Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion

Where I got it

I picked this up from Mecca Maxima in Sylvia Park as I am desperate for a solution for my pesky hormonal acne around my jawline that started creeping out about 2 months ago. I have had acne problems during my teenage years, but they are usually pimples around the face, rather than full-on acne all over the face. Adult acne took over and like to congregate on my jawline and chin area. I have it sort of under control for at least a year or so, they do come and go during the time of the month, but it hasn’t been this bad (I blame Covid19 for stress).

Anywho, I picked up their Drying Lotion about a week ago and when I went into Mecca again, I thought I could pick this one up as well, maybe to use during the day. This isn’t the first time I’ve used this product, but I have found it quite difficult to apply because this is literally sulfur powder suspended in liquid alcohol, it runs everywhere.

This product is $34, and they seem to be always not available online from Mecca, you have to visit their store.

What I got

This is the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion (29ml). Specifically designed to treat deep, cystic blemishes, this sulfur-based solution quickly absorbs into the skin and treats the source of deeply rooted pimples. Formulate with soothing ingredients including allantoin and niacinamide, this lightweight solution works overnight to re-balance skin and improve the look of troubled areas.

Ingredients: Isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, zinc oxide, hydrolyzed yeast protein, stearalkonium hectorite, isopropyl myristate, niacinamide, panthenol, pyridoxine HCL, glycerin, allantoin, biotin, propylene carbonate, phenoxyethanol, chlorphenesin, potassium sorbate, methylparaben, disodium EDTA.

Check out this blog post on Mario Badescu for which product to use for your blemish concerns – What’s the Difference Between Drying Lotion, Drying Cream & Buffering Lotion?

How I find it

I finally figured out the best way to use this after I had a bad go with my previous bottle. Because this is to treat deep, cystic acne, they don’t really have a head and most of my breakouts are in clusters, I just drop them directly onto the area of concern. I don’t spot treat. I did read that you can spot treat with a cotton tip, but I think all the products would just be absorbed into the cotton tip instead of going onto my skin.

I typically use this after cleansing and a bit of hydrating toner. I literally drop the product to my jawline area by tilting my head to one side. I then pat the product onto my skin with fingertips. This product is high in alcohol so you can definitely smell it and feel it. It dries down super fast and doesn’t leave any white powdery residue. I tend to use this 3 days in a row and then I stop for 3 days because I don’t want the drying effects of the alcohol on my skin for the entire week. These work so well on my hormonal breakout clusters which are really annoying and bumpy.

Overall

Absolutely loving this now I know how to use it properly. It really works on my problem areas and it works fast as well. It doesn’t really prevent breakouts coming, but it helps to dry it out and calm it down when it does appear. I also like Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion for any breakouts that have a head because that stuff works wonders as well!