Mandelic Acid

What is it?

Mandelic acid is derived from bitter almonds. It’s an AHA that’s been mostly studied for use with acne. AHAs are natural and synthetic ingredients that provide skin care benefits ranging from exfoliation to increasing hydration and firmness.

Benefits for your skin?

One main benefit of mandelic acid is that it may be more gentle on the skin compared to other AHAs. This makes it an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin. This gentleness seems to be due to mandelic acid being one of the largest AHAs, and as a result, it penetrates the skin at a slower rate. This makes it less irritating on the skin.

Mandelic acid also improves skin appearance because it promotes collagen production, which is the main protein found in skin and connective tissue.

Results from using this acid vary from person to person, but some people notice a difference in their complexion and appearance after a couple of weeks.

How to use in your skincare routine?

You need to consider doing a patch test before using mandelic acid for the first time to see if they can tolerate it. People should start at lower concentrations and apply it no more than once a week.

You should also avoid using it with other chemical peels and exfoliants, such as retinol, other AHAs, and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Overusing chemical peels and exfoliants may lead to over-exfoliation, which can cause skin sensitivity and breakouts.