Mario Badescu • Alpha-Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion • Toners

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lindseychristine on 4/23/2013 12:34:00 AM more reviews by lindseychristine

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I love, love, love this product.

My skin is really sensitive but creates new skin rather quickly -- so exfoliation is a must for me. However, any type of exfoliator aside from my facial brush is far too course and I break out.

I love this toner because the AHA exfoliates just enough. I ran out of it one week and my skin started breaking out.

This product is a must in my skin care regime!

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cityskin on 3/22/2013 5:37:00 PM more reviews by cityskin

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I usually love Mario Badescu, but this product is one exception. I bought this with the intention of gently exfoliating but all it did was leave a mildly sticky residue and a smell of old lady (no offense) perfume. I looked at the ingredients, and noticed grapefruit was listed at the end. I don't know how much of it went in to the bottle, but I didn't notice this 'exfoliation' that it claims. It made my skin more dull looking. Maybe my skin is used to glycolic. So I exchanged it for the Seaweed Cleansing Lotion and am really happy with it. Although it's too gentle (imo) to exfoliate, it removes all the dirt and makeup left behind (and I know this by the dirt and makeup on my cotton pad); this is something Alpha-Grapefruit failed to do.

I still love Mario Badescu, just not this product. I rotate my Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner and Seaweed Ceansing Lotion.

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sanduhra on 12/31/2012 1:49:00 PM more reviews by sanduhra

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Medium   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

A MB SA recommended this to me when I told her that the Glycolic Toner was causing dryness/sensitivity. I now use this about 5 days out of the week - twice a day - and it is great. As others before me have noted, it just normalizes the skin. It also does a great job removing the rest of the stuff my cleanser failed to pick up (I use a Clarisonic, too!). I skipped toning for several years, but I'm so glad I picked it up again. It doesn't break me out, it doesn't leave a residue, and my skin feels very fresh after using this. I also love the mild scent. WIN.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Sarasotagirl on 12/27/2012 12:21:00 PM more reviews by Sarasotagirl

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

A reasonably priced toner that makes my dry, sensitive skin smooth and silky after cleansing -- proving that not all toners are superfluous.



I received this as a sample after filling out the questionnaire at mariobadescu.com. I told them that my skin was dry, sensitive and generally dull (I'm DSPW in Baumann terminology). They recommended this as a follow to the Orange Cleansing Soap, which I love and have reviewed.



I'm old enough to remember two phases in the Great Toner Debate: the first, when a toner was a MUST (Clinique had entered the world's consciousness), and the backlash, when magazine after magazine insisted, solemnly, that a toner was all hype. Modern cleansers do not need a toner! I stopped using them (baa, baa).



Mario Badescu is old-school skincare, so they never dropped the toner step. And now I remember why the right toner can make a difference: This one is water-and-aloe based, so it doesn't dry me out. But it also has mild AHAs, which seem to keep my flakies at bay while helping my moisturizer glide on smoothly and work better. In other words, the extra step is worth it.



No-frills packaging in an easy-to-squeeze plastic bottle with a dispenser cap. $15 for 8 ounces. Light citrus scent.


Ingredients: Deionized Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Seaweed Extract,Lemon Extract, Grapefruit Extract

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*TOP REVIEWER* cgw1 on 10/14/2012 11:54:00 PM more reviews by cgw1

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Will be returning this product. Clogged my pores. I don't like the smell either. Extremely useless for me. My skin condition deteriorated quickly after using this and the enzyme cleanser. Would not recommend for sensitive skin.

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*TOP REVIEWER* audrey355 on 8/25/2012 1:43:00 AM more reviews by audrey355

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Good toner for the skin. Alcohol free and worked well in my T zone.

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mianga on 4/6/2012 11:03:00 AM more reviews by mianga

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I have combination to oily skin and this toner works wonderfully for me. I got it to help reduce acne scarring and help brighten my complexion, which, though not dramatic (and difficult to tell as I use several products for this), it certainly doesn't hurt. Most importantly, it is not drying, does not sting, smells great, and feels freshening on the skin without leaving my face tight.

I use different toners depending on how my skin is doing on a given day, and this has been the one I reach for the most, beating out the (also nice) Time Balm one I have, and my Clinique step 1 toner, which gets virtually no love now, and I don't know if I will even bother finishing it.

Going to try the seaweed toner as well, and we'll see how it goes...

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aureliationg on 12/2/2011 1:51:00 AM more reviews by aureliationg

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

I'd been using this for a while now, but changed to Sk-II lotion and i noticed my skin wasn't as clear and jnclogged as before. I just recieved a new bottle of MB Alpha-grapefruit lotion and i am NEVER CHANGING TONERS EVER AGAIN!!!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Angeldoll on 11/25/2011 9:26:00 AM more reviews by Angeldoll

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I am really enjoying this toner along with the seaweed toner.
When I am feeling more oily or congested I use this toner and when Im feeling more dry I use the seaweed toner after I use the enzyme cleansing gel. I like this toner because it balances my skin after cleansing and seems to brighten and clarify somewhat without drying. I have combo/acne prone sensitive skin that is dehydrated especially in the winter time.
Update feb 2013: I'm still using and loving this toner. I use it in the AM along with b.kamins replenishing cleanser and my skin feels balanced, clarified and glowing.

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*TOP REVIEWER* jessical5183 on 3/25/2011 5:38:00 PM more reviews by jessical5183

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

Love this stuff. Hmmmm, I don't know that I'd say it does much, but it's what it doesn't do that I love, which is that it doesn't break me out. I stumbled upon Mario Badescu's products years ago when I was desperate to try new things to treat my out-of-control acne, and I've been hooked on their line ever since. This is just one of the many Mario Badescu products I've used for years and have grown to love.

It never breaks me out, which is #1 most important to me when reviewing any product. It is very soothing and calming as it claims to be. I am quite religious these days about making sure that my face is deep-cleaned at night, so sometimes once I've removed my makeup and cleansed my skin, it can be left feeling a bit raw. This toner ALWAYS restores the balance back to my skin and makes it feel refreshed.

It will never do anything for your face aesthetically, meaning, it won't change the appearance of your skin. But it's great for those of you who need to restore the pH balance back to your face.

I dunno. Maybe I could remove this from my regimen without missing it, but I just love it too much and it's always been a pleasant step each night as I'm preparing for bed. It's gentle and refreshing, and feels like an old friend. Nothing spectacular, but dependable. I will continue to use it for a long time.

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Stare_Girl on 1/21/2011 12:51:00 PM more reviews by Stare_Girl

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I'm surprised this doesn't have a higher rating. I LOVE this toner!! I was using the Seaweed Cleansing Lotion by MB religiously, but wanted to try something new, and thought the citris would be beneficial for me. It smells wonderful - citrisy and clean. And does not leave me with uncomfortable tight skin, it just feels normalized. I also follow with the Honey Moisturizer in the morning, or the Orange Protective Cream at night. My skin has been feeling so soft and smooth, something that had been hard to achieve since the winter hit. I think this is great for anyone suffering from acne and/or scarring, and great for dry skin (from weather or harsh cleansing). Definitely recommend this!

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Brittany123 on 8/1/2010 10:59:00 PM more reviews by Brittany123

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This product does not clean as well as Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner. I don't really like the smell. It feels a bit sticky on my face. Overall, I'd not purchase again.

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mourbans on 6/18/2010 9:34:00 PM more reviews by mourbans

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

LOVE this product!! i have very dry and flaky skin especially around my t-zone and all this congestion causes breakouts, even with regular exfoliation. ever since i started using this product 3 weeks ago, i have no more flaky skin, my breakouts have completely cleared up, and i find my skin looks amazing even without makeup!! only downfall is spending $40 on a toner, but its a price I'm happy to pay for what its done to my skin. Will definitely be purchasing this again, along with the glycolic acid toner. definitely recommend this product to anyone with congested skin.

update: been using it for almost two months now alternating between this and the glycolic toner...i have not had a single breakout for the last month using this twice a day, stil no flakey skin, and my skin tone is even enough to not wear any makeup... =D...HG product for sure..

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*TOP REVIEWER* AllAboutMe83 on 10/19/2009 10:22:00 PM more reviews by AllAboutMe83

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight   Eyes: Green    

This toner is gentle, natural and simple. It works well and it contains 5 simple ingredients water, lemon, seaweed, aloe and grapefruit.
Just that alone makes me want to use it more and more.

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nursesc on 8/21/2009 4:10:00 PM more reviews by nursesc

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I Liked this as a gentle toner. I have sensitive skin and this didnt bother it at all. I probably wouldnt buy it again because it doesnt do too much (i think becasue it doesnt have alcohol..but thats the whole point of a genter toner) I use the aloe one now though and i bought the glycolic one too. That way i can alternate between one with and one without a toner based on what my skin needs.

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mooks06 on 8/5/2009 7:50:00 PM more reviews by mooks06

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Three words: EXPENSIVE ORANGE WATER. Didn't like this at all, I have now finished my bottle and will not repurchase. It didn't do anything negative to my skin, it just didn't do anything at all! Too pricey for a product that doesnt deliver. Id rather buy a $4 bottle of witch hazel.

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agentasuka on 4/1/2009 12:31:00 AM more reviews by agentasuka

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this toner. I always HATED toners because they burned/dried up my face, but this is very gentle. I've been using for maybe a week and haven't noticed miracle results, but I'm in love with the scent! Also, I feel nice and clean and not dried out after use. I like to keep the sample bottle on me in my purse with a little cotton pad to freshen up when i feel oily. Just all around a nice toner. Probably not vital to my regimen but still feels good and pampering.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mapn on 2/17/2009 5:59:00 AM more reviews by mapn

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I've used two generous samples of this toner and really liked it. Firstly, the scent is very fresh and definitely not too strong. I like it that it doesn't contain any other artificial fragrances. Secondly, it does what I expect a toner to do, which is to finalise my cleansing routine without irritating my sensitive skin. And thirdly, I think it somewhat tightens my pores, which is a plus. Would buy again.



Ingredients:

Deionized Water, Aloe Extract, Seaweed Extract, Lemon Extract, Grapefruit Extract.

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Annalina on 2/1/2009 5:14:00 PM more reviews by Annalina

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Black    

This toner does the job for me, doesn't leave my skin feeling tight and dries quickly on the skin with no sticky feel afterward. Smells fresh and leaves my skin feeling that way too.

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rosemont85 on 1/3/2009 11:40:00 PM more reviews by rosemont85

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I tried the sample of this toner and I just don't think it does anything...at all. You'd most likely get better results rubbing an actual piece of grapefruit or lemon on your face daily and rinsing it off rather than applying this stuff. It's difficult to find beneficial toners that are also alcohol-free so I'm beginning to believe toners in general just aren't worth using.

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