Works for
Evens skin toneMandelic acidWorks well
“Mandelic acid can reduce hyperpigmentation and correct skin tone to achieve a more evenly colored complexion.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: mandelic acid
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-blemishMandelic acidNot delivered
“Due to its anti-bacterial properties, it is extremely effective in reducing acnes.”
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.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Mandelic acid is also an excellent anti-ageing ingredient as it accelerates skin cell turnover, removes dead skin on the surface of the skin which leads to dull complexion and fine lines.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Mandelic acidWorks well
“Mandelic acid is also an excellent anti-ageing ingredient as it accelerates skin cell turnover, removes dead skin on the surface of the skin which leads to dull complexion and fine lines.”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Arginine + 2 moreWorks
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
arginine, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 flagged ingredientsLow 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%
Butylene glycol~5.6–8.3%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~2.9–4.3%
- 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 GlycerinMandelic acid~2.2–3.4%
- 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 acidArginine~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineAminomethyl propanol~0.6–1.35%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate1,2-hexanediol~0.35–0.75%
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.05–0.15%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Mandelic acid, Arginine, Aminomethyl propanol, Sodium hyaluronate, 1,2-hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
| modestMandelic Acid 5% + HA SerumYOUR PRODUCT | NINE LESSMolecule-Clear 5% Mandelic Acid Serum | Purito SEOULABP Triple Synergy Liquid | BellflowerCeramide 1% Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 42% | 42% |
| Price | — | $14.46 | — | $16.70 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Gluconolactone | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: NIDA Salmon PDRN Peptide SerumBoots Ingredients Peptide Serum
Product summary
"modest - Mandelic Acid 5% + HA Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (mandelic acid 3.10% - 4.70%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.20% - 0.70% and arginine 2.30% - 3.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 20.31$ 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 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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