Mario Badescu Peptide Renewal Cream and Serum – Photos and Review
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A Tale of Two Peptides by Mario Badescu
Youth serums and anti-aging creams are something I believe in. In a world over forty, I must. But with that belief comes a healthy little bit of incredulity. I have reason for both. Dramatic highs and lows of Dickensonian proportions can definitely be found in the world of anti-aging skin care. Yet there can be smooth sailing when an absolutely reliable name in the industry introduces a new product. Thank you Mario Badescu for introducing your new Peptide Renewal Serum and Peptide Renewal Cream, and for being that name to depend on.
Mario Badescu has been around since 1967, almost instantly becoming a heavy hitter in the skin care world. Mario has been somewhere in my medicine cabinet since my college days (a bottle of their uber-famous Drying Lotion has had a spot since freshman year) and today Mario Badescu’s Seaweed Cleansing Lotion and Seaweed Night Cream are constant. Everything Badescu I’ve ever used has been gentle and effective, some dramatically so, and always reasonably priced. These new Peptide products are no exception.
The Peptide Renewal Serum ($45) and the Peptide Renewal Cream ($35) are slightly more expensive than most of their products. Are they worth it? Mario Badescu’s products have always been botanically based and geared to specific skin types. The new Peptide products go a step further and specifically seek to improve the characteristics of aging skin such as wrinkles, sagging, uneven texture and dehydration. I’d say these products do it well.
The Peptide Renewal Serum uses chemical peptides (Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide) to fight wrinkles and lift sagging skin while using botanicals such as Nori (algae) extract, white willow bark, chamomile, yarrow and green tea to firm, clear, soothe, calm and heal skin while fighting off free radicals. Throw in some Hyaluronic Acid to improve moisture levels and you’ve got a potent product.
This serum is thick, clear, non-greasy, and is one of the few serums I’ve used that hasn’t caused a breakout. I’m in. I just apply a thin layer all over my face before bedtime (after washing and toning) and let the serum work its magic!
The Peptide Renewal Cream uses many of the same ingredients as the serum. Lighter in texture than the serum, I have used this fluffy, white cream in the day (although there is no SPF) while applying the serum at night. Though I can’t tell if my skin is firmer after only two weeks, I can see a big change in texture. It’s quite good for calming my skin.
Another thing that I like about Mario Badescu products is their clean packaging and simple labeling. Each product is stamped with a letter or letters (C-Combination, O-oily, D-dry, S-sensitive or ALL) to let you know if the product will work for you.
My sensitive skin was a happy match for the Peptide Renewal Serum (D, S) as well as the Peptide Renewal Cream (C, D, S). In this case, sensitive skin must trump oily in a big way.
Animal lovers like me will also like that their products are not tested on animals. It’s nice to know that in the best of times and the worst of times, our skin will never suffer. Thanks Mario!
we heartsters – Do you have a cosmetic brand that you know you can always depend on?
photos: we heart this
Sherri is co-author of What Would You Do With This Room?
skin tone: NC 25
skin type: oily/sensitive
favorite beauty product: anti-aging anything
So, you just pulled together Charles Dickens and Mario Badescu beautifully–I am now picturing Madame Defarge knitting away AND slathering her face with the Peptide Renewal serum, haha. Both of these products look great; I love the Badescu brand and agree that their products are super reliable.
Ha! Well, A Tale of Two Cities is the Dickens book I’ve read more times than any other! I do seriously love Mario Badescu, though. Every time I’m at Nordstroms a little Basdescu comes home with me.
ooh Mario Badescu! Love that line. I never knew about the letters specifying certain skin types were on the bottles. Talk about easy shopping! Great review @sherrishera!
The letter system does make things easy, but I’ve been known to cheat. If a product looks as though it would work for me but isn’t for oily or sensitive skin, I’ll still give it a try. I haven’t been disappointed. I forget what the last product like that was…maybe their creamy seaweed cleanser?
I love the sound of both of these products by Mario Badescu! It’s no surprise, because this line rocks! I can really see myself springing for the Peptide Renewal Cream! I’m a huge fan of the Vitamin C Serum already!
Great review @sherrishera!
Another big Badescu fan here! I have yet to try a product I don’t like. And the clean, pharmacy type look to the is soothing. Am I weirdo that packaging can soothe me? Don’t answer that.
Ooo, that serum is so fancy, with the eye dropper. (I love science-y beauty products. Plus, I bet you can get every drop out of that bottle, as opposed to a pump…)
I REALLY need a good anti-aging product, I haven’t found one that will work with my skin type yet. I’m adding this to the list to try!
I love the science-y packaging, too! It feels very old-time-y apothecarial (is that a word?).
Great review :)MAC is my go to for everything. My favorite lipgloss, I couldn’t live without their foundation, their eyeshadows are THE BOMB, and I’ve gotten addicted to their Mineralize Skin Finishes. Not to mention their Oil Control Lotion and Prep+Prime products are what I count on to get my skin back to normal.
I have only tried a few Mario products but have loved all of them. I have a hard time deciding what to try next because it all sounds so good. But I think that you have just convinced me with this review. I need to get my hands on these two gems.