The Ordinary Mandelic Acid Reviews—Are you considering adding Mandelic Acid to your skincare routine? If you´re new to acids, Mandelic Acid is an excellent acid for beginners. It is a gentle exfoliant serum that targets textural irregularities, dullness, and uneven skin tone.
Your Quick 15-Second Summary
- 58% of the #deciemaddicts love it
- Currently scores 4.5/5 on The Ordinary Website
- It is a gentle exfoliant
- Targets: Dullness, Uneven Skin Tone, Textural Irregularities
- Conflicts: Direct Vitamin C, Retinoids, Peptides, EUK, Niacinamide Powder, Acids
- Value For Money 30ml for under 8$. Compared to other brands, The Ordinary Mandelic Acid is excellent value for money.
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid Reviews
Everything you need to know about The Ordinary Mandelic Acid before buying: when and how to use it, conflicts, the period after opening, reviews, and FAQs.
- Unboxing The Ordinary Mandelic Acid
- What is The Ordinary Mandelic Acid, and what does it do?
- How and when do I use Mandelic Acid?
- Which products do The Ordinary Mandelic Acid conflict with?
- Which product can I use with The Ordinary Mandelic Acid?
- Products similar to Mandelic Acid
- Size of product
- PAO
- The Ordinary Mandelic Acid Reviews
- Faqs about Mandelic Acid
- Check the price in your currency here.
Unboxing The Ordinary Mandelic Acid
See the product, colour, consistency and packing before you buy.
What is Mandelic Acid, and what does it do?
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA offers superficial dermal peeling that is gentler than other alpha hydroxy acids. The molecular weight of mandelic Acid is 152.1 daltons, which is larger than other alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic Acid is 76.0 daltons, for example). This larger size allows mandelic Acid to penetrate the skin more slowly, which in turn makes it very gentle and suitable for all skin types. You don’t need a concentration of more than 10%, because then you would simply be achieving an indirect peeling strength that is more easily offered through lower percentages of glycolic Acid.
This formulation offers superficial dermal peeling to target uneven tone, textural irregularities, and fine lines. Due to its large molecular weight, Mandelic Acid is suitable for all skin types (including those that are sensitive).
How & When Do I Use Mandelic Acid?
Mandelic Acid is a water-based product and should be used directly after cleansing. Apply a few drops to the palms of your hands and pat or massage into your skin. Once this has been absorbed, you can then follow with your oils/creams.
Use Mandelic Acid once a day in your evening routine. It can be diluted with other treatments (check The Ordinary Conflicts) to reduce the strength until the skin develops tolerance.
Mandelic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and, particularly, the possibility of sunburn. Use sunscreen and avoid direct sun.
Which products conflict?
You can find a chart listing all The Ordinary products you can and cannot mix here. Mandelic Acid shouldn´t be used in the same regimens as;
- Direct Acids
- Direct Vitamin C
- Peptides including Copper Peptides
- EUK 134
- Retinoids
- Niacinamide Powder
Which products can I use with Mandelic Acid?
- More Molecules – Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide, Caffeine Solution
- Vitamin C Derivatives, Ascorbyl Glucoside & Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution
- All the hydration & oils
- Antioxidants except for EUK 134.
- You can always check The Ordinary Products You Can & Cannot Mix.
Mandelic Acid Polls
These polls featured on Instagram Stories.
Thoughts & Reviews
I encourage you to join The Ordinary & Deciem Chat Room Facebook Group where you can talk directly to over 200,000 The Ordinary fans about Mandelic Acid and all the other products.
“I’m currently using Mandelic Acid, and I´m fairly new to chemical exfoliation. I have dry-combination skin, rather sensitive and acne-prone. Can I use The Ordinary Mandelic Acid every evening after cleansing and apply it as I would a serum. I really like it and have seen some improvement in my skin.” – T.T.H
“I used The Ordinary Mandelic Acid several times and always felt that my skin was softer the other day. However, I am not using it now whilst I allow my skin to get used to tretinoin.” – M.V.L.
Mandelic Acid FAQS
Some of these questions have been answered by The Ordinary on Social Media.
1. What does Mandelic Acid do? Mandelic Acid is an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid), a gentle exfoliator that can help skin clarity, balance uneven skin tone, and correct skin texture.
2. Can I use Mandelic Acid every day? Yes, you can in the evening.
3. Can Mandelic Acid be used with The Ordinary 134? It should not be used with EUK 134 0.1%.
4. Can Ordinary Mandelic Acid be used with Niacinamide? Yes, it can.
5. What would you not recommend using with The Ordinary Mandelic Acid? It should not be used with other direct acids, direct forms of vitamin C, retinoids or peptides!
6. Exfoliating acids need to be used before or after The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum? We don’t suggest using Direct Acids & Peptides within the same regimen. You may wish to use Multi-Peptide + HA Serum in the AM & Direct Acids in the PM.
7. Do I add moisturizer after Mandelic Acid? Yes, you can.
More FAQs
8. Is it better to use The Ordinary Mandelic Acid in the day or night? It is best to use in the evening.
9. Is Mandelic Acid a good acid to start with if you are new to skincare? The Ordinary recommend this for beginners.
10. Would The Ordinary Mandelic Acid work for targeting age spots on the face and neck? The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is a superficial alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peeling formulation that targets uneven tone, textural irregularities, and fine lines. Its larger molecular weight allows mandelic acid to penetrate the skin slower and is suitable for all skin types.
11. I have dry skin and have recently been dealing with some texture and a couple breakouts. Would the Mandelic Acid be good for me, and which other products would you recommend? Mandelic Acid would be a great place to start. We would also suggest trying The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. This is a high-strength vitamin and mineral formula that visibly targets the look of blemishes and signs of congestion. We recommend avoiding unprotected solar exposure, gradually incorporating one new product into your regimen at a time, and applying test patches first to see what works best for your skin. We hope this helps!
12. Can The Ordinary Mandelic Acid and Niacinamide be used together in the same routine? In what order should they be applied? The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA may be applied before Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%.
13. Can I use the Glycolic acid toner in the same routine as Mandelic acid? Deciem says: We suggest using them on alternate evenings and waiting until your skin has adjusted to one before introducing another.
More FAQS about The Ordinary Mandelic Acid
14. Which of your products is good for blackheads? Deciem says: We suggest exploring The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA.
15. When you use this in the PM, should you use it alone or add hyaluronic on top of it? Also, can I put moisturizer on after applying it in PM, or is it best not to? You may use it alone or pair it with a hydrator.
16. Do you recommend using Mandelic and Lactic Acid together in a night regimen? We suggest using them on alternate evenings to avoid any irritation.
17. Would I be able to use the Salicylic Acid 2% Mask while using the Mandelic Acid? We suggest alternating between them to avoid irritation.
18. What other products are similar to Mandelic Acid? You can find all The Ordinary Acids here, and you should also take a look at NIOD NAAP Non-Acid Acid Precursor 15%
The Ordinary Acids – How To Choose Which One?
There are 9 Ordinary Acids, and it may be difficult to choose which is best for you. You may find The Ordinary Acids Guide useful, where you can see all The Ordinary Acids on one page.
- AHA 30%
- Azelaic Acid
- Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
- Lactic Acid 5%
- Lactic Acid 10%
- Mandelic Acid
- Salicylic Acid 2%
- Salicylic Acid Anhydrous Solution
- Salicylic Acid Masque
Final Thoughts on The Ordinary Mandelic Acid
As you can see, 58% of the Deciem Addicts love it, 64% say it has improved their skin, and 57% will be repurchasing it. Mandelic Acid is the perfect place to start if you’re new to acids.
Similar Products to Mandelic Acid
You can find all The Ordinary Acids here, and you should also take a look at NIOD NAAP Non-Acid Acid Precursor 15%
