Fortunately, many skincare products contain ingredients that address these specific issues while improving the overall appearance of the skin. Mandelic acid is one such beneficial ingredient.
Although there is not much research on this alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), it is gentle on the skin and can help with acne, skin texture, hyperpigmentation, and aging.
What is mandelic acid?
Mandelic acid is not a new or secret ingredient that we have never heard of before; it is just another form of an ingredient that we know and love for its ability to enhance the appearance of our skin. It is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs have beneficial effects on the skin because they loosen the connections between the affected surface skin cells (called desmosomes), allowing for the natural shedding of cells, resulting in fresher, brighter skin.
Almond acid comes from almonds. All AHA exfoliants have exfoliating effects (plus, they increase sun sensitivity, making sunscreen an essential part of any AHA treatment). It is often combined with other ingredients and functions to improve skin texture through exfoliation. What makes almond acid unique is its molecular structure. It may be gentler on the skin, as its molecular weight is more prominent than that of glycolic acid (another type of AHA), and it penetrates the skin more slowly.
What does almond acid do?
So what are the benefits of almond acid for the skin? Here are some of these benefits:
Exfoliating: Almond acid is a chemical exfoliant that interacts with the skin (instead of exfoliating with a scrubbing brush), destroying the layers of old skin cells.
Promotes cell turnover: Almond acid enhances cell turnover by releasing skin cells that are stuck to the surface of the skin, reducing the appearance of skin damage or acne.
Brightens the skin: Exfoliated skin appears brighter, and almond acid takes it a step further by strengthening the skin, keeping it radiant with continuous use.
Reduces hyperpigmentation: The increased cell turnover and exfoliating properties mean that the acid reduces the appearance of dark spots and sun damage.
You can also expect the average peeling benefits from almond acids, such as supporting cell turnover for skin tightening. This is particularly suitable for reducing pore size and enhancing skin radiance.In the case of acne-prone skin, the pores can become clogged, making mandelic acid a good choice for cleansing and softening the skin. If you have sensitive skin, mandelic acid exfoliation may be the best solution.
How to use mandelic acid?
So what should mandelic acid users pay attention to? In other words, how do we use mandelic acid? Just like with any regular exfoliation, avoid using retinol at least 3-5 days prior. Stop using retinol before using mandelic acid, and avoid contact with acidic treatments at least two weeks beforehand. Additionally, this peel should not be applied to tanned or sunburned skin. Otherwise, mandelic acid is mostly safe to combine with many other products.
Considering that it is gentler, it can be combined with other active ingredients. After use, it is advisable to avoid any activities that cause sweating.The best thing to do at this time is definitely to protect ourselves against sun exposure, as our skin becomes more sensitive to burns due to the sun's UV rays.
Can we use mandelic acid every day?
Mandelic acid should be applied as part of the nighttime skincare routine after cleansing the skin. Therefore, if we use a mandelic acid product, we can incorporate it into our daily and nighttime skincare.