Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion | Non-Drying & Non-Irritating Facial Toner for Removing Excess Oil & Drying Up Breakouts | Revitalizing, Clarifying Astringent for Face Review
Our verdict
Mario Badescu's Special Cucumber Lotion is a longtime favorite for oily and combination skin, using cucumber extract to help control shine and refresh skin after cleansing. At $16 for 8 ounces, it's an affordable staple rather than a splurge.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Combination to oily skin types who want an affordable, cucumber scented toner to use after cleansing.
Skip if
You have dry or very sensitive skin, since this formula is aimed squarely at oil control rather than hydration.
- Priced 17% below the category median ($19.20 across 452 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 1,000 owner ratings
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Popularity3.9/5
1,000 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other women's everyday face care: moisturizers, face mists, facial kits, rollers, cleansing brushes and steamers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
['This toner comes in an 8 ounce, 236 milliliter bottle and is built around cucumber extract, an ingredient long associated with a fresh, refreshed feel on the skin. Mario Badescu markets it toward combination and oily skin types, meant to be swept over the face with a cotton pad after cleansing and before moisturizer.', "The formula is paraben free and cruelty free, and the brand describes it as an astringent that helps reduce buildup on the skin's surface. It carries a light cucumber scent rather than being fragrance free, so anyone sensitive to scent should keep that in mind.", 'With a 4.6 star average from about 1,000 reviews, this is one of the more established toners in its price range, and the consistency of that rating across a large review pool suggests it performs reliably for the skin types it targets.']
Pros
- Budget friendly at $16 for a full 8 ounce bottle
- Formulated specifically for combination and oily skin
- Paraben free and cruelty free
- Strong 4.6 star rating across roughly 1,000 reviews
- Light cucumber scent feels fresh without being overpowering
Cons
- Not designed for dry or sensitive skin types
- Contains fragrance, so it's not a fragrance free option
- Astringent formulas can feel drying if overused
Performance notes
The active ingredient here is cucumber extract, paired with an astringent base meant to sweep away residue and help control oil after cleansing. Because it's formulated for combination to oily skin, it's better suited to reducing shine than to adding hydration, and dry skin users may want to layer a richer moisturizer on top.
What buyers say
A 4.6 star average across roughly 1,000 reviews is a strong, stable signal for a toner at this price point, and a review pool this large means the rating is unlikely to be a fluke.
More from Brand
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Frequently asked questions
Is this toner good for acne prone skin?
It's formulated for oily and combination skin and is meant to help reduce oil buildup on the skin's surface. It may help with the look of breakouts as part of a full routine, but it isn't a medical treatment and shouldn't replace a dermatologist's advice for active acne.
Does it contain alcohol?
The listed specs don't call out an alcohol content, so check the product label directly if you're trying to avoid alcohol based astringents. The formula is paraben free and cruelty free.
How do I use this toner?
Most people apply it with a cotton pad after cleansing, wiping outward across the face, then follow with a moisturizer suited to their skin type.