5 Questions About Mandelic Acid Answered
What Can Mandelic Acid Do for Your Skin?
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Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that’s derived from bitter almonds. It has a larger molecular structure than other AHAs, so it absorbs into the skin more slowly and doesn’t cause irritation that can trigger hyperpigmentation. It also has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and micro-exfoliating properties. And because it acts to inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme that stimulates melanin production, it’s also a natural brightener.
Mandelic Acid Starter System is a complete four step skin care regimen for all skin types and tones. Developed by Dr. James E. Fulton, Mandelic Wash, Skin Nourishing Toner, 8% Mandelic Acid Toner and Day treatment Lotion SPF 15 are formulated to work synergistically to get results quickly.
When do I use Mandelic Acid?
A Mandelic Acid skin care regimen is an excellent choice if you are looking to target acne, dark spots, and texture especially in sensitive skin.
Mandelic Acid is a multi-tasking AHA that can be used in both an AM and PM regimen. The skin care regimen can include cleansers, toners, and serums. Always use an SPF in your daily routine because mandelic is an AHA, which can make skin more sun-sensitive.
Can You use Mandelic Acid with Retinol?
Both mandelic acid and retinol are used to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and photoaging, but they have different mechanisms of action. Mandelic acid clears dead cells from the skin's surface through chemical exfoliation, loosening the cellular bonds between dead cells to slough them away. Retinoids act on receptors in the deeper layers of the skin to accelerate cell turnover and stimulate functions that improve the skin's texture, tone, and volume.
Retinoids work best when combined with an antibacterial for acne and a brightening agent for hyperpigmentation. Mandelic Acid is much gentler than retinoids and can be used alone to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and photo-aging at a slower rate, which does not cause reactive hyperpigmentation.
If your concern is acne, use a mandelic acid cleanser and toner for the antibacterial properties, along with a mandelic acid serum in the morning and a retinoid serum at night.
Melanin-suppressing properties make mandelic acid a top choice for targeting hyperpigmentation. Retinoids accelerate cell turnover to aid in lifting pigment but do not suppress melanin production. The two can be used together to speed results.
For fine lines, you can use mandelic acid formulations, as well. But to treat more advanced photo-aging, retinoids are still the gold standard.
Is Mandelic Acid Safe?
Mandelic Acid is safe for all skin tones. It is a particularly good choice for skin of color because of its gentler action. It won’t cause irritation that can trigger hyperpigmentation. Mandelic acid is safe for use during pregnancy and nursing and is an excellent choice for treating melasma, acne, and photo-aging. It’s also a favorite among men because it won’t sting when used after shaving and helps eliminate razor bumps and prevent ingrown hairs.
Does Mandelic Acid Cause Purging?
Skin care products with active ingredients accelerate cell turnover, pulling everything to the surface faster, including any pimples that have been forming under the surface. While it can seem like a sudden flare-up, it is a natural process of unclogging pores and ridding the skin of impactions. Mandelic acid’s gentler activity can mean that any purging will be less intense than it might be with a stronger active like retinoids or glycolic acid.
For mild issues or when using Mandelic Acid for the first time, go with the lower percentage. This allows your skin to acclimate. When you feel your skin has reached a maintenance plateau and want to push your results farther, move up to the next percentage.
Comments
Thank you for your excellent wealth of information!!! Not only is your information on your products extremely educational, I greatly appreciate how you make it easy to understand what products are best for your skin and how to apply them!
Re Shay:
It might. The BP and Mandelic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser may make you peel a little because they exfoliate the skin.
I just have a question does the wash make you peel?
I have always enjoyed your comments, but today I found myself taking notes on what I call now my “Vivant knowledge notebook” . I honestly learn more reading your comments than in the esthetics book that I studied while becoming an aesthetician. I love the content you share and I can honestly say that now reading your posts and learning from them has become one of my daily routines.
Thank you for your generosity!