Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (Spot Treatment)

This is a product I no longer use but can’t seem to throw away. I bought it last May and after using it for about a month I packed it away at the back of the cupboard. Funny thing is, I actually like this drying lotion; it is very effective. It dries up the pimple in a day or two.

I know what you’re thinking, “if it works so well why did you stop using it?”

Because it not only dries out the pimple, it dries out your skin too. This is especially problematic for someone with hyper-pigmentation like myself. The slightest trauma to the skin leaves a long-lasting dark spot.

Additionally, you only apply the solution at nights and it is not the prettiest look nor the nicest smell. It dries to a whitish-pink crust (if you have a few pimples you looks like a polka-dot cloth). It has a slight sulfur [sulphur] smell and you cannot wear foundation over it no matter how sparingly you applied it because it will flake.

Three small drops dried on the skin

So if you do not have problems with hyper-pigmentation and you are looking for a product to treat whiteheads and pimples give it try. But if you worry about dark spots, then I honestly do not think this is the right product for you.

My Skincare Routines for Oily/Combination Skin: Nightly Routine

My personal beauty rule; “Never go to bed with a dirty face”.

Pre-Cleanse: If I am wearing make-up I wipe it off with my Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes; these are my favorites because they are very refreshing and soothing (great treat after a long day).

*However, just about any moist towelette will do. I also use Neutrogena wipes, baby wipes, and even some good old-fashion Extra Virgin Olive Oil on a cotton pad; they all do the trick.

Cleanse: I wash my face with my Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel.

Exfoliate: While my face is still damp, I moisten a small amount of Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant with water, and I gently massage the paste onto my face.

*Pat dry with a clean towel*

Toner: I dampen a cotton pad with my Lancôme Softening Hydrating Toner, and wipe my entire face. The purpose of this is to get rid of any residue left on my face and to prepare my skin to receive the most out of the moisturizer and treatments to follow.

*I prefer non-alcoholic toners because for one, they do not make my face feel like it’s on fire and two, they do not dry out or irritate my skin.

Eye Care: While I give the toner a few seconds to absorb, I apply Estée Lauder Advance Night Repair Eye around my eye area.

Spot Treatment: I dab a small amount of The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil on my pimples as well as the area surrounding the pimple to prevent any more from forming.

Moisturize: I alternate between moisturizers. If I use the Body Shop Tea Tree Lotion tonight, tomorrow I’ll use the La Mer Moisturizing Lotion. I apply these to my oily areas; forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, and the tip of my chin.

Then I take the tiniest amount of Crème De La Mer between my fingertips, rub, then press it onto my dry areas; around my mouth and along my jawline.

Last but not least I apply my lip balm.

To see my Morning Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

To see my Weekly Routine for Oily/Combination Skin click here

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil – Best Acne Treatment “Possibly EVER?!”

This is the ONE!!!
The one product that has helped tremendously with my ongoing battle with adult acne.  It’s been 8 weeks since I added it to my daily regimen; applying it twice daily after cleansing. It’s been an entire month since I’ve had a pimple … YAY!!!

 At first I used it as a spot treatment only, but was so impressed that it was not drying out my skin but somehow was still zapping my zits, that I began applying it to my T-zone as a preventative measure. So slowly but surely my dark spots are starting to disappear and my skin looks healthy.

After 6 weeks of basically dousing my skin with the 15% tea tree oil formula twice daily, I moved on using the Tea Tree Clearing Lotion on my oily areas, and using the oil only on very specific areas of my face; my temples and the hollow of my cheeks.

Final word: It is an inexpensive product that leaves my oily/combination skin acne-free. However, neither the oil nor the lotion smells good, but hey, for these results I could live with that

So let me know if you have tried these products and whether they work for you too.