The Ordinary Mandelic Acid, Reviewed

Another day, another reason to add more of The Ordinary’s skincare to your already bulging collection. This time we’re shining the spotlight on Mandelic Acid 10% + HA, the gentler, younger sister in the AHA family. If the reviews alone have anything to say about it, this skincare underdog has the potential to change all your bad skin days into good skin days, so let’s investigate…

Anyone who has used AHAs will know how effective they are at exfoliating the top layer of the skin for a brighter, clearer complexion. But anyone who has used AHAs will also know how harsh they can be on sensitive and damage skin. Mandelic acid is different. The gentle formula works to effectively resurface, smooth, and brighten the skin without irritating sensitive skin types.

Mandelic acid has a larger molecular weight which makes the milder of the AHA gang. This larger size allows mandelic acid to penetrate the skin more slowly, which makes the exfoliant more suited to sensitive skin types. Exfoliation with a mild acid like Mandelic Acid 10% + HA can help to remove dead skin cells and excess oil for a brighter, clearer complexion.

The milder, gentler exfoliation of mandelic acid makes this AHA suitable for all skin types. You heard that right sensitive skin! The acid penetrates the skin more slowly that other acids and peeling solutions, which means it’s not as harsh on the top layer of the skin. If your skin is super sensitive, mandelic acid can be diluted into other treatments, such as moisturiser, to reduce the strength until your skin develops tolerance.

As we know, using a gentle exfoliant like mandelic acid helps to remove dead skin cells and excess oil so you have less build-up sitting on your skin. Using mandelic acid regularly, concentrating on areas effected by millia, can help to treat and prevent those little white bumps by clearing build-up and helping your moisturisers and treatments can penetrate the skin further.

Find out more about treating millia here.

All products containing an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun and the risk of sunburn. Use Mandelic Acid 10% + HA in the evening and wear an SPF the following day to reduce the risk of sun damage to the skin.

“If you want to try exfoliation but you’re not sure where to start or how your skin reacts, you NEED this in your life. Subtle yet effective, this acid reduces oiliness, helps to improve skin texture, helps you fight breakouts. Sometimes my pimples pop/open up by themselves and when it happens I apply mandelic acid on top to make sure they do not reappear and simply dry down & go away – WORKS. EVERY. TIME.” 

Kaye

“I was a little sceptical having used AHA product’s before and seeing no results and sometimes skin irritation, but this really works. After one use 80% of my texture was gone and larger problem areas such as millia and acne scars were reduced. No irritation whatsoever, really gentle and soothing to use. Product is sticky for around 20 mins after application but sinks into skin well.”

Rose

“I was really surprised with how well this works. I bought it because I was getting a lot of small red spots around my chin and on my nose (not cystic). After a week of using this they have all cleared up and haven’t come back! You definitely need to give it time to sink in though as it is quite oily – I normally put it on then wait half an hour before putting on my night cream.”

Molly

“This product has visibly reduced my acne and my mum asked what I’ve been doing because my skin looks amazing! A few words of warning: Before I go to bed, I use this product first and then apply my prescription acne treatment: duac. Although the mandelic acid alone is absolutely fine and doesn’t cause irritation, the two products together cause redness and stinging which Can be quite uncomfortable. By time i wake up in the morning, my skin is absolutely fine though! I also have eczema and this product really dried my skin out for the first week or two, but my skin seems to have got used to it now.”

Maddy

“Absolutely love this, I am a beauty therapist and I’ve tried so many over the years but this has to be my favourite, leaves a tingly feeling on the skin and my skin is brighter the next day.”

Hannah

“Reading reviews some had said this product made them break out. Because of this I only applied this product to my jawline (where my breakout is at the moment) last night for the first time. I have woken up this morning redness has gone the lumps and bumps have gone my skin is pretty much smooth I just have some some faded marks. I have been using instanatural retinol at night only for 3 days and then this once and I have already noticed a difference in my skin. Mandeclic acid had antibacterial properties I think so maybe that’s why my skin seems to have healed quickly. My skin is very oily, and this product hasn’t given me any more breakouts.”

Emma

“I use few drops every night. Just in 7 days, it help clearing all my black heads and even white heads! And my dull skin has never been as bright as now. I love it! Drawback: it a bit dries my skin and makes my dynamic folds more obvious. Maybe I need to add more moisturiser.”

SYHK

“Wonderful product, easy to apply, made my skin feel so soft and glowing. Feels alittle greasy when first applied but soaks into your skin, thumbs up for The Ordinary!!!”

Dottie

“I am obsessed with this oil. I have very dry, sensitive skin and this has made such an improvement after only a week! I use it every evening under moisturiser. I’ve had a lot of marks and scars from precious breakouts and this has helped fade them already. Plus my skin is smoother than it’s been in a long time.”

Beast

“It saved me and my acne skin for real! In a short time I noticed the change. At the first beginning I was skeptical because I never used acid before. But the result really surprised me and now I cannot live without this product.”

Emma