What it is: Mario Badescu‘s Drying Cream.

Purpose: From the MB site…

“Drying Cream is an effective treatment to dry up small under the surface bumps and pimples. Just a few dabs smoothed on the erupted areas prevent pimples from getting larger and spreading out of control. Aloe rich cream conceals and heals erupted pimples.”

How I use it: After letting my moisturiser and/or primer sink in, I dab this onto any pimples (healing, coming to a head, or still in the “whitehead” stage!) with a fine-tipped concealer brush, the way I’d spot-apply any product. In the daytime, I then set it lightly with powder, and apply concealer overtop.

Why I love it: The main reason? This stuff works. Smells awful, but it works! I find that my skin responds very well to sulphur and clay based products (this being the former) as it can be quite sensitive and dry… basically, they get rid of the zit *almost* as fast as a peroxide- or salicylic-based treatment, without causing peeling or irritation. Personally, I think trading a week of peeling in for another day with your zit is a pretty good deal.

The added bonus: This formula goes on pretty opaque, which basically gives your concealer a “blank canvas” to work on, rather than a red dot. It colour-corrects, essentially! And, if you don’t want to apply concealer overtop, anyone with fair to medium skin could probably sheer this out and get away with using it alone. Envision UDPP or TFSI, but thicker. And smellier. But please (please!) keep it out of your eye area… if you blind yourself, it’s totally not my fault.The verdict? I think it’s probably pretty obvious by now, but I am formally recommending this to all of you! Seriously, I’m in love with this stuff. The only thing that could make it better is an affordable price — oh wait! It has that, too! (Sorry, I couldn’t help it. What can I say, I’m in a TV-commercial-joke mood right now!) It’s only $12 for 0.5oz, and you use just a tiny bit each time. LOVE.