Mandelic Acid: Men, This Is Your Perfect Ingredient

Mandelic acid is a gentle alpha hydroxy acid that fights acne and addresses skin issues associated with shaving, making it a hero ingredient for men.

Acne, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, irritation. Men have their own skin issues. Mandelic acid is a multi-tasking hero that takes on all of them with stellar results. The antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, brightener targets acne, prevents ingrown hairs, soothes razor bumps, and calms irritation, making it the ultimate must-have in every man’s skincare routine.

In this blog:

• Understanding Mandelic Acid
• Differences In Male Skin
• Benefits of Mandelic Acid for Men
• How to Use Mandelic Acid
• Best Mandelic Acid Products for Men

Understanding Mandelic Acid

Mandelic is a gentle alpha hydroxy acid. Like its better-known counterpart, glycolic acid, mandelic exfoliates the skin by dissolving the cellular glue that binds dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, healthier complexion. Mandelic acid is gentler than glycolic acid because its large molecular structure slows its absorption into the skin.

Differences In Male Skin

A man’s skin is thicker and has greater collagen density than a woman’s, which means it will age at a slightly slower pace. Men tend to experience more acne and oiliness because they have more sebum-producing androgen hormones and more sebaceous glands, making pores appear larger and more visible. Regular shaving also impacts men’s skin, leading to irritation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs.

Benefits of mandelic acid for men’s skin

Acne Fighter: Antibacterial and exfoliating properties combat acne-causing bacteria, reduce sebum, and clear dead cells from pores to give mandelic acid the edge in the battle for clear skin.

Post-Shave Soother: With slow absorption, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties, mandelic acid alleviates irritation, soothes razor bumps, and prevents ingrown hairs.

Pore Minimizer: Decongesting pores without drying, mandelic acid dissolves oil and refines skin texture for a healthy, smooth appearance.

Pigment Corrector: Inhibiting melanocyte activity, mandelic acid prevents excess pigment from forming and disperses surface pigment through gentle exfoliation.

For overall improvement in tone and texture, mandelic acid is the MVP of AHAs.

How to Use Mandelic Acid

You’ll find mandelic acid as the key ingredient in cleansers, toners, and serums. You can use mandelic acid in your morning and evening skincare routine. However, if you’re targeting acne and signs of aging, you may want to use mandelic acid in the morning and retinoids at night. 

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.

Best Mandelic Acid Products for Men

Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser: Unclogs pores, prevents breakouts, and promotes a healthy skin barrier. 

Daily Repair Pads: Pore minimizing, texture refining, healing, and calming in a simple swipe. 

8% Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Serum: “Magic in a bottle” for smooth, clear, even toned skin.

Rakesh R., a recent convert, attests to the transformative power of mandelic acid:

“The only products of their kind that actually work. The tightness, clarity, and overall glow is INSANE! I can't believe how my skin has changed. I'm really a believer in the power of mandelic acid. The investment was worth it.” —Rakesh R.

For more tips especially for guys, watch our video on men’s skin care.