Product Reviews Rated 4.24 out of 5 stars
602 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Want to use this on everything in my life I've been looking into how to update my skincare routine since I'm nearing 30 (I'm turning 29 this year) and kept reading about how I should add in a Vitamin C serum. Most of the Vitamin C serums I found were in the $70-90 dollar range and I didn't want to spend THAT much money on a product I wasn't sure about. I thought I'd try to Mario Badescu serum as a "beginner" serum since I wasn't going to worry about retinol or higher end serums until after I turned 30. I've been using it for about a month and I'm now OBSESSED with this serum and refuse to go without it. I have more sensitive/breakout prone skin and was worried it would be too harsh for me, but I use a generous amount on the nights I apply it and I've never had any issues with redness or increased sensitivity. I use it every other night (based on recommendations I'd read for Vitamin C serums) and let it sink in while I brush my teeth before putting on my moisturizer. This product has made more difference to my skin than anything else I've used before. After just one application, I woke up the next day to soft, smooth skin like I haven't felt in years. After using it regularly, my skin texture has improved tremendously and I'm not dealing with little dry, flaky areas on my forehead and cheeks like I have been. My mom and little brother both commented that it seemed to be improving my acne scars as well when they saw me without makeup. I also swear it's reducing my breakouts because I'll normally have a hormonal breakout along my jaw once a month, but those are almost non-existent now. I get significantly fewer whiteheads than I did before; I still get the occasional one, but they're much less frequent and they clear up fast. I love this so much that I bought it for my best friend for her 29th birthday because her skin is like mine!
Most Helpful Critical Review Ok product. This serum definitely does make the skin nice and smooth. The one single problem I am having with this product is it's making me have a weird reaction on my chin and laugh line area.
The skin is very itchy with ruff skin that seems to have tiny little bumps on said area. There also seems to be some clear fluid discharge. This is very rare for me since I've used really potent products before (a few years ago not together with this product)
I've used the product a few different ways and every time I use this on said area my face reacts at the same spots every time. Went to the doc and I have to put cortisone cream since they think it's "contact dermatitis".
It seems like the product works well for a lot of people. So I am very sad that I have to go and return this serum at my local Ulta.
Reviewed by 602 customers Beware if you have acne-prone/sensitive skin 1
G from Philadelphia
I wanted to love this product! I've been using it a few times a month for a year now. Everytime I use it, I wake up with tiny whiteheads on my cheeks that take over a week to go away & irritated skin. I am 21 years old & have combo skin with light acne that comes and goes based on new products I try. For some reason I kept using this product in hopes of it working. I would wait for my skin to clear to use it again and the same process would keep happening over and over literally for months now. I'm giving up on it & now using products that I know calm my skin because there are plenty of other options. I really wanted this to be my holy grail serum for the price I paid, but It turns out there are products that clear up my skin and make my skin glowy for 1/5th of the price.
It's meh 2
Polly from Tucson
I don't get the hype. If your skin is dry then it burns and my skin doesn't look any different the next day. I want to love it but I just don't.
I would buy this product again. 5
Meg from Cleveland, OH
I like the consistency of the product and how it absorbs to my skin. The results - evens my skin tone.
4 yrs in and I'm still loving it 💗 5
Pitta from Tucson Arizona
i use this every night after i wash my face, i love it, leaves my skin flawless and smooth best Vitamin C serum ever!
I wake up in the morning and seemy face looking a litter bet 5
none from Brownsville, Texas
I use the serum at night and look forward to the morng.
Great Product 5
Wendy from Dallas, TX
I used the product just as instructed, applied to a clean face, every other evening. I've been using is only for a few days, but I can already tell the difference. My face looks clear and healthy.
Wonderful 😍 5
Kvel from Tyler,Texas
The best vit C.
love! 5
misdb from oregon
i've bought this again and again and it always works. i can notice a difference in my complexion and skin texture every time.
One of the few products I like of them 4
Andrea Hoyos from Orlando, Fl
It's nice. Not for sensitive skin tho, price is ok but THERES other ones with less vitamin C
Loved 5
Karen from Tyler
Wowwww! It is excellent.
Not for sensitive skin 1
Nadia Cristina from WA
If you have sensitive skin stay away from this Serum. I have atopic dermatitis and this triggered not only an allergic reaction but, it made me break out so badly I have to change my entire routine. I used it less than a month and it's been a pain for my skin to return to normal.
Great product! 5
Missy from Orlando, Fl
Use as directed, it brightens and smooths my skin!
I did not find any difference in the skin even after 4 use 1
Celine from Delaware
As I m in my late 30's I wanted a nice anti aging serum, moisturizer or skin oil as my skin is really dry and sensitive, tht keeps my skin hydrated the whole
Day.
Useless 1
Jenn from Philadelphia, PA
I've been using this serum as directed (every other day) for 2 months and I have seen no difference whatsoever. Hasn't lightened my under-eye circles. Hasn't made my skin anymore hydrated. Hasn't reduced any redness. It's useless.
Does The Job. Somewhat. 3
Summer from Arizona
I use this every other night after cleansing and toning my face. It does help reduce acne scars and other discoloration but it isn't as effective as I hope it would be.
I buy on a regular basis. 5
Mom from NC
Brightens my skin. Lightens my dark spots.
Works on stretch marks! 5
Soon-to-be mom from Austin, tx
I'm 35 weeks pregnant and I thought I was safe from stretch marks because my mom and grandmother didn't get any during their pregnancies, but I noticed them starting to form at 32 weeks and I was devastated. I'd been religiously applying lotion with vitamin E day and night since my first trimester so I felt really bad. I decided to rub this serum over my forming stretch marks (in addition to the lotion) as it hydrates the skin and helps reduce scarring (that's what stretch marks are, after all). I didn't expect to see a dramatic reduction in my stretch marks after TWO DAYS, and my husband agrees. Don't get me wrong, they're still there, but they're closer to my skin color and harder to see as opposed to the reddish color that they were. I know this is a strange way to use this products and it was made to be used on the face but I just had to mention it in. I still find it pricey but it's pennies compared to laser removal or cover-up tattoos.
I must sound vain right now but I've suffered from body image issues since I was a teen and the stretch marks were taking a mental toll on me but this serum might've helped restore my sanity and I think that deserves 5 stars.
This was my favorite vitamin C serum they changed formula 3
Zar from Elk Grove, CA
They changed the formula and added ingredients like castor oil as a woman I don't want hair follicle growth inducing ingredients in my vitamin C serum the old formula was perfect they should go back to it
Love it! 5
J2P from Washington, DC
I've been using Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum for over a year now. I absolutely love this product. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated and in conjunction with prescription acne meds has cleared up my cystic acne and discoloration.
I love this product! 5
Ninel from CA
I use this every night and notice the difference immediately when I wake up. My skin looks more refreshed and the dark spot lighter with each use. I get acne monthly with my monthly visiter and this helps get rid off my dark spot from my visiter lol. Over all my skin look less dull and brighter.
I have combination skin.
Fantastic! 5
CG from SC
Can't say enough good things about this product. I pair it with a few The Ordinary products and my skin has never looked better. I've had forehead wrinkles since I was a teen, over the years and lack of proper skin care, the wrinkles have deepened greatly. However, after a few months of using this, the ordinary hyaluronic acid, nightly lactic acid, my skin does not only look much better, but it feels better. My skin is much more brighter and teen years of not taking proper care have almost vanished with using these products. I would HIGHLY recommend this product to anyone who has wrinkles and that neglected their skin. It's made a huge difference in my skin, I feel so much more confident about my skin, and overall extremely happy with this product.
A wonderfully effective, quality serum! 5
SV from Chicago
While this product gets good ratings overall, I just felt it needed an extra "shout out." I have tried various C serums - and I decided to give the Mario B a try. I'm glad I did! One thing people forget, that is that Mario Badescu DOES SKIN and isn't in the beauty game, as so many of the other makers of all things cream, serum, etc., are. So I trust that his products do what they claim. Like others, I use mine in the morning, so that I do not have to discontinue/skip my retinol cream at night. The serum feels thicker than many others when you apply it - and the ONLY con is that you have to work fast to rub it in, otherwise it doesn't spread as easily. The smell is refreshing - a bit like a tree tree oil. NOT perfumey. It takes about five minutes for it to fully sink in, and then viola! Your face will look wonderful. It has an ever so slight tingly feeling that goes away after fifteen minutes or so, but it leaves no redness. I love what it is doing for my skin, and I trust this brand. I cannot stress it enough - this product is coming from a purely skin care line that is not involved with beauty - just better skin. Another quality product from Mario B!
Loved it! 5
Rain from Columbus, Oh
This product says to use nightly, but I have been using it during the daytime and I love what it does for my skin. One large acne mark on my cheek looked significantly better within a few days of wearing this. It feels a bit oily when I am applying it, but my skins soaks it right up and it wears very well under makeup
Holy grail! 5
RNGal from Boston
I've had problem skin my entire life, 30s hit and now it's sensitive and I'm showing wrinkles. This product along with the orange face wash and a vitamin c cream makes me look and feel in my 20s again! It's a holy grail product.
No change 2
Lisa from NY
I bought & began using this in September. I've used it every other night and am about half way through the bottle, so even though it's not cheap it does last awhile. But I have noticed zero change in my skin. Not a thing.