Double Review: Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion and Mario Badescu Drying Mask

First product from Mario Badescu I tried, the glycolic foaming cleanser, impressed me a lot and love till this day. Helps a lot in terms of preventing pore congestion but still wasn't enough to ward off those pesky cystic acne breakouts that would pop out every so often. While using the cleanser, I had one so stubborn it won't go away. Since MB left me a good first impression, I turned to them again for a possible solution. Browsing through their website, I across the buffering lotion which, according to them:

Price: Php 1,095 29mL bottle

Place to buy: Rustan's essences or www.mariobadescu.com

"Specifically designed to treat large, deep, cystic acne, the buffering lotion covers large erupted areas for overall treatment. Formulated with nourishing B vitamins and amino acids for healthy skin as well as soothing anti-inflammatory herbal extracts to promote healing. Reduce cystic acne fast with this deep penetrating, fast absorbing formula. "

INGREDIENTS: Deionized Water,Isopropyl Alcohol,Sodium Sulfate, Zinc Oxide,Hydrolyzed Serum Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein,Pyridoxine, Niacinamide, Panthenol,Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, Biotin

Same with Mario's bestselling drying lotion, the buffering lotion's solution also separates into two components. But opposed to the former wherein shaking of the bottle is strongly discouraged, the buffering lotion should be shaken thoroughly before application. 

see that white stuff at the bottom?

Consistency is liquid, not creamy. Sort of reminds me of a regular eye drop with its pointed spout. Also smells like rubbing alcohol. Not surprising due to one of it's active ingredients:isopropyl alcohol.

I was really excited to use this when I got home. I've religiously applied it on the existing stubborn cystic breakout I had for a week. Sad to say though, it did not work for me. Another one even started to appear just beside it. I was really disappointed. But I had major expectations as well, so that is unavoidable.  

Mario Badescu recommends this to be used hand in hand with their drying mask but I ain't ready to shell out more dough scared that it may not work just like the buffering lotion. A sample was what I needed. But you know what happened the last time I asked at Rustan's right? So I decided to just go directly to Mario Badescu for some assistance. Let me just say here, that MB has a stellar customer service. I guess this is one of the reasons they've been around for this long. They guide you with every question you needed answer to. And consumers really appreciate a great customer service. I told them my concern and was nice enough to send me a sample of their drying mask. This will bring us to the next part of this double review...

Update: I used this alone when I felt something was about to come on and it worked! It stopped the cystic acne in its track. So this works well with that but a bit useless for full blown cystic acne breakouts.

Price: Php 1,145 2oz. jar

Place to buy: Rustan's essences or www.mariobadescu.com

"Help clear acne eruptions. This Colloidal Sulfur based mask dries existing pimples and oil and helps clarify problematic, acne prone skin. Soothing Calamine makes this mask safe and gentle for most skin types. Great for back and chest acne eruptions as well. Best when used as a companion product to our Healing & Soothing Mask and Buffering Lotion."

INGREDIENTS: Deionized Water (Aqua), Kaolin,Wheat (Triticum Vulgare) Starch,Calamine,Ichthammol,Propylene Glycol, Colloidal Sulfur, Titanium Dioxide 

Mario Badescu products encased in jars are properly sealed to keep it fresh. :D

Now, before you go out and think of trying this out, I'm gonna warn you of the smell. Since one of the major ingredients of this mask is Sulfur, this smells like newly-bought kicks or burnt rubber. The smell is strong alright. I even got a headache on my first use but it wasn't  mind-numbing pain and did go after a few minutes so it was okay. This sure smells like hell but boy, it works! I applied it on the cystic acne after I put on a layer of the buffering lotion and leave it 20 minutes. After I wash it off I apply the buffing lotion again just as instructed. It dried out the acne flat in just 2 days. 

Texture is just like a regular Kaolin-based face mask and dries quickly. I also used this alone as a mask on my nose. Left it for 20 minutes and washed it off. The pores on my nose decreased greatly in size. So if you're the type who couldn't be bothered by holding your breath a couple of minutes, this is worth the try. Feels nice to have this on hand just in case an ugly breakout strikes back. This time I'm armed and ready! Recommended for oily skin as it can make dry skin worse (hence the name drying mask) :D

Have you tried any of these products? How did it work for you? I'd definitely like to know! :D

Till then,