Must-Have Mandelic Acid Skincare Products For Acne Skin Types

Skincare concerns like acne and hyperpigmentation can feel overwhelming, mainly when UV rays cause an aversive reaction. But suppose your go-to products aren't doing the trick. In that case, mandelic acid is a solid active ingredient that elevates your complexion while controlling the build-up of unwanted oily bumps and bacteria.

To learn how to use mandelic acid with your current skincare routine, Skin Beauty asked a few board-certified licensed estheticians to research the benefits of this ingredient, along with a few products that will save your skin.

What is mandelic acid?

Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (also known in short as AHA), a common exfoliating ingredient in over-the-counter skin care products. Mandelic acid is derived from almonds and is often used to address skincare concerns such as dark spots, wrinkles, dullness, aging, and acne. While other AHAs also work as exfoliants, mandelic acid increases cell turnover by dissolving skin cells' bonds. In addition, given its more significant molecular weight, it is much less irritating to the skin than other types of similar AHAs, such as glycolic acid.

What are the benefits of mandelic acid?

One of the great things about this non-irritating ingredient called mandelic acid is its ability to improve various skin concerns such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles, especially for sensitive skin.

Also, this gentle ingredient can accelerate cell turnover, promote collagen production and exfoliate your skin while removing dead skin cells. As a result, it improves the skin's appearance while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and sun damage.

How to use mandelic acid in your skincare routine:

Mandelic acid can be used with other skincare ingredients, for example, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C, squalane, ceramides, and other hydrating ingredients.

Often, it's found in chemical peeling agents with multiple ingredients. However, always seek a board-certified dermatologist or esthetician for professional-strength chemical peels if you want to try one for the first time.

We recommend implementing a small amount of mandelic acid into your evening skincare routine once a week after cleansing and moisturizing to ensure skin tolerability; another option is to use a mandelic wash in the shower to moisturize once you dry. After adding mandelic acid into your routine, you can increase the use from once to twice or thrice a week in smaller concentrations.

Mandelic acid spot treatment for acne scars

The antibacterial nature of mandelic acid makes it very effective at clearing active breakouts and blemishes to prevent scarring. It combines its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to slowly and gently penetrate the skin and effectively exfoliate the skin's surface without overly drying. Finally, you have the perfect acid for acne-prone skin.

How often should you use mandelic acid?

How often you use mandelic acid depends on how your skin reacts. Cut down to every other day if you commonly have acid reactions like redness, stinging, or breakouts. Also, it can increase sun sensitivity since it exfoliates the skin.

Pair mandelic acid with an SPF 30 sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. But, of course, you can always pair it with hydrating products like hyaluronic acid, and mandelic acid should not be used together with any form of retinoids.

The 5 best mandelic acid products to buy:

Glo Skin Beauty Hydra-Bright Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant

This exfoliant combines 5 alpha-hydroxy acids to smooth skin and minimize fine lines. According to the brand's clinical study, 94% of people who used this product experienced clearer skin after one month.

PCA Skin Pore Refining Treatment

Absorb all the oil from your skin with this 3-in-one treatment. The formula delivers physical and cellular exfoliation to minimize pore size while smoothing skin.

Face Reality Mandelic Face and Body Wash

A gentle cleaner with powerful cleansing abilities formulated for people who care about what they put on their bodies, this savvy addition to the bathroom will help you maintain healthy skin and prevent blemishes while providing a refreshing experience.

Rhonda Allison Mandelic Rejuvenator

This exfoliant uses mandelic acid to reveal healthier and smoother skin. Antioxidants protect from environmental damage for a brighter complexion. Collagen and elastin synthesis is improved to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while antibacterial properties help with occasional blemishes.

BiON Mandelic 5% Toner Pads

Tone, exfoliate and brighten using pads that combine the benefits of mandelic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, and essential oils to produce a toner for mature skin, as well as acne-prone skin that is convenient and easy to use.

Is mandelic acid safe for sensitive skin or use during pregnancy?

There's a small risk of side effects when using any new acid-based skin care product on sensitive skin. Some can use mandelic acid with no issues, but you should quit using this AHA if you experience irritation, including:

• redness
• swelling
• itching

If skin irritation develops after a few days or weeks of using mandelic acid, overuse may be the main issue. Reduce the number of times you use products containing mandelic acid daily to see if your skin improves. You should also discuss this issue with a dermatologist or esthetician and follow their recommendations. But, again, we say yes, mandelic acid is very safe to use on sensitive skin.

Alpha hydroxy acids like mandelic acid, lactic, and glycolic acid are safe during pregnancy. These natural exfoliators help to stimulate cell renewal and collagen production.

CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE SHORT ON MANDELIC ACID HERE