I’ve been suffering from breakouts for severals months now, particularly when I’m riding the crimson wave. I needed something that would curb the zits that sprout on my chin and nose. For some reason, Garnier’s Pure Active Anti-Spot Roll On doesn’t cut it anymore. I’d be rolling that pen on my skin three times a day and it still did not get the results I desired. Damn pimples just wouldn’t go down.
I needed something stronger. A whole lot stronger.
For the past few months, I’ve been using a couple of zit-busting products that have delivered the results I wanted, and they are Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion and The Jojoba Company’s Spot-On Pimple Treatment. How did they fare against each other? Which do I prefer?
Read on, my pretties.
Description:
The Drying Lotion is a fast acting, effective acne spot treatment. Formulated with salicylic acid, calamine and other quick-drying ingredients, this product will shrink ugly whiteheads virtually overnight while you sleep. While other acne spot treatments can irritate and dry delicate or sensitive skin, this product is safe and effective for all skin types.
- I bought this after reading reviews from several beauty bloggers. Consensus was that this works a treat on pimples, and dries them up faster than salted fish.
- This reminds me of calamine lotion. It even looks like calamine lotion, especially when you’ve given it a shake.
- However, you’re not supposed to use it like calamine lotion. This means that you cannot shake this when you want to use it.
- Make sure that the liquid and the clay is separated when you dip your cotton swab in. Swirl it around the clay, making sure you get most of it on the cotton swab. Apply to affected areas. It dries up fairly quickly.
- It’s an effective treatment for drying up pimples, but sweet Lord, this lotion STINKS. As in, pungent, gag-inducing, need-to-hold-your-breath-lest-you-hurl stinkbomb. The smell is really overwhelming. I have to hold my breath everytime I use this because I just couldn’t take the very strong scent. One time, it brought up bile in my mouth. True story.
- RRP AU$48.95 for 30ml
The Jojoba Company Spot-On Pimple Treatment
Description:
A mineral rich formulation to target individual spots. Combines zinc sulphate to help dry excess oil and a high performance formulation of silicas, zeolite and ivory clay, vitamin C rich Kakadu plum, green tea, vitamin E and the extraordinary rejuvenating properties of manuka, lavender and juniper essential oils. Not tested on animals.
- This was sent to me for trial. I was very glad for the opportunity because I needed to find something that would be just as effective as the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion that doesn’t make me want to throw up every time I use it.
- The Spot-On Pimple Treatment is a clay-based cream. It dries very quickly on the skin.
- I’m not going to lie to you. This does not smell good either. It smells a little like rotten eggs, which gets stronger the more you spread the cream on your skin.
- RRP AU$24.95 for 25ml
Mario Badescu vs The Jojoba Company. Who wins?
Unblended
Blended
I think you will need to smell both and see which one scent you can resist. There’s no way around it. MB’s Drying Lotion tends to dry pimples out slightly quicker, but it’s strong stuff. You would only need very, very little of the product to go on affected areas. The Spot-On Pimple Treatment takes an extra day for zits to dry up. The formula for the latter is not as strong, which I believe would suit sensitive skin.
Price-wise, if both products were purchased in Australia, then the Jojoba Company one would be a lot cheaper. I purchased the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion from Kiss and Makeup NY. Including shipping of US$18 (assuming that I did not purchase any other products with it), it comes up to about US$35.
Personally, I prefer the Jojoba Company’s Spot-On Pimple Treatment. I like that it’s not as strong as Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. I can also deal with the scent, which I cannot with MB’s very pungent one. However, if I need to look my best tomorrow and somehow my skin decides to break out, then it’s Mario Badescu to the rescue as it eradicates the zit quicker. If not, then I’m sticking with the Jojoba Company’s Spot-On treatment.
Have you tried any of these products before? What’s your go-to pimple buster? Oh, and if you also know of any DIY pimple treatments (preferably not toothpaste), do share with us!
I’ve been using the MB’s drying lotion and it works just fine. I’m glad I can stand the smell, as it goes off after a while. I usually apply it just before bed. The only complain I have is that I cant use that during the day because it looks awful, else, it’s a keeper for me!
I wonder how the “rotten egg”smell of the jojoba pimple cream is cos my bottle of drying lotion is finishing soon!
Eunice: Yeah, definitely can’t use this during the day. Can’t use the Jojoba Company one during the day either, because it will look just as obvious as MB’s. It’s a very good thing you can stand the smell. It’s just far too overwhelming for me 🙁
I used to use Mario Badescu too… I actually much prefer their buffering lotion coz I get really bad cystic acne during TToTM (sucks, I know). Now I prefer to use the blue light to curb oil and prevent pimples! It’s a little pricey as the ‘startup’ cost is high, but I can use it regularly. The light also comes with red LED bulbs to help stimulate collagen production.
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Daphne: Ahh something like the Baby Quasar? I’m quite tempted to get one of those thingamabobs for my skin, but am afraid I’d use it for a month, get lazy and stop using it 😛
I think if you don’t get pimples regularly, the red light might be good since it rejuvenates the skin. I used to do phototherapy regularly at my ex-derm for pimples and he uses red light for me so that the skin cells turnover faster and I have glowy skin. When I first got my device, I was very into it, using it daily. Then as usual, I got lazy and stopped. But I’ve started using it again recently after 1 year of non-usage. It’s not something that has an expiry date so it’s ok for me. 😉
However, I’m now tempted to get a panel of lights instead of the handheld one… think it’s faster and less hassle! 😛
The Jojoba Company’s product looks more skin friendly cos the first ingredient in Mario Badescu looks threatening enough so no wonder it dries up quickly. I think MB’s product can only be used sparingly.
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Sesame: Yeah, definitely have to use MB sparingly, if not for the ingredients then definitely for the strong smell. Jojoba Company one works better for me, that’s for sure. MB stings the skin.
If you buy directly from Mario Bedescu you get free shipping on everything and free samples of their products. I only paid $18….and the smell is not strong at all. Love this product!
Gina: Oooh that’s not bad! Thanks for the tip, I’ll check out the website now 🙂
jojoba one is on my face as we speak and I am gagging from the smell! How do people put this on there faces!
These are times when I wish beauty companies will add fragrance to mask the horrid smell. >.<