Mario Badescu • Buffering Lotion • Treatments

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*TOP REVIEWER* blondebum on 5/5/2013 5:18:00 AM more reviews by blondebum

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Green    

When i first started using the buffering lotion i was thrown off because of the consistency of it. When applied to the skin it almost felt like a microdermabrasion exfoliating wash. There is a small granular type consistency that sits on the bottom of the bottle and that is what caused the solution to have that texture. It feel very smooth and the face and has a 'milky' feel to it. Buffering Lotion has dramatically cleared black heads and improved my skin appearance. I really love this stuff.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ColdFire on 5/5/2013 2:34:00 AM more reviews by ColdFire

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is the only topical treatment I've ever used that legitimately works to target cystic acne. Most other treatments make them come to a head, or worse, do nothing and the pimples just sit there. This one really does bring them down before they come to a head and make them hurt less, if you use it right when you notice them forming.
For me, this means using it every night, between stress and hormones I have at least one of these pimples forming or on its way out. I use about 5 drops for each section of my face (left cheek, right cheek, forehead, and then put the remainder on my chin and nose) as a preventative measure, and if that seems like a lot of product, it's really not. This bottle will last a long time. The pimples go down over about 4-5 days for me, but when they're gone, they're gone, and if you've ever had cystic acne, you know how valuable that is. There's a good amount of alcohol in it so it will dry your skin out, and you have to work it in quickly because the powder makes it dry in a strange texture if it just sits on top of your skin.
Overall I'd absolutely recommend this treatment if you have cystic acne, it's really worked for me.

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runswthscissors on 5/3/2013 10:56:00 AM more reviews by runswthscissors

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I've been using this for about a month on my chin and jawline for cystic pimples. Sometimes there are just 1 or 2 but a few weeks ago I had a full on breakout of probably 15-20 just around my chin and mouth. My friends love Mario Badescu products and I decided to give it a whirl since it's the only product I've ever seen targeted at cystic breakouts. I use it every day at least once without irritation. My breakouts have calmed down and the only new cyst that appeared while using this subsided within days instead of weeks. I still have spots/scars but not really bumps, and I plan on using AHA to reduce the scarring. I also started taking the Nature's Cure pills shortly after I started using this which was dumb because I'm not sure which one is working but I was desperate and my face looks better so I plan to keep up with both of them.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Annushka on 4/27/2013 8:31:00 AM more reviews by Annushka

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this product for the past night, and for today too (it is evening now).

i noticed a big difference when i woke up this morning; my pimples that needed to be popped (they had a little white head) HAD SHRUNK. id purposely left them to see if they would go down in size and they did.
i was so impressed, today i popped them and managed to also get a head out of a cystic spot, two in fact.
i put the buffering lotion over the two spots still spurting out the clear watery liquid that isnt pus, then also placed healing cream over them, and went to sleep for two hours. woke up to a completely BUMP FREE head. it has eliminated the "after bump" that normally stays for the next 18 hours after i have popped a cystic spot.

the product is a white liquid that needs to be shaken before use. it comes in a plastic bottle that has one of those 'precision' spouts for application, you just have to tip it and pour a little onto your fingers and it spreads to easily because it is a complete liquid.
when i did put this on my open wound (the pimple spot) it did sting but not too much.
i bought it on beatuybay.com for the price of $24-$18 i forgot how much exactly and i have also forgotten the size of the tube, though it is not more than 20ml for sure.
it is quite expensive compared to other pimple products such as clearasil and neautrogena but it is by far the most effective.
i would reccomend this to anyone who has problems with pimples and who pops their pimples and is looking for an effective treatment to lower the bumps. because i have only been using this two nights in a row (when it says on the bottle to use every other night) i cant comment on its ability to prevent future spots from occuring.

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alika88 on 4/9/2013 12:56:00 AM more reviews by alika88

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

I have those tiny bumps under the skin that doesn't surface. If I squeeze hard enough the pus will come out but it will ruin my skin and there are heaps of them all over my face. I decided to give this a go and within a couple of usage the bumps are going away. It can be abit drying but I rather have dry skin then those nasty bumps. It also helps cystic acne form to a white head so the pus can get out and heal. It has a strong alcohol scent but it will fade. I'm still using this and so far very impressed!

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hiphopdance5 on 3/26/2013 11:15:00 PM more reviews by hiphopdance5

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

Wow. So thankful that I found this product. While the packaging leaves something to be desired, I can deal with that in exchange for the product's efficacy. Though I am on acne medication, I still get those horrible face demons known as cystic pimples. Nothing and I mean NOTHING will help those monsters. Benzoyl peroxide and salasylic acid are pointless and only make it worse. However, this buffering lotion works miracles for me. I have three of those buggers on my face right now and I put this stuff on last night...two of them, which were a little smaller, are literally gone. The other, which was quite bigger and redder, is still there but at about half the size it was last night. I do remember that this stuff stopped working for me after awhile so I don't know if my skin built up a resistance to it or what but for the most part, it is the best thing I have ever tried to get rid of my cystic pimples. Believe me, I am THE bargain shopper and $18 dollars for one product would usually pain me, but when I know something is worth it, I'll make the investment. The Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion is definitely worth it!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* missmanic on 3/18/2013 10:31:00 PM more reviews by missmanic

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Black, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This really helps with my skin. It's not a miracle worker, but I notice a difference. My skin isn't all that bad aside from the cystic spots I get during my hormonal fluctuations, but I'm prone to those little under the skin bumps. This really helps me with that. My skin's clarity is much better when usuing this. It even helps a bit with the cysts. I can use this all over my face, every night, without irritation. It feels moisteruzing and I can use this with or without a moisturizer underneath. I've gone through a few bottles and I will repurchase. It lasts forever, too!

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phunkybtch on 3/9/2013 8:00:00 PM more reviews by phunkybtch

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

LOVE! let me start by descibing the kind of acne i have- my skin is fairly clear... the bumps i get are under the skin and you can't really see them but whenever i look close in the mirror they are white/blackhead type acne.. so i mess with them, trying to get the stuff out, which turns them into HUGE, RED cystic bumps that can't be popped. first time i used this lotion i could tell a difference overnight. it get rid of what i wanted it to within 2 1/2 days... it's helped keep my breakouts under control and stops anything from forming. ONE complaint- it's a weird texture. almost straight liquid... wish it was more solid so applying it would be easier, but it's not that big of a deal

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LolaMay on 2/7/2013 10:49:00 AM more reviews by LolaMay

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I was hopeful for this because I was desperate to try to at least calm my cystic acne. I didn't expect miracles because my acne is hormonal, but I got no results from this. I have oily, acne-prone skin (hormonal, cystic acne). My acne is a constant hormonal, which means that I have it all the time, not just when I get my period. I used this consistently every night after fully cleansing my face. Unfortunately this did nothing to decrease the amount of time of the cystic acne, decrease painfulness or size or frequency of breakouts.
I also did not like the packaging because if too much dropped out of the dropper then it would get all over the bottle, and it could be hard to control the amount.

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nanamoo on 2/6/2013 10:47:00 PM more reviews by nanamoo

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

Purchased this ~4 months ago to use on cystic acne. Haven't tried this on other types of acne, so I'm not sure how effective it is.
For me, this product hasn't been very effective consistently. I've used it on both large, painful, inflamed nodules and the under-the-surface stuff that lurks beneath the skin but hasn't quite come out yet. For the most part (so far as I noticed), it hasn't reduced the size of the pimples or relieved any pain/redness or helped heal any quicker.

As for the ingredients, the MB website touts the acne-fighting powers of Vitamin B and herbal extracts....not sure about their efficacy... It also contains niacinamide. My sunscreen contains this stuff as well, but I don't think it does much for my acne. If you have had success with niacinamide products in the past, I imagine the buffering lotion would be a much better choice for you.

I found the product to be rather expensive, though I expect it will last a decently long time.

Other than that, I haven't had any adverse reactions to it. I have mild acne and my skin is not sensitive.

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Lapiz on 12/23/2012 9:27:00 PM more reviews by Lapiz

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

So I've only used this for two days in a row but I had to write a review about how this RUINED my skin. In only 2 days! That's got to be some sort of record. I'm so upset because my skin been wonderful up until this product. Just wanted it to take care of a little resistant under-the-skin blemish on my cheek and today my entire cheek is blemished, irritated, dry, red, and just overall very angry and I'm sad.
The product looks like 90% rubbing alcohol and 10% zinc, so it's probably too harsh for me. I'm glad it worked for some people, but if you've got sensitive combination skin sensitive to dryness, try this at your own risk!

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JavariaK on 12/21/2012 11:01:00 AM more reviews by JavariaK

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

Amazing product!
The key is to use it at night and applying it onto the acne spots directly, almost like a spot treatment. It does smell like rubbing alcohol but the smell doesn’t last long. I purchased this when my acne erupted all over my face and merged it with various other MB products.
Apply this to a cleansed face, concentration specifically on the problem acne spots.
For cystic acne I found it took a night or two for the effects to kick in how ever it really does work. The size of the cyst will reduce as will the pain (for those who have deep cysts).
I found this product was a key component in clearing up my acne. Will continuously repurchase.

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LadyVLO on 11/27/2012 2:13:00 AM more reviews by LadyVLO

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I typically suffer from one cystic pimple a year, however, this year has been an exception. Since becoming pregnant & having hormone changes like I've never imagined I've been cursed with a few of them. I've recently (within the last 3-4 days) became dedicated to this drying lotion morning & night (morning under my make up & night under my Origins Clear Improvement mask) and although it isn't gone it does appear to be reducing in size. I'm confident one of these mornings I will wake up & it (I'm lucky to only have one right now...knock on wood) will be completely gone. I will repurchase this although such a small amount is needed I probably won't need to. I do recommend it because its the only treatment I've found geared towards cystic pimples short of a cortisone injection which isn't recommended during pregnancy.
*****UPDATE*****
Shortly after writing this review, I decided it was taking too long to go away so I did the unthinkable & popped it. Although I'm dealing with the scarring, I chose the less of the two evils. After I popped it I treated with Mario Badescu Drying Lotion which seemed to help heal it once it was "opened".

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

reesestar on 11/19/2012 12:54:00 AM more reviews by reesestar

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Olive, Warm   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I've had the worst acne ever. I would open my mouth at times and my cystic acne would explode. It was painful and embarrassing. I'd go to department store counters and dermatologists and nothing worked, EVER. I actually found out about Mario Badescu through this website and now I feel forever indebted. I only went through one bottle before I saw serious improvements. My skin was so irritated and dry from medications and I was still so oily.. This product did not overdry me or make me more sensitive which I was also mega grateful for. I now work in the beauty industry and I tell everyone I come across about this wonder product. If cystic acne is a concern at all of yours, please save yourself time and money and invest in this treatment!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

SNEAKYSNAKE on 9/23/2012 9:40:00 AM more reviews by SNEAKYSNAKE

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Works wonders for the hormone related breakouts around the chin area. I threw my prescription for clindamycin gel away after finding this! Only complaint is packaging. Been using it for a year and have recommended to several friends who also feel that it is a miracle worker!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

YWMCC on 9/6/2012 11:49:00 AM more reviews by YWMCC

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

I love this product. Brought it without any research, I am desperate to fix my acne problem on my cheek. i apply this every night twice. once after cleaning lotion and before the serum and once after the night cream dries before I go to bed.
I found this product has helped the most compare to the countless spot treaments that I've used over the years. For someone who absolutely had no acne problem throgh my teen year and only started to exprience acne in the late 20s. this product works for me.
It's reasonable priced but the package is horrible. I wish Mario Badescu can come up with a more innovative package!

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gandangnatural on 8/27/2012 4:44:00 AM more reviews by gandangnatural

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight   Eyes: Black    

This and the drying lotion are the only Mario Badescu products that worked on me. This works great on deep cystic pimple. it doesn't make it go away overnight but eventually it will.. it's a bit drying but nothing really bad. The only problem is the price, its expensive.

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BerniA on 8/23/2012 2:05:00 AM more reviews by BerniA

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Like a few other have stated, it doesn't work miracles--or at least it doesn't for me--but I have noticed my cystic pimples decreasing in size over time. It takes a loooong while though. I've been using this for almost two months now and the cysts on my left are almost all the way down, while my right is still pretty bumpy (but I tend to sleep on that side so that might be why). It seems pretty "gentle" if you could call it that, in that it doesn't seem to make my skin itch or anything. It does cause a little dryness, but nothing too bad. I don't really like the squeeze tube. If I try to drop it onto the zits on my chin it always runs down and I apply too much. I get better control applying with a cotton swab, but I feel like it wastes a bit of the product too, absorbing into the swab. I guess that means I wish it was more of a thicker consistency, but eh... oh well.

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*TOP REVIEWER* GlamDiva on 8/7/2012 3:45:00 PM more reviews by GlamDiva

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Other, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Specially designed to treat deep, cystic blemishes. Shake the bottle well, apply to zits as a spot treatment at bedtime, and blemishes resolve for me 2-3 times faster than they would with any other treatment I've ever used over the years. Will definitely repurchase if I ever finish this bottle.

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Lecitroen on 5/13/2012 11:41:00 PM more reviews by Lecitroen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I did the unthinkable, I extracted a pimple with my hands. Next thing I know a cystic pimple arrives. Learned my lesson! I was desperate to reduce it so I purchased the Buffering Lotion, since it is specifically made for cystic acne. I applied the lotion and it reduced the pain and stopped it from growing. It has been about 2 weeks(yes, a long time), but this has helped with the healing. Faced with the other option, of seeing it get massive and painful, I am ok with this route. It is about 90% smaller and I feel like I might escape scarring.

I have also been applying it to small patches of small pimples. None of them have become bigger. For now, I am happy with this product. I might try another acne product from MB my skin needs something else.

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