pimple every morning when I took it off. But that doesn't happen with this! Although it tends to rub off overnight, still super effective at shrinking breakouts overnight. A must.
