It belongs to the AHA group of acids, is gentler on the skin than glycolic acid, for example, and can help with acne, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and aging. Stay tuned to learn more about mandelic acid and its effects on the skin.
What is mandelic acid?
It is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs are beneficial for the skin because they loosen the bonds between cells, allowing for natural cell sloughing, resulting in fresher, smoother, more even skin.
All AHAs have an exfoliating effect, which causes the above-mentioned process, causing dead skin cells to fall off the skin surface (in addition, it increases photosensitivity, so the use of sunscreen is an essential part of every AHA treatment). It often happens that it is combined with other active ingredients, or even added to creams and various products, because it is a super active ingredient, it has a super effect. on the skin. What makes mandelic acid truly unique is its molecular structure. It is gentler on the skin because its molecular weight is higher (152.1 daltons) than glycolic acid (another type of AHA, which has a molecular size of 76 daltons) and therefore penetrates the skin more slowly. That is why we strongly recommend it for sensitive skin.
What does mandelic acid do?
So what are the benefits of mandelic acid for the skin? Here are some of those benefits:
Exfoliant: Mandelic acid is a chemical exfoliant that reacts with the skin (instead of exfoliating with a scrub), removing dead skin cells, but there are some that do more than just dissolve dead skin.
Promotes cellular oxygenation: Mandelic acid enhances cellular oxygenation by releasing epithelial cells stuck to the skin's surface, reducing the appearance of skin damage or acne, preventing the skin from becoming clogged, and improving skin respiration, which, if not functioning properly, can cause a number of problems.
Reduces hyperpigmentation: The acid reduces the appearance of dark spots, especially post-acne spots and sun damage.
Antibacterial: A perfect choice against acne, as its antibacterial effect improves the condition of acne-prone skin by acting on the bacteria responsible for acne.
How to use mandelic acid?
So what should people using mandelic acid pay attention to? In other words, how do they use mandelic acid? If you have sensitive skin, avoid using retinol at least two days before exfoliation. It is also not recommended to use an exfoliating treatment that is performed by a doctor or beautician for at least 2 weeks before using mandelic acid. It is also strongly recommended to avoid using mandelic acid if your skin's protective layer (barrier) is damaged, you feel burning, stinging, pulling, etc. It can be combined with many super active ingredients. Using sunscreen is mandatory, and if you spend a lot of time outdoors, your skin is exposed to a lot of sunlight, or if summer is just approaching and you can't pay proper attention to regular sun protection, then it's better to avoid it for a while.
Can I use it every day?
Mandelic acid should be used as part of your nightly skincare routine after cleansing your skin. Even though it is gentler, it is not recommended to use it every day, but rather 2-3 times a week, after your skin has adjusted to it.