There are few things more frustrating than going to bed with clear skin and waking up with a zit on your face. No matter how much concealer we use, it still seems visible from outer space! It’s usually not recommended that you pop it, especially when you can dry it out from the outside.

This is how spot treatments work: They take an active ingredient like benzoyl, salicylic acid, or sulfur, then suck the oil from the clogged pore (and reduce inflammation in the process).

Well, fortunately, we have found our holy-grail spot treatment, and honestly, it’s like miracle in a bottle. Formulated with salicylic acid, calamine, sulfur and zinc oxide, The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion does exactly what we need it to, it takes the anger out of our pimples, drying them up and eliminating the bump – literally overnight.

We’re not exaggerating! This product has been a favorite amongst beauty editors, celebrities (Ashley Benson , Jennifer Aniston), and professionals worldwide. Even Kylie Jenner knows what’s up, and single-handedly depleted stocks around the world after she posted it on her Snapchat. It’s reached cult status for a reason, being that one dab before bed will send any whitehead packing faster than you can say, “where’s the concealer?”

How Does it Work?

It contains Calamine which helps to reduce redness and swelling, Zinc Oxide which decreases the size of breakouts and helps to dry out oil production, Sulfur which dries out dead skin cells to help unclog your pores, Salicylic Acid — a type of Beta-Hydroxy Acid or BHA that can help treat acne by exfoliating the skin and helping to dislodge dead skin cells that can clog pores.

How to Use:

Before bed (after cleansing, toning and moisturizing), dip a Q-tip / cotton swab into the pink sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Dab directly on the surface blemish; do not rub in. Let dry and rinse off in the morning.

No matter what your skin care routine is, The Drying Lotion can be used at night as your very last step, to spot treat whiteheads. Once the whitehead has gone, don’t continue to use the product on the same area, as it could cause dry skin.

NOTE: The Drying Lotion should not be used on broken skin or popped pimples.

What Is the Best Way to Remove the Lotion In the Morning?

Remove the Drying Lotion with your daily cleanser followed by toner and moisturizer.

To Shake or Not to Shake?

No matter how tempted you are, DO NOT shake the bottle – the solution is meant to be separated, with the good stuff settling at the bottom of the bottle.

Think of it this way: The pink dot you make on your face works like a teeny overnight mask that gives targeted attention to your blemish. You want the product to be clay- like when it is applied so that it goes on opaque and pink, completely covering the bump. When you shake, that sediment becomes diluted.

What Happens If I Shake the Drying Lotion?

Don’t worry if you do — simply set the bottle on an even, flat surface. Leave it undisturbed overnight and voilà: your Drying Lotion is settled and looking brand new.

Does it Sting?

Yes, it does sting. Think about it, you’re putting salicylic acid on a very inflamed portion of your face. But it only lasts about 10-20 seconds until the lotion dries.

Does It Work on Acne Scars?

The Drying Lotion does not address dark marks or acne scars. We suggest this product to spot treat active whiteheads. This product makes no claims to prevent scarring.

Can I spot treat deep, under-the-surface blemishes with this lotion?

For cystic acne breakouts (those pesky, red, painful bumps that live underneath the skin’s surface they don’t form whiteheads or blackheads), we recommend using Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion as a spot treatment.

Is It Suitable For Sensitive Skin?

While the Drying Lotion is suitable for all skin types, we suggest patch testing the product to determine tolerance if your skin is very sensitive.

Can I Use it On My Back Acne?

You can use your Drying Lotion to target surface blemishes on the back, chest, and neck, too.

What Can I Do If the Product Dries Out?

The Drying Lotion performs at its best when both the pink sediment and clear liquid are used together. When either one of these runs out – it is time to buy a new bottle.

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