Mario Badescu: Where Legacy Meets What’s Next with President Joseph Cabasso

Mario Badescu began in 1967 when Romanian-born chemist and aesthetician Mario Badescu opened a small facial studio in his New York City apartment, creating simple, effective skincare formulas tailored to individual skin types. What started as a personal approach to skincare grew into a cult New York beauty brand, built around the belief that good skincare should be accessible, uncomplicated, and effective. In 1984, the Cabasso family acquired the business and has kept it privately owned and family-run ever since, preserving the brand’s original philosophy while expanding it into a global skincare name. Today, Mario Badescu products are sold around the world, while the brand continues to operate its iconic New York salon and formulate products in-house. Joseph Cabasso, the company’s president and a member of the family that has owned the brand for more than 40 years, has helped lead its evolution into a modern, globally recognized skincare business. Under Joseph’s leadership, the brand has focused on reaching new generations of consumers without losing the accessibility, straightforward formulas, and New York heritage that made Mario Badescu famous. His approach has been to grow the business while staying true to what has always made the brand different: effective skincare, approachable prices, and a strong sense of authenticity.

In this episode, Joseph also discusses:

The brand still being family owned almost 60 years later

How a 1960s New York facial studio became a global business in 74+ countries

Growing from a tiny apartment operation to a huge physical operation

Martha Stewart has been a customer for more than 40 years

The Drying Lotion became a cult product long before TikTok existed

Why they're obsessed with keeping the products affordable, even during inflation

We hope you enjoy this episode and gain valuable insights into Joseph's journey and the growth of Mario Badescu. Don't forget to subscribe to the Glam & Grow podcast for more in-depth conversations with the most incredible brands, founders, and more.

Be sure to check out Mario Badescu at www.mariobadescu.com and on Instagram at @mariobadescu