This Brand Snuck STEROIDS Into Their Skincare - The Mario Badescu Lawsuit. When Beauty Turns Ugly

[@JamesWelsh]

You can find Dr Julian Sass on instagram at: @drjuliansass and here on KZbin! Channel linked in the description!

[@alexissteele5274]

I absolutely love your accent. Where are you from? You sound elegant and dainty. Thank you for the video, I'm looking for acne products, thanks for the warning ⚠️ ❤❤ ok have a good day

[@hrainef]

​@@alexissteele52749k

[@heathermcmanus2308]

Let me help I do medications at a nursing home phonetically it’s pronounced try-am-sin-alone took me forever to pronounce it 😊

[@ThatVintageBrit]

@drjuliansass @jameswelsh Hi lovelies, hope you’re doing well! So I wanted to know, could any of their products cause rashes or welts if you might be allergic or something? Just curious. Thank you in advance ❤❤

[@catmechanic]

I cringed when I heard they hid triamcinolone in the cream. I use that as a veterinarian by prescription only. :/

[@bisexualantigone]

i love your username !!

[@mariya_tortilla]

CAT MECHANIC IS SO FUNNY LMAO especially since cat is often misspelled as car....and youre a vet...its the gift that keeps on giving

[@spareaccount1969]

Username checks out

[@lunarlovely.]

lmao ur username!!

[@jremzy]

yes! I had that prescribed to me for dyshidrosis in the past and I had a relatively low prescription, but it came with all these warnings and my doctor told me specifically to be very careful to follow the twice a day daily regimen for ONLY 2 weeks! it cleared my skin but also I had thinner skin and it burned in the sun even with spf, so I can't imagine someone using it for months or even years especially not knowing

[@HollandSapphire]

Topical steroid withdrawal is VERY real. I have had eczema my whole life and was on too high a dose of steroids for too long and it wasn't until I finally decided to kick the steroids that my skin started to get better and heal itself. But kicking steroids is one hell of a ride. Very painful, but ultimately worth it.

[@JamesWelsh]

I kept researching this a bit after filming and it looks like there’s a much more recent study on steroid withdrawal! I don’t really know how anyone can deny it when people’s withdrawal is very clear and very painful looking!

[@JulijaMlakar]

@@JamesWelsh I also have TSW😑

[@ElizabethT45]

Agreed, my husband has eczema and he has to alternate topical steroid cream with something plain like Aveeno lotion so he doesn't reach his tolerance level.

[@julians6620]

@@ElizabethT45yes this is so true. It’s just a way of life for someone with severe eczema. Steroid creams are the only treatment that have given my skin any relief, but they do have their cons, that’s for sure.

[@ElizabethT45]

@@julians6620 Right now he's enrolled in a program and does an injection every two weeks. He gets it free for a year and then it's like $1200 a month which we won't be able to continue.

[@gaildahlas]

I'm allergic to hydrocortisone and being exposed to it can send me into full anaphylactic shock - imagine if I'd picked this up and thought nothing of it because of the ingredients list. Never been so glad to have avoided a skincare brand in my life.

[@bunnylacy2097]

Oh god…. I didn’t even consider what would’ve happen if someone allergic to it used it without knowing. That’s horrible.

[@bunnylacy2097]

There was a woman who recently died because a grocery store didn’t label peanuts on their packaged bakery cookies. She had a epi pen but it wasn’t enough. She still died. Horrible :( and the store refused to take blame.

[@Lynsey17]

Not only that, the confusion when trying to determine the source of exposure...

[@reneenevermore2771]

That’s an auful thing yo be allergic to because it’s used for so many things. I am glad you didn’t use the skincare!

[@Valentynekittylover23]

it's great for people with eczema but BY prescription

[@aflilly]

As someone who works in a cosmetic lab and as a consumer, once a trust is broken, I’ll never trust again. If they don’t get it the first time, they don’t deserve a second chance.

[@TansyBlue]

Exactly. I will never ever buy a Mario Badescu product. Ever. (Unless they release something really irresistible I guess... but what are the chances of that?!)

[@Morhan_Jehnez]

This video made me think of that old Catwoman movie where the villain was like some rich woman who made a beauty cream that, if you used it for a prolonged period of time, would totally ruin your skin if you stopped using it.

[@MShaiqable]

Bahahahahaha omg the Halle Berry and Sharon Stone one!

[@Morhan_Jehnez]

@@MShaiqable Exactly!

[@Kristyn00]

People made fun of that movie but I never forgot the message!

[@E.V.-il]

Exactly!! First thing I thought of too

[@SUGAs_Shadow85]

Now I feel old. Pretty sure that came out when I was in COLLEGE

[@miscelunaaa9069]

I have psoriasis and live in the US. I have been prescribed both hydrocortisone AND triamcinolone for my condition, so my jaw DROPPED upon learning that both of them were found in the same cream???? My derm gave me super specific instructions about how and WHERE to use them. Hydrocortisone is okay for the face (when used with care) but triamcinolone was NOT to be used on my face or in places with thinner skin (think places with stretch marks, under arms, etc). So that it was found in a face cream?????????????? I screamed. The biggest side effect I was always warned about was skin thinning over time which can be very hard to bounce back from. And those more aggressive topical steroids often work by thinning the skin for conditions like psoriasis which typically thicken the skin because of how they function on a cellular level. So that people had this on their face .... I'm shook. Just wow.

[@clarisaxpianist]

I was once prescribed triamcinolone for an awful case of hand dermatitis that didn't respond to OTC hydrocortisone after 2 weeks and also remember being given specific instructions for how much to use at a time, how often to use it, where to avoid putting it, and when to stop using it. And yes, the skin thinning side effect especially since I was using it on my hands. Still have dermatitis, but thankfully it now responds to a couple days of OTC hydrocortisone and only need to do it about once a month

[@miscelunaaa9069]

@@clarisaxpianist I'm glad it worked for you and that it's more under control now :)

[@kikiqutii2322]

Wait what….i was prescribed triamcinolone for treating eczema rashes on my arm pits, am I not supposed to put it there??? I was told to stop once the rash went away but use when needed and now I’m very confused 😩

[@miscelunaaa9069]

@@kikiqutii2322 def do what your doctor says! Different people have different situations and skin needs etc, plus there are different strengths of meds! So what I was given may have been stronger than what you got 🤷🏻‍♀️ Definitely defer to your doctor!!! They know way more than I do about your situation and needs!

[@clarisaxpianist]

@kikiqutii2322 the "not to use here" instructions are definitely to make sure patients don't inappropriately use products and incidentally cause more problems that then have to be dealt with. If a doctor gave you the medicine with instructions of where to use, follow them! It is possible to use these products elsewhere, but only under direct instruction of a provider

[@AKbaby89]

So when i was in 8th grade, i became allergic to rubber boots, had a reaction on a class trip, but didnt know it was from my boots. So i sat there and scratched the hives until they were open, then i wore the rubber boots again. After that, my calfs were open wounds for about 2 months. They ended up biopsing my legs and when after they asked me pernission to publish my problem, they finally figured out it was a really severe allergic reaction. I was on so many steroids, i became chemically depressed, i was hearing voices, it was TERRIFYING. My drs werent all talking to eachother, so i was on WAY too many steroids. So yeah....steroids scare me pretty bad. Those 2-3 months were some of the worst months of my entire life. I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. I know steroids can be helpful, but my god they ruined my mental health. Totally ruined it.

[@awesomeirlable]

That’s horrible. Im so sorry you went through that especially as a child

[@celinepope]

Wishing you health and the best now. Sorry you went through that

[@annawagner7129]

My doctor tried to prescribe me steroids to treat an autoimmune disease. I said absolutely not! Having predictable minor symptoms from my disease are much more preferable to the long list of side effects steroids can have.

[@albuszx]

Systemic steroids had some of the most insane side effects I've ever been through, I'm talking full blown panic attacks after a minuscule dose over 4 days. I can use topical steroids for dermatitis and asthma just fine, but it's a tightly controlled situation

[@shiwashere]

I was on steroids for years for severe asthma and even though I haven't had one in 15 years, I still am dealing with longterm side effects and will be dealing with then for the rest of my life. I mean don't get me wrong, steroids saved my life but people shouldn't use them without knowing they are in the product and what they can do to your body

[@missdenisebee]

I’ve never understood the weird, cult-like fervor around Mario Badescu. And I’m pretty sure I remember seeing that pink drying lotion advertised in the back of teen magazines back in the early to mid 90s…it’s been around forever, but it absolutely ANNIHILATES your skin😭

[@skulltaylor1616]

Best pimple product I’ve ever used. I’ve got sensitive skin and it’s never damaged it. Works brilliantly

[@Lady.Fern.]

@@skulltaylor1616same I’m so confused by all of this I’ve never had anything else work I do the pink stuff with a patch over it and it’s gone the next day sometimes it takes two nights of that if it’s a deep one. I just bought a few other products because those two were working so well and I’ve always used the miracle powder since I was a teen but now I’m scared to try the new stuff I got 😩

[@louiseboo924]

To be honest it's the only product I've used that actually clears up the spot sooo quick xx

[@MyCleverHandle]

Isn't the pink stuff just calamine lotion thinned with a little alcohol?

[@mazarine_44]

@@MyCleverHandle I believe it’s more than just calamine but essentially yes. You can make it at home.

[@marianne8352]

You nailed exactly why I would never use their products when you were talking about their new range and said “the ingredients look good, IF it’s actually what’s in it”.

[@samanthadaigle6647]

That u is the Greek symbol for mu, which is also the symbol for micro. So it is a microgram per gram.

[@derpherpblerp]

I came here to say that too. :D One gram is one million micrograms.

[@H.A.-zr2wc]

Poor James had something in his eye during the intro disclaimer 😢😢😢 Maybe Mario Badescu has a cure for it 💜💜💜

[@ravenreese]

😂😂😂

[@JamesWelsh]

😂😂😂😂

[@aleigha9141]

Baaahahahaa 😂😂😂 this wins the internet today!! Lmao

[@bitsandbobs786]

😂😂😂

[@user-uo9kf1sx5o]

That is supremely funny

[@MollyOllyOxenfree]

Wow. I’ve been prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide for my eczema from pretty much late teens onwards and it’s insane that this was in a normal over the counter cream. You have to be very careful and should not be putting it on your face unless instructed by your doctor. This is not something you can just mess around with. I only use it because non-steroid creams have no effect on my eczema flare ups. I feel so bad for the people who had to go through this.

[@laurastarbrook1308]

One of my friends stopped eating and drinking all dairy products and her excema went away, just an FYI

[@hilja5177]

​@@laurastarbrook1308 I have eczema as well and cutting out dairy does help but unfortunately not the miracle cure for everyone, like myself. I do get less flare-ups.

[@gasparinha]

Right! I only use it on the really bad spots, and use OTC hydrocortisone and/or a barrier lotion everywhere else (love the Gold Bond Eczema Relief cream).

[@katiekilgore6319]

​@@laurastarbrook1308eczema is different for everyone who has it, dairy can be inflammatory so it's possible that's why it helped your friend, it's also possible they simply had an allergy or something. This change may not help everyone with eczema because again the cause of it may be different for everyone. I have a friend who had to take steroid shots every few weeks to help with hers, my fiance has it and just has to keep his skin clean and moisturized to avoid an outbreak

[@BrittanyDeNee22]

I use the same thing and also try not to use it too often because It can thin out your skin

[@MrsCurioCheerio]

One of the first (and last) Mario Badescu products I purchased years ago was a bright blue glycolic acid toner. I picked it up partly because it had only 4 ingredients on the bottle (water, aloe, grapefruit extract, and glycolic acid)… no mention of dyes. I was a skincare novice at the time and wasn’t very familiar with glycolic acid, so at first I chalked up the blue color to maybe being an effect of the acid, but the more I started to have issues using this toner I decided to look up the product and found it to contain a laundry list of several other ingredients on their website, including the various dyes. I felt dumb and wished I questioned the lack of ingredients sooner, but as a young consumer at the time, I put a lot of trust into brands thinking that they’ll do the proper (and legal) thing to be transparent about what’s fully in their products, but because Mario Badescu violated regulations so brazenly and I felt the consequences didn’t match the offense, I will 100% never purchase an item from them again.

[@zuzannaczerwinska2635]

Hey did you have any reaction after using that toner for a prolonged period of time? I bought it recently at tkmaxx for a fraction of the price and i use it in the evening cleansing routine, so far it's goof but I'm curious what your experience is. Wishing you a nice day/evening/night whenever you see that ❤❤❤

[@moxiemedia4350]

You've just made me plug in. Thank you! I also trusted the brand for the limited ingredients. I appreciate you sharing your experience. I've learned something.

[@MrsCurioCheerio]

@@zuzannaczerwinska2635 Note I used the toner _years_ ago, so not sure if they’ve updated their formula since (but because of what MB did I don’t even know what was truly in the bottle to begin with). What I remember most is just hating the feeling of it on my skin…irritation/discomfort, possible worsening of acne, and I believe itchiness on the face. If you look up old photos of the bottle’s design, it says to apply it twice a day after cleaning so that didn’t help either!

[@Spamilton1739]

I tried this product and found out I was allergic to grapefruit through this project

[@JamesWelsh]

A little extra I didn’t include in the video. After the two creams were recalled, Mario Badescu were then caught up in ANOTHER lawsuit. This time with retailer MOREFUN CO. LTD. “Following independent tests, the KFDA recalled the remaining six batches of the product Plaintiff had purchased from Defendant. Ultimately, Plaintiff's total damages as a result of the recalls of all seven batches were, at minimum, $1.7 million. The recall of Batch 372 resulted in damages to Plaintiff in the approximate amount of $900,000, after Plaintiff was required to refund customers and compensate its local distributor. Defendant (Mario Badescu) represented to Plaintiff numerous times that the remaining six batches of the product that Plaintiff purchased had been tested, and were steroid free. Plaintiff was unable to test or otherwise verify Defendant's representations that Batch 372 was the only contaminated batch, and that the other batches were steroid free. On June 10, 2013, Plaintiff and Defendant entered into the Settlement Agreement, pursuant to which Defendant agreed to pay Plaintiff $492,000 in compensation for costs incurred by Morefun following the KFDA's recall of Batch 372.

[@H.A.-zr2wc]

Why are they still a thing.....omg....

[@I_Am_Hateful]

Title currently says "When Beauty urns Ugly" instead of "Turns"

[@rhileynnna]

I would absolutely put steroids on my face ‘accidentally’ for nearly $500,000 😬

[@findjohnnyrlam]

When someone shows you who they are - believe them the first time . . . Thank you for ALL that you do here!

[@livesouthernable]

How do you “accidentally” put steroids in a face cream? That’s so wild

[@saharaowl9712]

I wouldn't touch MB with a ten foot barge pole, after hearing and reading so much negative feedback about their products. Now after seeing this video, I'm so glad I put them on my 'don't use' list. I suffer from contact dermatitis due to certain skin care ingredients so I have do my research. Things like hiding ingredients would make me think that a company that does that untrustworthy or unreliable., after all if they're hiding ingredients in a cream what makes you think they won't be hiding ingredients in other products!

[@nikookb210]

hi pharmacist here corticosteroids are a wonderful topical or oral treatment for patients with itching, flare ups, redness and other related issues but as James has said their is a period or time for use for this drug and it should be monitored correctly what it mainly does is reduces the blood flow to the effected area so that our immune system will slow down or stop temporarily so the issue can resolve itself. after long term use you can see how bad the effects will be to already normal skin and that is hella scary that they had that amount of corticosteroids in their face cream 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[@bisexualantigone]

yea, i used a tiny bit when i had some contact dermatitis and after that, because of new blush i used, i had some rosacea esque rash & was recommended to only use these creams briefly & at night!

[@nikookb210]

@bisexualantigone yes because you're skin gets very thin that's why it is mostly recommended at night and you are told to use sunscreen in the morning's

[@AmyKaylasVegas]

An antibiotic is better if it's perioral dermatitis...

[@nikookb210]

@AmyKaylasVegas it depends if it was caused by corticosteroid withdrawal or not if it was caused by corticosteroids sure best mode of treatment is antibiotics but if the dermatitis was contact dermatitis the best treatment is topical corticosteroids it all goes back to checking in with a doctor finding the reason and then treatment hope that helps

[@AJ-zx8by]

Yeah but corticosteroids are plugged by big Pharma as a treatment for anything and everything despite the negative consequences to...the whole body including cushings, osteoporosis and skin atrophy. I had a groin sore over lockdown from having to stay in my room in a house share for 14 days- miserable yes but anyway I went to the doctor and had an argument with them over their prescription of steroids for me. I said no i'm not taking it steroids cause skin atrophy. They were like oh no they don't. Sure enough I read the packaging and it said do not put near the genital area. I never ever used it I just got it to shut them up but wouldn't dare open the box. Another steroid free cream completely cleared up my sore. No steroids needed. Steroid atrophy free thank f I listened to my intuition.

[@lydiaqueenoftattoos]

I've been battling TSW (topical steroid withdrawal) from eczema meds for over a year. I had to leave my job, my entire body went into shock, I was bedridden and unrecognizable for a month, and I'm still dealing with flares today. Thank you for bringing attention to this, it's usually misdiagnosed but it's very real and very serious.

[@worer850]

With you girl. I have TSW from cyclocorte to the neck. Healed after 1 year. Then ear infection came. Doctor gave me antibiotics drops with dexamethsone. Tsw came back with on 48 hours. Red sleeves and all. I'm now 2.5 years in. tried cyclosporin, dupixant and rinvoq. My advice. Cyclosporin works well for 16 weeks. It platues. Stay away from Dupixant..it works on your torso for tsw but your face will turn into a nightmare for 12 weeks. My best experience so far has been rinvoq. Although abrive the company that is the go Between in customers service terrible. Like perhaps the most incompitant customer service I ever delt with. But hey rinvoq cleared my tswup 99%

[@ttthecat]

I'm so so sorry that you went through that!!! I truly hope you are recovering and feeling better everday!🙏🏾 And I will try to make sure I really limit when I use steroids in the future! I used to get eczema and now I get occasional hives and rosacea like flares- I will be very mindful in the future.

[@lydiaqueenoftattoos]

@@ttthecat best of luck- I know it's hard to avoid the steroids when they do work at first!

[@doeeyes2]

Im so so sorry!! Ive seen some harrowing pictures of people battling long term TSW. Can I ask you a question? Were you using it under a doctors care?? Did they not warn you it is nit to be used long term. Its so sad when the thing that was supposed to helo you ehds up hurting you more than you couldve managed. Ive been thru somethinf similar with pain medications.

[@aliyaf9869]

Thank you for sharing. TSW is real!!!

[@devonhealy4553]

Topical steriod withdrawal is a very real thing!! I used a prescription topical steroid for a few years for some mild acne. When I decided to discontinue use of the cream, I suddenly had severe steroid withdrawal on my face! I have permanent broken capillaries, thinning skin, and extreme redness on my cheeks that will never go away! I basically look like a tomato when I don't have makeup! Also, cystic acne, severe itching, and hives for years. I have permanent damage on my face, and no one warned me of this possibility before using, not even my GP who prescribed it to me. It definitely needs more attention, for sure! Hope my story helps someone out there from not using steriods on your face or at least doing your research beforehand!! Love that you covered this. You're the best!! ❤

[@youraftermyrobotbee]

I work in a Sephora at Kohl's, and we for some reason have a whole endcap of Mario Badescu even though none of their stuff sells but the colored waters (and the colored waters are just as rubbish, but TikTok hype gonna TikTok hype). I certainly would never bring a client over to their fixture when there's way more reputable and efficacious brands in store. And yet we can't have Topicals even though everybody asks for it...

[@skulltaylor1616]

Their rose face spray makes my skin look fabulous and super moisturised. Used it for years and it works very well.

[@Wintermetal]

Can’t have Topicals? Oohh why not? It looks really good

[@Astral_thee_God]

I work at Kohl's and I go in our Sephora sometimes to talk to the workers or poke around at stuff. I don't know _anything_ about makeup and skincare (I recently started using Fenty skin and it's actually pretty decent) but now I have to see if we have this brand. This is wild

[@kimbirch771]

They have the best vitamin e oil

[@jessicawold]

my store thought we were getting rid of that endcap and got so excited. but she persists😔

[@sarahfraser9532]

For anyone curious, the “ug/g” at 7:15 are micrograms per gram; the little u is the lowercase Greek letter “mu”; a “micro” unit is 1/100000 of a base unit (same idea as a “centi” unit being 1/100). So those measurements were saying that per gram of product there were .0261 grams of hydrocortisone and 0.0189 grams of triamcinolone actonide

[@zuzap3799]

Yeah, I don't get how he couldn't take 2 seconds to google it.

[@femmedandy]

a youtube “influencer who happens to be a dermatologist” would have known

[@nalanan]

This is horrifying to me. I've had eczema all my life and needed to use topical cortisone regularly. After moving to a new country and under high stress, my skin went nuts. Due to my desperation and a neglectful dermatologist, I ended up overusing the steroids and my skin experienced withdrawal symptoms without the medication: never-ending rashes, blotchy and highly sensitive skin, painful lacerations, etc. It caused me to take pain killers often so that I could get at least a few hours of sleep. It's taken me over 2 years, regular visits to the hospital, and a new (amazing!) dermatologist to get my skin somewhat back to how it used to be. I still suffer from some side effects though. I can't ride a bike when it's too windy or cold because my skin has thinned so much that it causes rashes. I also am much more skin reactive to my food allergies. I still use a type of topical steroid to control my skin, it's just the way my skin is, BUT I have a clear plan and I can't become "addicted" to it as long as I follow it. This company has ruined the daily life of many of its consumers and some people probably still have no idea why their skin is now the way it is. Absolutely terrible.

[@KrazyGlueEXTREME]

There are people who don't think steroid withdrawal is real? When eczema girlies exist?

[@JamesWelsh]

Especially when the signs are so obvious!

[@Heljhammack]

My half sister has been on her TSW journey for four years now. She had been on topical steroids for eczema for 30 years. She eventually realized she was dependent on the topical steroids and that was she was experiencing with her skin was not eczema but TSW. Multiple doctors did not believe her. She was temporarily disabled as a result of choosing to go off topical steroids. She spent months in oatmeal baths, had to be on a strict anti inflammatory diet and lost her hair. She is now fully steroids free and thriving!

[@kellymurray8998]

@@HeljhammackGood for her! I hope her life gets easier after this.

[@Parvapinna]

As someone whose sister has eczema, this made me go 🗿

[@Jadeau]

As the sister with eczmema my face went 🗿. This is the first time I’ve heard of it.

[@dia9491]

I’m in US and I’ve never heard of OTC triamcinolone. My husband used to get a regular prescription for triamcinolone for excema. When he asked if he could get it otc the dermatologist said no because it’s prescription only. Withdrawal from steroids is horrible, especially with excema I’ve seen it with hubs and so I believe it’s real. Now he’s on a biologic thank goodness. You can’t give people prescription drugs and not tell them! That’s horrible.

[@julians6620]

That’s exactly what I was thinking! In no way should companies be not disclosing the use of steroids in their products! …However…this product with steroids disclosed would’ve been a game changer for us with severe eczema 😅 I have to pay $200+ for two bottles of my steroid cream.

[@S3lkie-Gutz]

Me neither, I'm in Canada and the only thing I've ever seen like this was hydrocortisone in the cerave itch relief lotion I use to help mediate hives and rashes from my lupus and egregious skin picking as a result of my skin being so itchy all the time. This is just insane to me

[@dia9491]

@@julians6620 hubs said the same thing. He wish he’d have known he’d have bought it instead of the his $200 script lol excema sucks. I hope you’re finding some relief.

[@dia9491]

@@S3lkie-Gutz in the US we have tons of brand of hydrocortisone creams. They’re allowed to sell otc as long as it’s below 1%. Anything above must be prescription.

[@anotherkyr]

As someone with eczema I'm so used to just walking up to the pharmacy counter and straight up asking for hydrocortisone. I took my niece to a gp appointment when she was having skin issues once and when the dr said he was giving her hydrocortisone I explained to her it can thin your skin so make sure to wash your hands after application. Had to explain to him that no I'm not a health professional. I'm just a scaly lady.

[@annipsy2185]

Have you found anything else that helps equally? I havent yet, and i have it AROUND MY EYES where the skin is alllready thinnnnnn.im so sick of it

[@lauraritag5188]

This is appalling! The legalities that this broke are mad and that the response was so poor. The could be criminally prosecuted under the Medicines act in the UK for selling prescription only medications.

[@trollhungry5225]

As someone who got a severe topical steroid withdrawal I am seriously horrified. A doctor prescribed me topical steroids for face allergy in summer 2019, I quit them after 4 months in October 2019, had a severe debiliating withdrawal for a whole year and still sporadically get withdrawal symptoms even after all those years. And trust me, they are not pretty: a bloated face and peeling skin.

[@truthhurtsohwell05]

bloated face sucks when you’re already bloated

[@AlainaRene87]

Your whole "Mario badescu not saying anything about this massive issue 'idk facial expressions'" absolutely sent me! 😂 you're honestly the funniest, most honest beautuber and you are SOOOOO appreciated babes!! Love ya❤

[@kristaladelea]

I was gifted Mario Badescu skincare by a friend several years ago. It was the first non-drugstore skincare I used and I really liked it. It's what started my journey into better skincare in my late 20's early 30's. I don't use it anymore, but at the time it was an enjoyable experience.

[@ErikBPG]

This baffles me as a soon to be pharmacist. A company putting corticosteroids in a cosmetic product is insane. They are powerful drugs that are very effective but also have very clear risks. They need to be used with care

[@nicholeverville]

Basically a remittitur is a ruling by a judge lowering the amount of damages granted by a jury in a civil case. Happens sometimes when the amount awarded by the jury exceeds the amount the plaintiff was demanding in the first place. Sometimes happens when the amount awarded by the jury does not exceed the amount demanded by the plaintiff but is considered excessive (for whatever reason provided - including the prevailing law in the state on what damages can be issued). It is also sometimes used in place of the word "remand" to indicated moving a case from a higher court to a lower court. i.e. in California, it is used after an appeal has been heard and decided - essentially to send jurisdiction of the case from the appeal court back to the lower court (the trial court) to act on the ruling. Example - if the appellate court decides the award is excessive - they don't change the amount themselves, they send it back to the trial court for them to amend the amount consistent with the ruling and the law. For the plaintiff, when this happens they can either accept the reduced verdict or submit to a new trial that is restricted only to the matter of damages (it's not re-litigating the facts or anything). Hope that helps.

[@venusinfauxxfurs]

This is INSANE-when you said 0.19% Triamcinolone my jaw actually dropped. For my moderate eczema I was prescribed a 0.1% dose, which even when used sparingly had caused serious skin thinning and severe flare ups when I stopped using it… 😬

[@sharonharris9782]

I WAS A VICTIM OF THAT HEALING CREAM! THE REBOUND REDNESS AND PIMPLES WAS INSANE!

[@liviusss]

Same, I used the healing cream for a year and had such a bad case of steroid withdrawal after that, got rosacea, super reactive skin that I still have trouble with more than 10 years later... I had seen so many dermatologists and didn't know what was wrong until I found some people talking about this in the Amazon reviews (some of them had had systemic reactions after using these products for years and years).

[@sharonharris9782]

@@liviusss yup, I also developed Rosacea after my months long use of it. It only made my already red skin so much worse.

[@naomiporter3427]

Another niche problem from undisclosed hydrocortisone can be cross contamination. I worked with show horses for years and if I had hydrocortisone cream on myself and it rubbed off on one of the horses, it potentially could pop up on a drug test later on (show horses are often tested to ensure no performance enhancing or pain masking drugs are being used) it was super important for me to be aware of every ingredient in my skincare when I worked that job and this sorta thing coulda screwed my job up for me 🙈

[@Jennyonthehill7035]

I briefly worked at a racing yard and I remember the trainer going (half-jokingly but not really) mental because some of the lads were saving time by having a pee in the loose boxes. The trainer's point was that he had no idea what horrible little "habits" the lads had in private that might cause a horse to fail a drug test. I was so surprised but it makes sense.

[@pina.p3820]

Thank you for shedding light on this issue! No wonder I have trouble trusting skincare/cosmetic brands… this makes your work so important because people really trust your reviews ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Lady.Fern.]

Same I’ve been using nothing but water and lanolin then started using these products in the last few months and am like hmm maybe I just go back to my trusty water regime 😅

[@melissa9734]

TAC cream is only prescription only in the US so how was that even legal for them to add that into their products?????? Only under a derm supervision should a high dose topical steroid like TAC be used on the face otherwise facial use must be avoided. Side effects include skin thinning jfc.

[@yaseminkemal5052]

I was prescribed hydrocortisone a few years ago after an allergic reaction. The doctor was very adamant on the strength telling me that I shouldn’t use it for more that two weeks. It was very strong and worked instantly for me.

[@ryno1509]

It’s 100% a recognised real thing ask anyone who had severe eczema as a child the constant topical steroids on and off does more harm than the eczema itself and it can take years for your skin to recover from steroid withdrawal

[@MadAboutSkin]

I called this out a few years ago and boy did the MB fans come for me lol... Its almost like a cult so thank you for using your channel to spread the message and hopefully the more people know the most this shady brand will be put out of business once and for all... Hope all is amazing with you James and sending love x

[@paulinemaxton2938]

I remember your first video on this 2 years ago.. I love you and James

[@djkb125]

It’s crazy how your brother is now popping up in my algorithm. I didn’t even know you had a twin!! Both of your channels are fantastic. I’m curious who seems to lead one to the other. I think you to him is more likely because he’s more dramatic with his appearance but who knows. Either way you’re both gems.

[@hereforthememes]

Triamcinolone is what I use for my psoriasis - it’s prescription only and limited use, if I start using it daily, I’m supposed to go back and discuss with my derm and doctor. So it is WILD to me that it’s included in OTC regular use skincare!

[@MB-wt3ei]

Thanks for sharing that and for bringing more awareness to this issue. I myself used a product (marketed as all "natural ingredients) but it also had cortisone, which was not disclosed in the ingredients list. I used it for months, every night! I did notice at that time that my skin was starting to freak out, until one day when I ran out of it. My skin was pure hell - I literally wanted to put my head in the freezer! My skin was so red, inflamed, itchy and painful to touch. When I got another tube, in like a week, my skin, which was used to this drug, started to get "better" but it was obviously just as painful and red and bad as before. When I finally saw a dermatologist, I understood the huge mistake that I made. I was on antibiotics for 3 moths, I used Soolantra and other prescribed creams which did not help that much. I had to go on Accutane for a whole year - which again, besides my acne that cleared, my rosacea and the scars that I had were just as bad. Now I'm doing laser treatments (which are also very expensive) and my skin got a bit better. My flare ups are more manageable and my acne scars improved as well. It's been some rough years to be honest. I wish we had this kind of "sue culture" here in Romania, because I should have taken them to court (and pay for all this hell I had to go through). Take are and be careful with the products you use.

[@iheartjackieyes]

Not me putting on my prescription triamcinolone acetonide just as you were saying it was an unlisted ingredients. No wonder it's popular with eczema havers lol

[@UnpurrfectRobyn]

I'm in the US and we can buy 1% hydrocortisone treatments OTC, typically found in the first aid section of the pharmacy for minor rashes, bug bites, etc. But yes, it clearly states to discontinue use and consult a doctor if symptoms persist for more than 7 days or symptoms stop, but recur again within a few days. I'm not aware of triamcinolone acetonide being available without a prescription...

[@pattyrobberson4152]

Because of you I now frequently say "allegedly... for legal reasons.. this is my opinion" at work all the time 😂

[@Lady.Fern.]

I have multiple learning disabilities that make reading and understanding products ingredients quite hard for me. Being able to listen to these kind of verbal essays on this kind of topic is very important and helpful to me, thank you!

[@AggresivelyBenign]

Hi James! This was great! I’ve seen this brand at TJ Maxx (I think it’s TK Maxx in England?) and I was wondering if you have every done something on skincare from places like TJ Maxx and whether it is / isn’t generally a good idea? Allegedly. For legal purposes. 😊

[@foxymusic217]

My local TK Maxx (am in the UK) is full of this stuff. That’s never a good sign

[@Jillybean1900]

I watched a video about this. Many of the beauty products at TJMaxx here in US had been used/returned, and it showed employees putting it right back on shelf eww. Many items not sealed or anything. Gross stuff like that. No thanks!!

[@AggresivelyBenign]

@@foxymusic217 yeah, you’re probably right. But occasionally they have good skincare brands, so then I wonder if there’s something wrong with the “good” brands? Or maybe just the particular items at the TJ/TK Maxx?

[@polinatalmeltzer450]

I use their silver powder for skin decongesting and unclogging pores, and I swear by it, it was a life changing product for me! And I also love their peppermint lip balm/mask, because I love minty lip products, but they are usually overpriced for what they are or always sold out (laneige).

[@sozothman7005]

Pharmacist here 🙋🏻‍♀️ It’s so unethical to sell something to people that contains such strong ingredients without even mentioning them. I’m glad he’s educating people about steroids and their potential side effects when used longterm. And the way he pronounces triamcinolone is sooo funny 😂 love you james

[@glossykisses]

The first thing my doctor told me about hydrocortisone is a) don't use for more than 10 days b) DON'T GO INTO THE SUN.

[@samanthamorris2744]

I didnt get this at all for my doctor ... suffering from eczema to this day none of it worked just irritated me more😊

[@elly8935]

I love this series, I feel like you really do your research and stay objective. Also, I NEED to know what nail polish you’re wearing!

[@gasparinha]

Thanks for mentioning Dr. Julian Sass! I just subscribed and am binge-watching his shorts. My first thought with this story is for people with rosacea, who shouldn't use topical steroids at ALL. 😬 At least they would given up on that cream pretty quickly...

[@shaniahuxley]

“Why use science to heal when you could use a leaf?” 😂😭

[@JamesWelsh]

😂😂

[@heyitsrenita]

I can definitely attest to this, I remember in 2018 I had a horrible reaction to their products and I used one of the base kits with no mixing of any other products so I know that was the culprit. Would never recommend their products not even a spray.

[@aleegroce4000]

I’ve used those colored water sprays lol. Not gonna lie, the main reason is that they are pretty damn cheap on Amazon (about $6-7) and I like the way they smell. My favorite is the rose water one, and I feel like it’s so basic but that is exactly the price point I want for something with really no frills or extra benefits. I like a hydrating spray, especially when it comes to refreshing my cream make up products- but so many brands will basically sell $20 “mountain spring water” or whatever, and it feels like a total knock off. That all being said, I actually found a k-beauty skin mist recently that I ordered in place of my usual badescu spray. It’s a few dollars more, but actually looks like it has a lot more quality ingredients in it. Hopefully I like it just as much, if not more… I hate to give my money to a brand that has such shady practices, and that regularly marks up their prices on other staple items to an insane degree.

[@quila402]

If you're up for it, a hydrating mist can be made from rice water. Just collect the water from rinsing rice into a spray bottle (I saved one of my old ones) can keep in the fridge for up to a week. I like K-Beauty too, but wanted to know how well those products I bought worked compared to "the simple old way" people used to do it. Feels very hydrating tbh; not as nice an experience as my other branded skincare (I like the textures and smells) but this is very hydrating for make up and skin. 10/10 did the same job, functionally as my other products. People would also rinse their hair with rice water to make it healthier. Look it up! I just followed a tutorial on KZbin for the spray!

[@jennifergreggerson6225]

I saw some of these products on the shelves this weekend.. just about purchased for the first time.. something told me to wait. Glad I did!

[@sophier1479]

I LOVE the 'when beauty turns ugly' series!!! ❤❤❤

[@carolinedill6836]

Woah! I had no idea! I was recommended Mario products and they’ve been really good for my skin. I’m currently using the enzyme cleanser, the jojoba/ph balancing toner and the cucumber and green tea water. I recently got a powder too that is used for after popping pimples and it’s been a great product, but now I’m going to double check on ingredients! However, a “drying lotion” sounded like the worst idea and to stay awayyyy from that

[@HighMaintenanceMinimalist]

😮I had no clue about any of this. I LOVE their Neck Cream and Lip Balm...I usually keep those two items stocked in my skincare stash.

[@bronniem5884]

I love their lip balm.

[@aceofhearts4048]

Good lord, thank you so much for covering this! I have a small container of their products, and I’ll be wary of using them in the future!!!

[@abstergo06]

the way no one was talking about it also, especially when they gained in popularity around 2015, i wasn't even aware of it either

[@x201r2]

The pharmacist in me cries a little every time you struggle to say triamcinolone 😂 I love it ❤

[@leslieraab1820]

Me seeing this video post and yelling out "One of my boys just posted!" 😁 My bf just rolled his eyes lol. I love James and Robert content. My skin and makeup game have really stepped up since finding these gems.

[@Kris.with.a.K]

😂🖤💜 Same!

[@victory335]

Lol I call them my men 🤣

[@RetroMonkey1999]

I actually do occasionally use the MB cleansing milk with carnation and rice oil.. it's a no rinse, creamy cleanser that's perfect for my INCREDIBLY dry skin, especially in the winter. It's basically just lotion, but it does help my painfully dry skin.

[@awetistic5295]

Listen, I love Hydrocortisone. It's the only thing that helps me with my eczema. But, let's be very clear about it, Hydrocortisone is not a moisturizer you should use twice a day.

[@tubthungusbychumbungus]

And absolutely not on your face omg I can't even imagine

[@bustertillymonty]

Glad you have highlighted this. I was prescribed the second most potent steroid. Not once was I asked for a review in 20 years. Was told to apply twice daily. I'm now 2 years topical steroid withdrawal. Many are going through the same, after using a mild hydrocortisone for a few days. Many don't realise they are steroid addicted until they try to stop using it.

[@Riley0512]

Does anyone rememberr the Catwoman movie? Starring Halle Berry?? That whole skincare storyline is actually happening in real life 💀💀

[@_Dark222Angel_]

ive had severe eczema and i always decline a topical steriod. I had a friend a beautiful woman who had the worst case of Topical steriod withdrawal id ever seen! shes still healing and dealing with damage years later! Horrific that people put it on their face without knowing. I healed through paleo carnivore style diet. Anyone dealing with skin issues i feel for you!

[@LunarNoire]

I used MB products back in 2017 and it WRECKED my skin to the point that I had to see a dermatologist because my skin had broken out so bad with huge itchy lumps and a rash to the point that I didn’t even want to go outside. I still have the scarring from it to this day.

[@sophiacalon3463]

I like their sprays but if they lied about the ingredients, it’s illegal.

[@MonetAllDay]

Oh my God, I tried one of the face sprays maybe 7 or 8 years ago and I had such an intense reaction to it. Red burning bumps all over my face - I was terrified. I don’t have sensitive skin, almost nothing irritates me, so I knew something was really wrong. Not surprised to see this…

[@aliciat2532]

I wouldnt be able to get through a US summer without hydrocortisone cream because mosquitos bite the absolute shit out of me and the bites swell. If you scratch them too much you end up with hyperpigmentation marks as if youve had an acne flare up on your arms and legs 🥴 we can literally buy the 1% cream in bulk at Costco

[@KatjeKat86]

Mosquito bite heat pen is a huge help.

[@snoopysnoopy2556]

Alicia pls stop using. my husband use 1% as well sparingly and he is on a massive flair right now and it could last years

[@EssieSpring]

Some fruits and veggies make you a magnet for mosquitoes, bananas is a common one.

[@blondie8524]

also this is kinda funny especially considering how the US FDA allows so many other things that are not allowed in Europe.... they technically didn't put in anything not allowed by the US FDA but they did fail to disclose it

[@KicesiesVlog]

I used a moisturizer by them as my very first grown up moisturizer and it destroyed my skin!!! It took me YEARS to seriously explore skincare again. I would have never tried them again after that... but holy CRAP this is an upsetting story.

[@trishtrish41]

As soon as you said Propylene Glycol (PG) I knew the issue. Many of us who have autoimmune disorders actually are allergic to PG and PEG (polyethylene glycol). My 17 daughter and I are severely allergic to it and can’t use anything that has those ingredients, including antibiotics. I get a chemical burn type rash that has hospitalized me. I had burns through my sinuses, nasal cavity, mouth, face, lungs, throat. I couldn’t cough bc it hurt so bad that I developed pneumonia. I could only drink things that were ice cold. All bc a household cleaner had it in it. This is how we learned I had an allergy to it. My daughter had an upper respiratory infection and they put her on zpak via IV. She went into anaphylactic shock. She began turning blue and couldn’t breathe. I didn’t know if I was going to lose my daughter or not. She now carries epi pens bc not everyone is honest about the ingredients. She is very diligent in reading ingredients. Even nasal sprays have it in it.

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

This is CRAZY! 🤯 This was a brand who ij my mind was good, highly valued, and pricey but effective! This is major & I appreciate you speaking out about it because topical steroid withdrawal is SERIOUS and to think people were/are using this not even knowing they have been using STEROIDS on their skin! Not to mention people could be allergic or use things that aren't comparable. What a nightmare. Thank God it's been well over a decade since I've used his products!!

[@kvarner6886]

If I'd gotten a coupon for more products after this, I'd redeem them and throw the products in the trash. That way, at least the company has to pay for it, but I don't have to use a product I don't trust.

[@blaze56701]

I WENT THROUGH TSW IN 2021 AND STILL DEALING WITH ISSUES PLS AVOID IT AS BEST YOU CAN I’ve gone through tsw now dealing with leaky gut and candida

[@YuKaKariyu]

100% it's blowing up bc people don't know about the court case. I'm 24 now and I remember having Mario Badescu products recommended by my friend - this is the first time I'm hearing about this court case too

[@Ash2theB]

I remember when MB was going through the lawsuit and same I would not purchase from that brand because I'm scared about ingredients. When I was middle school some people recommended the brand to me but I wasn't familiar it. I think a couple of brands had similar lawsuits or recalls especially the ones that focused on severe acne. Unfortunately, gen z and younger millennials are raving about the brand and they probably have no clue about this lawsuit.

[@Goober_gobbler]

Ive seen a couple creators go through topical steroid withdrawal, its TERRIFYING. One i remember who completely deleted her channel, joana cedia, she dropped out of university. It hurt to move, shower pretty much do anything. Not to mention the ITCHYNESS. I can barely handle mosquito bites, steroid withdrawal sounds like hell

[@jazwhoaskedforthis]

That is exactly what I was thinking, I hope she’s okay now

[@JoanCooperSnark]

Long term Ezcema sufferer here- hydrocortisone is also a prescription only steroid when used on the face! In the UK, they will not sell you it if you say you need it for facial ezcema UNLESS a doctor prescribes it.

[@nanobyte1]

pharmacy HCA in the UK here (so ymmv) ! in my experience first hand, please dont use hydrocortisone on the face whatsoever, and for no longer than 2 weeks - unless instructed so otherwise by a medical professional like a GP or Dermatology. so many people have came in misusing these products and have suffered the side effects, mostly due to an old fashioned belief that this cream is a cure-all. side effects are unpleasant and are not quickly solved problems either; very painful, can become unsightly, and really knocks your confidence. for me, what ive commonly seen is the skin issue just coming back tenfold and uncontrollably (unfortunately usually eczema sufferers using it for too long due to poor patient counselling from where they purchased it). always seek professional help if something has went awry with your product usage.

[@shaniahuxley]

I am always so impressed by your research & dedication to these videos! You’re so thorough & explanatory while providing all the facts, which is so necessary with a topic such as today’s. Thank you for your extra efforts James 🙌🏼 I love the beauty turns ugly series & wanted to share my appreciation for you & your videos/channel! 🤍🤍

[@kitsindel7884]

I litteraly had one of theese perscribed and the doc said "this should be a last resort, you can become imune to them if you use them alot"

[@ShreeNation]

I've used hydrocortisone ointment of different strengths for my lip dermatitis and it has never helped and in fact made it worse. To put something like that on skincare without specifying is criminal. My dermatologist had to remind me multiple times to discontinue use after 2-3 weeks.

[@oncersm7884]

From your review I’ve been using the glow recipe toner and LOVE IT! I was wondering if you had any cleanser or moisturizer recommendations that aren’t insanely pricey?

[@JlNXED]

I remember all the hype for their products well years later after finally being able to afford them I tried the toner and it messed with my skin so bad I tried to use it up since I bought it but couldn’t get halfway through the bottle and didn’t feel right passing it along to family. It’s a scary thought to know that this happened. I have sensitive skin and am cautious of ingredients, I can’t remember what it was in theirs that upset my skin idk if it was because they have alcohol or something else but it made my skin red and itchy and irritated and often burn and I would break out after. It’s helpful to hear this about hydrocortisone crème as I use it for hives on my neck and chest and shoulders I believe I get because of my hormonal imbalance and didn’t realize it made you more sensitive to the sun !

[@lauramitchell228]

After Proactiv stopped working for me, my mom brought home the Mario Badescu kit. I only used it ince or twice and decided I hated it. It smelled super strong and was way too drying for my sensitive skin. After watching this im super glad i didn't try to "give it a chance." I've been prescribed Triamcinilone (sp?) for a skin parasite! It's endemic to a popular lake where i live, lots of people get it every year, it's only active like two weeks a year. But I had very specific instructions on only using it twice a day, and not on my face (luckily didn't get any infections on my face anyway.) I would be so pissed to find that was secretly in a product specifically meant for my face!

[@kaebaelyn]

Went to a new derm recently and she was really nice but when I mentioned I went through topical steroid withdrawal two years ago she said it wasn't real and that kind of broke my heart a little bit since I was really liking her but to be told the my experience wasn't real hurt a little bit.

[@JuiceRodent]

Coming back to watch this video because my face has a bit of a chemical burn and I had recently used the MB glycolic foaming cleanser and I’m connecting the dots. Straight to the trash!

[@MillieBarnes]

I totally agree with you about this brand. Someone gave me a sample of it way back in the 90s and I thought it was just trash. It just seemed like it was watered down junk and I've been shocked to hear several celebrities say that they used it exclusively. I can't imagine why.

[@procnina]

My God! Almost fell from the sofa at the beginning of the video! I'm not a great Mario Badescu user, but I bought that 3 spray waters package and honestly I love them! They're cheap priced and that's why I bought them, cos I Always bring one with me, I like to spray something from time to time on my face during the day, especially while at work where is really hot and dry. I'll surely won't throw them away before they're finished, but at this point I don't know if I'll purchase them again...

[@alluliih1243]

As someone who has battled with atopic eczema my whole life and have had to use hydrocortisone and stronger topical steroids I can’t believe they snuck steroids into daily cream!! In my steroid creams it always states to only use for 2 weeks max. It may use thinning of the skin if used incorrectly. Also I hate the steroids bc they only cover the symptoms but don’t really help for the actual problem. I’m trying so hard to survive without them. Love your videos❤

[@pagespurls]

omg i had no idea about this. now i'm worried. the mario badescu special cucumber lotion seems like the only thing that actually helps my acne, so i still use that one. i used to use those stupid sprays and oh my godddd they irritated my skin. same thing with one of their moisturizers. that toner though... nothing else works like it does. every other toner just seems to dry out my skin. RIP lol. i also use pretty strong steroid creams to help with rashes and severe inflamation, but at least those are prescribed by my dermatologist and have instructions on when and for how long i can use them - and i know what they are.

[@jenniferandthings]

When i was around 13 - 15 i used to use Mario bedescu a lot. It helped improved my skin but then when i was 16 i started to break out again and mario bedescu had made my skin even worse. It felt very harsh on my skin. It wasnt until i was 17 that i invested into korean skincare that helped clear my skin

[@laurentoren]

i use 2 separate eczema creams, one with hydrocortisone and one with triamcimolone. i never use them together and was told to NEVER use triamcimolone on the face, even on my eczema. i use them as instructed by a doctor and even i notice weird pigment changes in my skin.

[@sheachildress4472]

That’s literally so scary! To just completely lie about what’s in a product! I’m surprised they didn’t get in more trouble with regulation agencies (FDA or whatever) I would never trust that company again after that!

[@jacq.v4035]

As someone that went through Topical Steroid Withdrawal this is so scary and awful! TSW literally ruined my life, was very suicidal. I’m on Dupixent now because of it.

[@xjustacatx]

I almost caved into the Mario Badescu hype train at the peak of my acne days. This was around 2011-12. Every skincare blog I looked up would recommanded MB as the acne cure all. If I was a broke student back then I would've bought it all.