How to Best Use Mandelic Acid for Skincare Benefits

SKINCARE GUIDE for Mandelic Acid. What it is and how to use it.

Mandelic Acid is an ingredient worthy of your attention. It gets the results of a robust acid but with little to no skin irritation.

Got acne? Meet Mandelic Acid

Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States. Retinol is often used as an acne remedy. 

But peeling acids are also promising acne and acne scar treatments.

WHAT IS MANDELIC ACID?

 It is a clean beauty “natural” acne fighter. It also fades discoloration from acne scars to age spots.

Mandelic acid is a natural ingredient extracted from bitter almonds

• It is a very gentle AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid).
• It penetrates the skin slowly, making it suitable for even sensitive skin.
• While it is an “acid” it rarely causes skin irritation.
• It is natural, clean, green, and skin-friendly.
• it is useful in organic skin care product formulations.

HOW MANDELIC ACID WORKS: ACNE TO ANTI-AGING

Mandelic acid accelerates cell turnover by dissolving the tiny bonds that hold skin cells together. This microexfoliation accomplishes several skincare objectives.

ACNE

Is Mandelic Acid a good acne treatment?

Yes! Mandelic acid is useful in acne treatment.

• It bacteria-trapping dead skin, which contributes to acne formation. Dead skin also dulls the complexion and makes fine lines look worse. Removing dead skin cells brightens the skin.
• It is anti-bacterial
• an anti-fungal
• an anti-inflammatory
• If you have adult acne, Mandelic acid is ideal to treat both acne and signs of skin aging. [1]

ANTI-AGING

What are the anti-aging benefits of Mandelic Acid?

It has acid several anti-aging skincare benefits. Mandelic acid is:

• helpful for smoothing mesh-like pattern wrinkles
• promotes collagen production. More collagen increases skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance. Collagen counteracts sun damage by smoothing and refining the skin surface. Sun damage is the largest cause of visible signs of aging.
• reduces hyperpigmentation. It lightens acne scars, sun damage, and age spots.
• gentle enough to use it daily.

MANDELIC ACID VS GLYCOLIC ACID

Not sure which aHa is best for your skin? Here is a pros and cons list of benefits.

Which is better Mandelic or glycolic acid?

Similarities

Both acids:

• are highly effective at causing rapid cell turnover.
• reveal younger, smoother, brighter skin.
• dissolve the “glue” holding dead skin cells.
• remove dead skin cells without forceful scrubbing.
• are ideal for skin unable to tolerate harsh exfoliants.

Differences

A difference between the acids is that Mandelic has a larger molecular structure than glycolic acid.

• Smaller molecular structures like Glycolic acid penetrates the skin faster and deeper. [2]
• The larger molecular structure of Mandelic gets the job done, just more slowly than glycolic acid does.

If your skin gets irritated by Glycolic acid, Mandelic is an ideal option. It is kinder to the skin.

There is little to no irritation and redness with regular use. [3]

MANDELIC ACID TIPS FOR BEST USE

• Skin using any acid are more sensitive to light. Always wear sunscreen
• To avoid irritation, choose products with 10% or less Mandelic Acid concentrations
• Don’t mix with other actives including retinol or other aHas.

HYPERPIGMENTATION

What acid will work best for hyperpigmentation on my yellow-tone skin?

Some hyperpigmentation fading ingredients work best on pink undertone skin. Mandelic Acid works on the hyperpigmentation of all skin tone types.

How does it fix dark spots?

It inhibits melanin production in existing scars, age spots, and acne marks. [4]  This reduces hyperpigmentation of all types on all skin tones.

Summary

Mandelic Acid earns our “Holy Grail Ingredient” rating because it can:

• reduce sun damage, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
• gently exfoliate and improve skin texture. 
• work on all skin tones and textures, including mature and sensitive skin.
• It is also natural and suitable for organic product formulations.

It is a Style Chicks skincare superstar!

Mandelic Acid is a great addition to a natural ingredient, organic skin care plan.

a natural ingredient that comes from bitter Almonds

About Skincare Ingredient Guides

Was this Skincare Ingredient Guide helpful? Then you may like other Ingredient Guides such as:

• Red Raspberry Seed Oil
• Black Cumin Seed Oil
• Rosehip Seed Oil

Find more natural ingredients in the Style Chicks Defining Beauty Glossary. The Defining Beauty Glossary contains many helpful hair and skin care ingredients plus skincare guides for best use and maximum benefits.

Want to know more about natural ingredients that support Collagen type III production? Read about Shisiedo’s Groundbreaking study in this article.

Thinking about jumping starting your collagen enhancement with an at-home skin device?

You may enjoy reading our interview with ENDYMED, the makers of the FDA-approved NEWA device in our article entitled “ENDYMED ANSWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT NEWA AT-HOME SKIN-TIGHTENING”

REFERENCES

1. Debowska, Renata & Kaszuba, Aleksandra & Michalak, Iwona & Dzwiga‚owska, Agata & Cie›ci„ska, Czanita & Jakimiuk, El bieta & Zielia„ska, Joanna & Kaszuba, Andrzej. (2015). Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of mandelic acid-containing cosmetic formulations for acne skin care. Dermatology Review. 4. 316-321. 10.5114/dr.2015.53419.
2. Garg VK, Sinha S, Sarkar R. Glycolic acid peels versus salicylic-mandelic acid peels in active acne vulgaris and post-acne scarring and hyperpigmentation: A comparative study. Dermatol Surg 2009;35:59-65.
3. Taylor MB. Summary of mandelic acid for the improvement of skin conditions. Cosmet Dermatol 1999;12:26-8
4. Kessler E, Flanagan K, Chia C, Rogers C, Glaser DA. Comparison of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid chemical peels in the treatment of mild to moderately severe facial acne vulgaris. Dermatol Surg 2008;34:45-50.