I’m really into acids right now. I’ve always liked mild exfoliation, both chemical and physical, and I’m truly embracing light acids these days. After a deep dive into azelaic acid, it left my skin looking clean, renewed, and glowy, so now I’m trying other acids to improve things even more. Next on my list: mandelic acid. It’s been in my routine for 4 weeks now, and I’m already seeing results! Keep reading to find out why I’m a fan of this gentle yet effective ingredient.
Why I’m Trying Out Mandelic Acid
I’m an employee of Renown Organic Skin Care, which means I get to test all of our products. Since I’m deep into my acid phase, I looked at the ingredient lists and found mandelic acid in the Intense Skin Licorice Root Exfoliating Peel, a results-oriented, deep-cleansing peel that is applied to the skin with dual-textured cotton rounds. In addition to mandelic acid, this liquid solution contains licorice root, which promotes skin elasticity and brightens the appearance of the skin. It also includes baobab, an antioxidant-rich fruit, and clary sage oil, known for balancing the appearance of oily skin. It even contains my other new BFF, azelaic acid, which helps to reduce the appearance of redness and pore size, leaving the skin smooth and revitalized.
Before I share the results of using mandelic acid in my skincare routine, here’s a refresher on what this acid can do for your skincare regimen.
What Is Mandelic Acid? Acids In Skin Care
A quick refresher on acids: they’ve been a skincare staple for decades and continue to be a popular choice. They are powerful yet gentle, which makes them a great addition to many routines.
There are many options depending on your needs: PHAs, BHAs, and AHAs. In addition to helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acids are also known to improve the look of scarring, even out skin tone, and allow other skincare products to penetrate better for optimal results in your routine.
Mandelic acid is a mild alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from bitter almonds. AHAs are chemical exfoliants known to help loosen the top layer of older skin cells and improve the skin’s overall appearance by reducing visible signs of aging. Other benefits of AHAs include being water-soluble, targeting dullness and dehydration, and leaving skin with a smoother texture and smaller-looking pores. Some AHAs are more intense (hello, glycolic acid) due to their smaller molecule size. The smaller the molecule, the deeper it penetrates the outer layer of skin. Mandelic acid has a larger molecular size, meaning it doesn’t penetrate as deeply as some other acids, making it more easily tolerated by sensitive skin. In short, it’s generally less irritating, which is why it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin. Since I deal with signs of aging, uneven skin tone, and dehydration, mandelic acid seemed like the next logical step in my skincare journey.
The Benefits of Mandelic Acid
Gentle On All Skin Types
As mentioned, mandelic acid is gentler compared to other AHAs, so it’s well-tolerated by even the most sensitive skin. According to Healthline, mandelic acid speeds up cell turnover and acts as a powerful exfoliant to remove dead skin cells. This leads to a brighter complexion without causing irritation.
Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles
AHAs like mandelic acid penetrate the skin to break down cell bonds and remove damaged, older skin cells, bringing fresh, firmer-looking cells to the surface. In the process of chemical exfoliation, mandelic acid helps remove damaged skin cells, allowing “baby” skin cells to rise to the surface, making the skin appear stronger, plumper, and more elastic. This reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin looking smooth.
Improves the Appearance of Dark Spots
The cell turnover caused by mandelic acid may also help reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin, whether caused by sun damage or acne marks. It’s another example of out with the old (dead skin) and in with the new.
Treats Acne-Prone Skin
Because it can work its way into pores and penetrate more gradually (and deeply) than other acids, mandelic acid is great for acne and clogged pores, especially for those with sensitive skin. Unlike harsher options that can cause irritation, mandelic acid provides gentle yet effective exfoliation, breaking through the “adhesive” that keeps dead skin stuck in clogged pores, clearing them out and leaving skin looking fresh, clean, and clear.
How I Incorporated Mandelic Acid Into My Routine
As a new addition to my nighttime skincare routine, I began using the Bright Skin Licorice Root Exfoliating Peel three times a week as the second step after cleansing my skin with the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser. I apply 2 pumps of the clear liquid to textured cotton pads and apply it all over my face, neck, and chest (the area most sun-damaged from my younger years). I let it dry, and that’s it. On these nights, I skip my Facial Healing Oil, which I use the other four nights of the week as the last step before bed.
After 4 weeks, I’m really liking what I see. Not only does my complexion look more even—especially those dark sun spots on my chest—but my skin feels hydrated and refreshed, which isn’t always the case with exfoliators. I’ve definitely had dry skin with harsher exfoliators in the past, but not even a flake with this gentle one. I’d like to say I see a slight reduction in my fine lines, but maybe that’s just wishful thinking. It’s definitely noticeable enough to make me stick with this new routine for a while to see if the results continue.
A happy customer, Lauri B., left an online review calling the peel a “game changer” and shared similar results: “I am a huge fan of the Bright Skin collection, which has helped significantly fade the appearance of sun and age spots… I noticed my complexion is more even, glowing, and brighter. I also noticed my pores appear smaller, and my skin looks more refined. Highly recommend if you are looking to give your brightening routine an added boost.”
One thing to note is that, since it’s an AHA, there’s always the risk of photosensitivity. While it’s lessened with this mild acid, you still can’t forget to wear sunscreen every day. But you knew that! My favorite these days is the Daily Defense Tinted SPF because it’s lightweight, provides a natural finish, and gives just a touch of color. It’s also an all-mineral formula, enriched with antioxidants and blue-light protection. What’s not to love?
I’m really happy with this new acid and excited about the results so far. I’m looking forward to what another few months of use will do!