Works for
ExfoliationMandelic acidWorks well
“Gentle exfoliation, deep pore cleansing, acne removal, quickly ending oil secretion, preventing acne formation, allowing pores to breathe fresh and oil-free for a long time.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: mandelic acid.
Anti-agingCentella asiatica extract, Phyllanthus emblica fruit extractMay help
“Centella asiatica extract: Repair skin problems, restore skin elasticity, improve aging phenomenon.”
This product contains centella asiatica extract. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-blemishMandelic acid, Centella asiatica extractNot delivered
“Anti-acne ingredient Quatemium-73: The Ministry of Health and Welfare approved anti-acne ingredients to improve annoying acne problems.”
This product contains ingredients (mandelic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
MoisturizingCentella asiatica extract, Butylene glycol + 2 moreNot delivered
“Silybum marianum extract: increase the moisture of the skin, reduce the problem of dehydration and dryness during skin rejuvenation.”
Does not contain good ingredients to help with moisturization.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Mandelic acid, Phyllanthus emblica fruit extractWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: mandelic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: phyllanthus emblica fruit extract.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, Centella asiatica extract + 1 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (centella asiatica extract, phyllanthus emblica fruit extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Imidazolidinyl ureaMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Mandelic acid~5.7–8.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
More about Mandelic acidButylene glycol~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPeg-8~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a nice product consistency
More about Peg-8Ethoxydiglycol~1.9–2.8%
Triethanolamine~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolaminePhyllanthus emblica fruit extract~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and have a skin lightening effect if used in high enough concentrations
More about Phyllanthus emblica fruit extractCentella asiatica extract~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractSilybum marianum extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might be able to help neutralize free radical, calm down inflammation in skin, and even skin tone
More about Silybum marianum extractQuaternium-73~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolImidazolidinyl urea~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is more irritating than many other preservatives available
More about Imidazolidinyl ureaChlorphenesin~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Mandelic acid, Butylene glycol, Peg-8, Ethoxydiglycol, Triethanolamine, Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, Centella asiatica extract, Silybum marianum extract, Quaternium-73, Phenoxyethanol, Imidazolidinyl urea, Chlorphenesin
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Dr.Hsieh25% Mandelic Acid Refining LiquidYOUR PRODUCT | RevoxJUST MANDELIC ACID 10% + HA | Geek GorgeousCheer up | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Price | — | $8.90 | $30.00 | $52.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 4 | 1 of 4 | 1 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Hyaluronate | Salicylic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: dr wu Mandelik Daily Renewal SerumNaturium PHA Topical Acid 12%
Product summary
"Dr. Hsieh - 25% Mandelic Acid Refining Liquid" is effective for: Evens skin tone and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (mandelic acid 5.70% - 8.60%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
Price
The product retails for 26.80$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Emblicamdedge.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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