Mario Badescu Corrective Complex Emulsion

Mario Badescu Corrective Complex Emulsion
5.5
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
1.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity

Review

Does Mario Badescu Corrective Complex Emulsion work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Mario Badescu Corrective Complex Emulsion:

  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.5 out of 10.

Lightweight moisturizer ideal for oily skin and a humectant boost for any skincare routine

According to CreamScan analysis, Mario Badescu Corrective Complex Emulsion is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.5 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 1.0 out of 10 and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈4.0%), Urea (est. ≈3.0%) and Saccharide Isomerate (est. ≈2.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, offering significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula with a minimal amount of occlusive ingredients. It’s also a great choice for people with normal skin who prefer lightweight moisturizers.

Such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Mario Badescu Corrective Complex Emulsion has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Cyclopentasiloxane
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Urea
Function:
Origin:
Saccharide Isomerate
Function:
Origin:
Dimethiconol
Function:
Origin:
Stearic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Function:
Origin:
Oligopeptide-5
Function:
Origin:
Pollen Extract
Function:
Origin:
Cetearyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Glycolipids
Function:
Origin:
Collagen
Function:
Origin:
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract
Function:
Origin:
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Hyaluronic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Polyquaternium-24
Function:
Origin:
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
Function:
Origin:
Cymbopogon Citratus Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Ceteareth-20
Function:
Origin:
Carbomer
Function:
Origin:
Phenyl Trimethicone
Function:
Origin:
Lecithin
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone
Function:
Origin:
Triethanolamine
Function:
Origin:
Methylparaben
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Citrate
Function:
Origin:
Propylparaben
Function:
Origin:
Diazolidinyl Urea
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
11.4
4
3
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
1.9
1.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 11.4 10
10.0
4
3
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 1.9 20
1.0
1.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
4
3
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 11.4 10
10
All humectants
11.4
4
3
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
1.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 1.9 20
1.0
All occlusives
1.9
1.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.9 3 No
All antioxidants
0.9
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract
0.3
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract
0.3
Hyaluronic Acid
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
All soothing 0.3 5 No
All soothing
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Cyclopentasiloxane
Est. %6
Function
Origin
CyclopentasiloxaneA lightweight, fast-spreading emollient that leaves a very soft and silky after-feel on the skin. Supplied as a clear and colorless liquid, cyclopentasiloxane is often used as a solvent to dissolve other silicones in.
Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Urea
Est. %3
Function
Origin
UreaUrea can be found in urine, skin, and other tissues as a degradation product of proteins. In concentrations below 5%, urea is humectant moisturizing. At concentrations above 10% it is keratolytic, that helps to break away old, flaking, and cracked skin.
Saccharide Isomerate
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Saccharide IsomerateA naturally-derived humectant that provides moisturization at low levels and is less sticky than other humectants like glycerin.
Dimethiconol
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
DimethiconolA synthetic dimethicone with rich, non-tacky emolliency. It features the typical sensorial profile of silicones, with high spreadability and a luxurious, oil-free after-feel. Dimethiconol can also serve as an antifoaming agent.
Stearic Acid
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Stearic AcidA saturated fatty acid found in vegetable butter and animal fats. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient and also helps to maintain the barrier function of the skin.
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Oligopeptide-5
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Oligopeptide-5
Pollen Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pollen Extract
Cetearyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cetearyl AlcoholA blend of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, the fatty alcohols that are derived from palm oil. It helps to create emulsions that give off a soft and silky emollient feel and also increase product thickness.
Propylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Glycolipids
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
GlycolipidsVarious lipids combined with one or more sugars. It can be used as an emulsifier or a very gentle cleanser.
Collagen
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CollagenA protein that builds all human tissues, especially skin and joints. It is used as a moisturizing humectant ingredient in skincare.
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed ExtractAn antioxidant, soothing, and wound healing extract derived from soybeans. Soybeans are a famous source of phytoestrogens - plant compounds that have a similar effect to steroid hormones.
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit ExtractAn antioxidant extract derived from olives. It contains promising anti-aging Oleuropein and prospective anti-pigment Cornoside.
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Hyaluronic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hyaluronic Acid

A potent, skin-identical humectant moisturizing ingredient that is able to bind water 1000 times its own weight. The anti-aging benefits of hyaluronic acid are due to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of collagen in the skin.

Polyquaternium-24
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyquaternium-24
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ ExtractAn emollient extract obtained from the germ part of the wheat grain. It contains proteins, fatty acids, vitamins E and B, as well as various other antioxidants. It has been claimed to have anti-pigment activity.
Cymbopogon Citratus Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cymbopogon Citratus Extract
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid CopolymerA synthetic humectant moisturizer often paired with glycerin. It also functions as a viscosity-controlling agent that creates gel-like formulas with thicker textures.
Ceteareth-20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ceteareth-20A fatty alcohol emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water together, best for oil-in-water emulsions. It is also a cleansing agent. When combined with cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20 forms a mix that, according to acne.org, can be comedogenic.
Carbomer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CarbomerA synthetic ingredient with the ability to gel water. When used in emulsions, such as lotions and creams, carbomer can also act as an emulsion stabilizer.
Phenyl Trimethicone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Phenyl TrimethiconeA silicone fluid that is used as an occlusive moisturizer. It applies smoothly to the skin and reduces the tack associated with organic oils.
Lecithin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LecithinA humectant, emollient, and emulsifier best suited for water-in-oil emulsions. Lecithin can come from sunflowers, soy, and eggs. The downside to lecithin is that it causes an extra burden on the formula’s preservative because it is nutritious.
Dimethicone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
DimethiconeThe most common silicone in skincare. It forms a silky, smooth film on the skin’s surface and can help to prevent water loss. It also aids in wound healing and can treat and soften scars. Dimethicone is considered to be very safe for use.
Triethanolamine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
TriethanolamineA clear, colorless, and highly viscous liquid, this ingredient is an excellent pH adjuster. When it is necessary to neutralize an acidic solution or to generally increase the pH of a product, triethanolamine is a common choice.
Methylparaben
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MethylparabenA preservative that keeps a product unspoiled. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding parabens, although the concentrations found in cosmetic formulations are generally considered to be safe.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Sodium Citrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium CitrateA salt of citric acid that has a salty and tart flavor and is used as a fragrance. It is mildly basic, meaning that its addition to a skincare product can adjust the pH upward.
Propylparaben
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PropylparabenA preservative that keeps a product unspoiled. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding parabens, although the concentrations found in cosmetic formulations are generally considered to be safe.
Diazolidinyl Urea
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Diazolidinyl UreaA synthetic preservative that is effective against most common bacteria. It is not considered broad-spectrum because it does not act against any type of yeast or mold. It is therefore commonly paired with antifungal preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.