Hello,
I am 45 years old with combination skin and some brown spots. Can I use Mandelic acid https://www.sr-skincare.uk/product/mandelic-acid-peel-kit/ instead of exfoliations?
Many thanks.
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Thanks for your answer. ☺️
Do I have to check something in acids? Are they all good for combination skin and mature skin( 45 years old)? Should I use another acid instead of Mandelic acid? Many, many, many thanks. I am learning a lot through this website.
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Thank you so much ☺️ for your answer. Any specific brand? What do I have to check in acids? Are they all good? Many thanks, I appreciate it. I am learning a lot through this website. 😀
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An important thing is to remember that your whole routine has an impact, and not only a particular product in isolation. The most tricky thing is to find the right balance between using potent actives and not overwhelming your skin with them. Exfoliating acids are especially risky - it is very easy to over-do them. So I'd first recommend to look at your current routine. For example, have you just started a strong retinol product? If yes, I would wait a month or two before introducing a strong exfoliating treatment.
When selecting an exfoliating acid product, I'd keep in mind these points:
- Total concentration of the acids: as a rule of thumb, I wouldn't go much stronger than 10%-15% total, especially if you are just starting.
- Frequency of use: if you are choosing a product with the acid concentration of above 5-7%, I'd recommend using it only 1-2 times a week.
- Other irritants in the product: exfoliants by definition weaken the skin barrier (at least temporarily). This makes it easier for potential irritants to penetrate the skin and cause trouble. The less no-value-add potential irritants are in an exfoliating product, the better.
There are also different types of exfoliating acids. For anti-aging purposes, AHAs and PHAs are the best option (and salicylic acid, also called BHA, is less useful). Mandelic acid is an AHA. Together with lactic acid, it is considered to be one of the mildest acids among AHAs. PHAs (for example, gluconolactone, lactobionic acid) are even milder, and they also have a hydrating effect (lactic acid is hydrating too). A lot of products combine both AHAs and PHAs, trying to get the best of the two worlds: stronger exfoliation from the AHAs and the hydrating benefits of the PHAs. Still, the most important indicator is the total acid concentration. It is possible to hurt your skin with a strong concentration of a "mild" exfoliating acid.
This explanation possibly confused you even more (gosh I wish skincare would be easier!), so here are a few good medium-strength affordable exfoliating for 1-3x a week (just please be careful not to overdo it):
- https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/boots-ingredients-alpha-hydroxy-acid-serum
- https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/pixi-overnight-glow-serum
- https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/no7-protect-perfect-intense-advanced-serum-activating-pads
- https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/derma-e-deluxe-mini-overnight-peel
The products you mentioned from SR Skincare also look good judging from the ingredient list, I'd go for the 10% option, 1x a week.
Thank you so much. It’s very interesting. Actually, I use Mandelic acid 15% ones a week and I don’t use any exfoliate products. After a month, I relax a few weeks ( 3 or 4 )before exfoliate again. I haven’t tried vitamin A yet. Maybe, I will start it in my relax time with Vitamin C the first weeks to see how my skin react. Thanks a million 😀☺️
Hello 👋 ! Acids like mandelic acid are exfoliators (they are called "chemical" exfoliators sometimes as opposed to physical exfoliators like abrasive scrubs and brushes. Physical exfoliation is risky and not particularly effective, so I recommend to stay away from it anyway). So to answer your question, yes, you can use mandelic acid as an exfoliator. Just be careful to follow the instruction and don't go for the highest concentration from the start. Also, don't exfoliate too often, especially if you are using retinoids in your routine (they speed up the skin turnover and the skin needs less "external" exfoliation help). Over-exfoliating can trigger new pigmentation, so it is very important to be careful - and use a daily broad spectrum sunscreen ☀️