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What is Mandelic Acid and Why is Everyone Talking About it?
Every few months, a new skincare ingredient comes into the spotlight to take over beauty headlines and dominate the market. Between Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol, Ceramides and Centella, it seems we never run out of interesting new ingredients to fixate on.
One such ingredient is Mandelic Acid, which has recently earned a spot in the skincare routines of many. However, Mandelic Acid is not just another skincare fad that will come, go, and eventually end up in the back of everyone’s medicine cabinets. With its diverse range of benefits and gentler impact on the skin, OROGOLD is here to argue that multitasking Mandelic Acid is here to stay.
What is Mandelic Acid?
One of the star components behind OROGOLD’s Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid, the ingredient is an AlphaHydroxy Acid or AHA. Like other AHAs, it exfoliates the skin, but does so gently.
Here’s the catch: Mandelic Acid isn’t your run-of-the-mill AHA. Derived from bitter almonds, Mandelic Acid molecules are larger compared to other AHAs like Glycolic Acid. This means that it sinks in and penetrates at a slower rate, thus slimming the chances of causing irritation. It’s gentler, but just as effective.
Why Exfoliate in the First Place?
Exfoliation is often treated as an optional step in skincare, when in fact, it should be considered non-negotiable.
It’s human nature: our skin lets go of dead skin cells every month to welcome a new batch of cells. However, there is a tendency for dead cells not to shed off completely. This can eventually lead to clogged pores, dry patches, or flaking skin.
With new cells entering the picture every 30 days or so, regular exfoliation is the least we can do to help our skin out. But it is important to remember that unlike cleansing or moisturizing, exfoliating too often can cause sensitivity, which is why experts recommend exfoliating on a weekly basis.
The Different Methods of Exfoliation
There are a number of ways to exfoliate the skin. Consider any of these three types:
- Physical exfoliation entails the need for rubbing, scrubbing, or manually working the skin to facilitate the removal of dead skin cells. Physical exfoliation can be done through a variety of means like skincare products or tools. Popular physical exfoliation methods include scrubs with small particles or granules, rubbing the face with a textured towel, or cleansing with a facial brush.
- Chemical exfoliation, on the other hand, harnesses a carefully formulated combination of acids, retinol, or other skincare ingredients to slough off dead skin. Unlike physical exfoliation, this does not require scrubbing at the skin. Instead, chemical exfoliants are patted onto the skin to work from the inside out.
- Combining both physical and chemical exfoliation methods is also possible. Several skincare products combine chemical and physical exfoliants in a single product to target dead skin more effectively. One such product is the Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid from OROGOLD.
Where Does Mandelic Acid Fall Then?
As an acid, Mandelic Acid is a chemical exfoliator, able to penetrate the skin to improve its appearance. Due to its multiple benefits and gentler impact on the skin, Mandelic Acid can be strategically combined with other ingredients for even better, more drastic results.
Skin Benefits of Mandelic Acid
Like all AHAs, Mandelic Acid assists the skin in shedding dead cells. But that’s not the only trick this ingredient has up its sleeve.
Mandelic Acid also serves up the following skincare benefits:
- Reduces the look of hyperpigmentation
- Brightens the appearance of the skin
- Minimizing the visibility of enlarged pores
- Gives the skin a smoother and more elastic look
The Risks of Mandelic Acid
A general rule of thumb to remember when introducing acids to your routine is this: proceed with caution. Due to their chemical composition, acids can potentially irritate those with sensitive-prone skin.
However, Mandelic Acid is something of an exception. Unlike other AHAs, which can deal harsh effects on the skin, Mandelic Acid is extremely gentle. Side effects of this ingredient are mild at worst. Regardless, dermatologists recommend patch testing all products that you are using for the first time.
Ingredients to Layer with Mandelic Acid
While Mandelic Acid serves up its fair share of skincare benefits, it works even better in tandem with other ingredients that draw out its full potential. Mandelic Acid can be paired with vitamins, oils, botanical extracts, and even physical exfoliants—all of which can be found in OROGOLD’s best-selling Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid.
Let’s dissect the ingredient list to learn more about the benefits of this skincare breakthrough.
Vitamins
A primary component of the Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid is, of course, its unique combination of skin-loving vitamins.
Vitamin C
One of the vitamins found in the product is Vitamin C, which is present in two forms: Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbyl Palmitate.
Few ingredients can claim to have a following as large and loyal as Vitamin C’s. A cult favorite in the beauty market, Vitamin C shares a few mutual benefits with Mandelic Acid. It’s great for brightening the look of the skin and also for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
When combined, Mandelic Acid and Vitamin C work even more effectively.
Vitamin A
Another vitamin in OROGOLD’s Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid is Vitamin A in the form of Retinyl Palmitate.
Similar to how Mandelic Acid is gentler than other AHAs, Retinyl Palmitate is a perfect solution for sensitive-skinned folks who want to dip their toes into using Retinol. Retinyl Palmitate causes little to no irritation compared to other retinoids but still offers the same benefits.
Vitamin E
The last addition to the vitamin cocktail is Tocopheryl Acetate. Commonly known as Vitamin E, Tocopheryl Acetate is often paired with Vitamin C because of how it leaves the skin feeling protected.
Oils and Moisturizers
Even though Mandelic Acid deals minimal damage to the skin, it’s always a good idea to combine acids with moisturizing ingredients. This makes for better-rounded formulations overall.
Despite being an exfoliating product, the Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid balances deep cleaning and dead cell removal with moisturizing benefits from the following ingredients:
- Propylene Glycol
- Jojoba Esters
- Candelilla Wax
Physical Exfoliants
Mandelic Acid is gentle on the skin, so can be combined with finely textured ingredients to target both chemical and physical exfoliation in one go. The dynamic duo of physical exfoliants in the Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid is made up of Walnut Shell Powder and Bamboo Extract Powder.
But first, let’s address the elephant in the room. It’s impossible to discuss these ingredients without touching on the divided opinions that skincare enthusiasts have about them.
The hesitation to use these ingredients in skincare stems from the fear of microtears and abrasions that large pieces of bamboo stem and walnut shells can cause. However, when finely milled, these ingredients are just gentle enough to lightly exfoliate the skin’s surface and slough off dead cells.
All things considered, Mandelic Acid is a powerful force to be reckoned with. That said, it’s even better when strategically combined with vitamins, moisturizers, antioxidants, and fine-textured physical exfoliants. Include the OROGOLD Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid in your weekly regimen to see the difference.
To use OROGOLD’s Multi-Vitamin Deep Peeling + Mandelic Acid, apply a small amount of product to dry skin. Massage it into the skin in circular motions, mindfully avoiding the eye area. Rinse off the product with cool water. For optimal results, repeat once a week in combination with OROGOLD’s 24K Multi-Vitamin Collection.
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