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How to Best Use Mandelic Acid for Skincare Benefits

December 10, 2020 · 1 Comment

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 that comes from bitter almonds

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:

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

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.
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.
Taylor MB. Summary of mandelic acid for the improvement of skin conditions. Cosmet Dermatol 1999;12:26-8
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.

Sponsored Post: Beauty Wellness with the Eucerin “Prepare to Repair” Video Series

February 22, 2018 · 34 Comments

Here at Style Chicks, we love the concept of Beauty Wellness: the things you do for your wellbeing that have an added beauty benefit, whether it is better posture, better sleep, or simply doing something that puts a glowing smile on your face. There is also no denying that we are huge skincare enthusiasts here, and we know you are too. The folks at Eucerin have combined Skincare and Beauty Wellness into a fantastic video series called “Prepare to Repair!

The Eucerin “Prepare to Repair” video series has simple, effective tips from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman to help repair skin’s moisture and from Fitness Instructor Kirsten Trued to help repair muscles. These tips will help optimize your total wellness efforts! In this series, Kirsten teaches a series of exercises that use a small ball for gentle firm pressure, emulating a known therapeutic sports massage technique.

HANDS AND FOREARMS

Our hands endure plenty of wear and tear during the day, ranging from using computer technology gear to washing dishes. The repetitive motion can be grueling to the tendons and muscles of the hand, which makes regular, gentle stretches so beneficial.

Fitness Instructor Kirsten Trued recommends two effective stretches to ease achiness and repair both hands and forearms, while moisturizing skin.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OHcprlx_hw[/embedyt]

ECZEMA CAUSES

Winter wreaks skin havoc, causing dryness and redness, including Eczema flare-ups. To help pre-empt a flare-up, Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme contains colloidal oatmeal that soothes while Ceramide-3 acts a barrier to lock in moisture. I especially like to use this in dry environments such as those with indoor forced air heat, like my office building.

POST WORKOUT ECZEMA RELIEF

Sweating during a workout can provoke eczema breakouts, which means regular workouts can begin a vicious cycle. Eucerin Eczema Relief Flare-Up Treatment Creme is intended for use during an active flare-up. It contains Licochalcone A, a licorice extract which is clinically proven to significantly improve the skin’s appearance during flare-up phases.

The rich-feeling creme is fragrance-, steroid- and dye-free.

BACK AND CHEST

Keeping the muscles in your back, chest, and neck strong and toned is vital for proper posture. Good posture makes you look slimmer and taller, and feel younger and healthier. Have you noticed how people round their shoulders and extendedly bend their necks forward while using their phone, tablets, and laptops? These simple exercises not only will help undo some of the stress we put our neck each day but impart a smoother, more elegant neckline and collarbone.

I’ve been remiss over the years about upper body skin care. While I carefully slather my face and throat with skincare topicals and sunscreen, I’ve been haphazard with my shoulders, decolletage, and upper arms. But these areas all belie age with sun damage, dryness, lack of firmness and wrinkles.

What can be done to compensate for upper body skin neglect? Two Eucerin products that help reverse time are Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion and Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion.

AHA TO PROMOTE FIRMNESS, COLLAGEN, AND SMOOTHER SKIN

Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion contains one of my go-to favorite ingredients: Alpha Hydroxy Acid, also known as AHA. AHA, a natural acid found in foods, is a superstar of the skincare realm. AHA’s are often used in anti-aging products and treatments due to their ability to gently but effectively remove dead skin layers without the unsightly peeling or redness that manual exfoliation can cause.

For those with sensitive skin, AHAs can be drying, but Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion and Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion contain several buffering ingredients that keep skin hydrated enough to stay soft and supple while benefiting from AHA. What a great duo these two make to treat, protect and hydrate!

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVSIAFq7c_8[/embedyt]

As a side note, I find the AHA in Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion quite helpful with Keratosis Pilaris (KP), better known as those “chicken bumps” that appear on upper arms. For optimal skin health, KP treatment requires both exfoliation and hydration which makes Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion and Eucerin Advanced Repair perfect for the job. And I like that they are fragrance-free and absorb quickly without leaving residue on skin or clothes, which is highly preferable to any medicated KP treatment. Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion keeps you hydrated for 48 hours.

QUADS AND HAMSTRINGS

Are your legs sore at the end of the day? Whether from wearing high heels or chasing toddlers the leg muscles often need attention. These exercises work the entire quad and hamstring inch by inch and add in a stretching component for a deep muscle massage. Doing these exercises daily makes legs far more comfortable, even after a busy day on your feet.

And because even skin that is not exposed to the elements can still become very dry, this Eucerin series pairs Eucerin Original Healing Lotion uses simple, safe ingredients to help repair skin. It is paired with the Eucerin Skin Calming Creme for a total beauty wellness leg care plan. The Eucerin Skin Calming Creme is formulated with natural oatmeal to calm skin and keep it moisturized.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC_Q1cYTUM8[/embedyt]

CONCLUSION

The Eucerin “Prepare to Repair” video series makes the most of easy to implement, reparative stretching exercise techniques paired with effective skin products targeted to specific skincare needs. The Eucerin Repair line provides dry, itchy, rough skin with long-lasting hydration, using safe, effective ingredients that are non-irritating. Skin instantly looks and feels so much better. Eucerin replaces the dull, dry look of winter skin with a hydrated and smooth glow that quickly dries down to a non-greasy finish. Warmer weather is just around the corner, and it’s time to get skin ready to be seen. You put time and effort into your beach body workouts, don’t forget your skin!

Style Chicks wrote this article and received compensation for our time and effort. However, the opinions expressed are 100% ours.

How to Use AHA Glycolic Acid for Better Skin

February 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Glycolic Acid (AHA) is the covert operator of the Style Chicks’ Favorite Skincare Ingredients series because it gives suspiciously good, younger-than-expected skin results with virtually no downtime, skin flaking or peeling. Regular AHA peels reveal softer, younger skin with a refined texture, all while reducing pores, fine lines, discoloration, brown spots & acne.

ABOUT GLYCOLIC ACID (AHA)

AHA (also known as Glycolic Acid) works in an unusual way: it loosens the glue that adheres dry, dead skin to healthy skin, and just dissolves away the dead skin. That means skin is left with little to no peeling or sloughing sections, and if done correctly; there is little in the way of dryness, redness or irritation after use. Skin is brighter, younger, softer, with few lines and wrinkles, and it glows like younger skin.

WHY WE LIKE IT

We prefer Glycolic Acid to other types of exfoliants because there is no rough, abrasive scrubbing involved. Scrubbing with or without harsh grains can tear and damage healthy skin. AHA gets the job done with no pulling, tugging, or tearing of the skin, which makes AHA particularly useful to those over 35 or for those with skin conditions such as acne or eczema.

With an AHA peel, there is almost never the uneven peeling that often comes with many chemical peels or scrubs, so there is less post-peel downtime with AHA. Skin is just soft and dewy looking, not red and irritated. While skin can get red and irritated from AHA, as long as it is done properly, irritation will be short-lived, so it makes for an excellent anti-aging product.

GLYCOLIC ACID IS ACNE’S DOWNFALL

As a side benefit, AHA banishes blackheads like nobody’s business. Those oil and sebum pockets just wither in the face of an AHA treatment. While a product like Avon’s Clinical ANEW is geared towards anti-aging measures, a side benefit of AHA use is how quickly stubborn nose blackheads purge from the skin.

WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM AHA?

Delicate and aging skin that benefits from not being pulled and scrubbed by abrasive exfoliants or dermabrasion treatments.
Acne prone skin and skin with stubborn blackheads.
Those who are on Vitamin C Serum and Retinol programs. These products cause newer, younger skin cells to be generated rapidly and require sloughing off the dead skin to be most effective.
Many with eczema report that they can use Glycolic Acid. Talk to your dermatologist about precautions based on your personal skincare profile.

HOW TO USE GLYCOLIC ACID AT HOME

Super effective as an in-office treatment, AHA peels it can be safely done at home with serums under 30%. A 35% AHA is acceptable to use if it contains a deactivating or buffering agent, or it is diluted before application.

New to AHA? Stick with 10% and work your way up to higher concentrations. AHA concentration levels greater than 35% are readily available online, but only professionals should only use these strengths undiluted. Since such excellent results are obtainable with the regular use of lower concentration AHA, don’t be tempted into one “big” peel at a high concentration, it is more risk than benefit.

BEST USE TIPS:

ALWAYS use sunscreen in the days after an AHA peel.
Moisturize well, especially that evening before going to bed.
Do an at-home peel serum at least monthly.
Use only gentle facial cleansers for 24 hours after using AHA.
Some light stinging is to be expected, but if your skin feels a burning sensation or hurts, wash the AHA off immediately.
Apply evenly in a thin coat.

RECOMMENDED AHA GLYCOLIC PRODUCTS

Finding a reputable manufacturer is the primary concern when selecting Glycolic Acids. Choose an AHA designed for consumers, not professionals such as those marketed to a salon. Some Glycolic Acid products we have had success with include:

Serum Ceuticals AHA Pro Grade Glycolic: effective, all natural. We like this line because AHA doesn’t alter newer skin unless it irritates it with chemical additives, and this product has NO chemicals, just natural preservatives.
- One of our fave go-to peels, it can be safely used on even delicate skin areas such as on fine lines around the upper lip.
- Serum Ceuticals AHA comes in 10% and 35% concentrations.
- If you use the 35% AHA, we highly recommend mixing the AHA liquid into a dollop of Beta Glucan cream and applying the mixture to the skin, then applying a layer of Beta Glucan afterward as a moisturizer to soothe the skin and reduce redness and irritation.
InstaNatural Glycolic Facial Peel: skin is instantly brighter when dead skin is swept away in less than a minute, no downtime.
- Paired with Sunflower Oil, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid
- While it does sting delicate areas, once you build a tolerance to the product, it can be used for 10-15 minutes for a highly effective peel. I especially like the acne eliminating properties of this peel.
Avon ANEW Clinical Retexturizing Peel: a whopping 35% AHA soaked pad that comes with a built-in deactivator and soothing Aloe Vera, so it is safe to use at home.
- It stings a bit on sensitive areas at first, like a rubbing alcohol on a paper cut kind of sensation.
- Particular effective on forehead wrinkles and “eleven lines.”
- Use every other day for better texture and brighter skin.
- ANEW Clinical is especially effective at reducing enlarged pores and eliminating blackheads
- TIP: Try using the pads on tell-tale aged skin areas like hands and throat as well

Know of a Glycolic Peel AHA that should be included in this list? Contact us or comment below!

How to Use Glycolic Acid AHA for Better Skin