Face Reality Skincare 8% L-Mandelic Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneMandelic acid, Lactic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Helps brighten skin and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide
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.
ExfoliationMandelic acid, Lactic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Exfoliates with low irritation.”
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: lactic acid, mandelic acid.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Mandelic acidWorks well
“Mandelic Serum + Acne Med = The best acne fighting duo 👯♀️❤️🔥 Mandelic Serum is Antibacterial, Antifungal, Brightening, and Exfoliating and contains Lactic Acid & Niacinamide.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: mandelic acid
Anti-agingSide benefit · Lactic acid, NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Urea + 6 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": lactic acid, sodium hyaluronate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, urea
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Alcohol + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Hamamelis virginiana water~5.5–8.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterMandelic acid~3.6–5.5%
- 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 acidAlcohol~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholLactic acid~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidButylene glycol~1.6–2.4%
- 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 glycolPpg-3 benzyl ether myristate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alcohol denat.~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Niacinamide~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideSodium lactate~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateXanthan gum~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium pca~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateUrea~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaPhenethyl alcohol~0.05–0.2%
Caprylyl glycol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Hamamelis virginiana water, Mandelic acid, Alcohol, Lactic acid, Butylene glycol, Ppg-3 benzyl ether myristate, Alcohol denat., Niacinamide, Sodium lactate, Xanthan gum, Sodium pca, Sodium hyaluronate, Urea, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Potassium sorbate
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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.
| Face Reality Skincare8% L-Mandelic SerumYOUR PRODUCT | facerealityskincare-B2B11% L-Mandelic Serum | Skin proudDaily AHA BHA Detox Tonic with Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic Acid | SUNDOUltimate AHA & BHA Renewal Solution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 89% | 87% |
| Price | $44.00 | $46.00+$2.00 | — | $14.28−$29.72 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | — | Glycolic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: TBH Skincare rebound serumendota spa Peptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum
Product summary
"facerealityskincare - 8% L-Mandelic Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish, Exfoliation and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (lactic acid 2.70% - 4.00% and mandelic acid 3.60% - 5.50%). 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. Lactic Acid can also help to attract water to the upper layer (works as a humectant).
- Humectants (urea 0.05% - 0.15%, sodium pca 0.50% - 1.20%, sodium hyaluronate 0.85% - 1.30%, sodium lactate 1.50% - 2.20% and lactic acid 2.70% - 4.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5
- 6
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