Works for
ExfoliationMandelic acidWorks well
“A gentle leave-on exfoliating serum formulated with 10% mandelic acid at pH 3.”
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.
Evens skin toneMandelic acid, Niacinamide + 2 moreWorks well
“Niacinamide helps even skin tone and reduces pigmentation, redness, and facial photo-ageing.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: mandelic acid, niacinamide
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: glycyrrhiza glabra root 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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 3 moreWorks well
“Sodium lactate and sodium hyaluronate protect against water loss.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, 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
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Mandelic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Using this mandelic acid serum has multiple benefits, it effectively targets and helps to alleviate inflammatory acne, exfoliates the skin, and evens out the skin tone where possible.”
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-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Camellia sinensis leaf extractWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolMandelic 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 acidGlycerin~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinNiacinamide~2–3%
- 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~1.4–2.1%
- 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 lactateGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractSodium 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 hyaluronateCitric acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Mandelic acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium lactate, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| FacetheoryMandelibright Serum S7YOUR PRODUCT | QRxLabsTranexamic Acid Serum | The Light SalonHydrating Peptide Serum | NaturiumNiacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 93% | 91% |
| Price | $37.00 | — | $50.00+$13.00 | $13.59−$23.41 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Kojic Acid | Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 | Dimethicone |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Skincall Daily Triple SerumLuzern Laboratories Luzern Serum Absolut Rehydrate
Product summary
"Facetheory - Mandelibright Serum S7" is effective for: Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing, Anti-blemish and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.00% - 3.00%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Exfoliating acids (mandelic acid 3.60% - 5.50%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.50%, sodium lactate 1.40% - 2.10% and glycerin 2.70% - 4.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 37.00$ up to 217.00$ in the United States and for 88.08A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.