Fab or flub? Mario Badescu’s Silver Powder promises to work magic on pores

Do you struggle with clogged pores or blackheads? If so, you are not alone.

For as long as I can remember, I have had blackheads on my nose. Throughout my teenage years until now (my late 20s), I’ve tried a variety of skin-care products marketed as destroying blackheads. Unfortunately, no product that I’ve come across has been successful at both getting rid of my blackheads and keeping them from returning.

Then, at the end of last year, I read online about a product that sounded unlike any other blackhead-fighting product I had tried. Available at Ulta ($12), Mario Badescu’s Silver Powder is a loose powder that claims to draw blackheads, excess oils and other impurities out of the skin.

Made with natural ingredients, the powder is applied with water to the face twice a week until your pores are unclogged and your T-zone is free from oils.

After trying out my fair share of sheet masks, serums and strips, I was very interested to find out how this loose powder (which looks suspiciously just like the baking soda in my fridge) would perform.

First impression

If you’ve read any online reviews of Mario Badescu’s Silver Powder, you might have noticed a running theme among of them. The word “messy” appears in just about every single review, and there are many references to the powder getting everywhere.

Although I wish I could say it was all exaggeration, that is, unfortunately, not true. The silver powder is extremely messy and can limit your ability to multitask while you are wearing it.

It is recommended for use one to two times a week. The product is applied by dipping a cotton ball in water, then dipping it in the silver powder. You then press the cotton ball onto your nose, chin or any other area where your pores need a little extra love.

To make this whole process less messy, I found it was best to apply the powder over a sink, so any excess powder that fell could be washed away with ease.

I would also suggest changing into a shirt that won’t break your heart if it gets dirty. During the 10 minutes the product spends on your face, you’ll notice “fallout” around your neckline and shoulders.

Luckily, I can report that the silver powder does not stain and comes out easily in the wash.

To remove the silver powder from your face, take a cotton ball coated in toner or astringent and wipe it away.

Fab or flub?

Flab. If I had to pick one word to describe my experience with Mario Badescu’s Silver Powder, it would be patience. While the product does work, it takes a significant amount of time to see any results.

Since I began using it regularly (a little over a month ago), I have seen a decrease in the size of the pores around my nose, and my skin does look smoother.

However, I’ve yet to notice much of a change in the number of blackheads I have. Some days it seems like there are fewer than the day before, and other days it seems like I’m back at square one.

After reading more online reviews, it appears that some people don’t see a noticeable decrease in blackheads until they have used the product for several months. So far, I’m committed to seeing this messy product through until the end — until I finish the silver powder I purchased.

I remain optimistic that I will continue to see positive results.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Fab or flub? Mario Badescu’s Silver Powder promises to work magic on pores."