My Scheming BB Amino Mandelic Acid 18% Serum
Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Propylene glycol + 2 moreWorks
“Soothes the skin, effectively stabilizes, moisturizes and hydrates, leaving the skin delicate and soft.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene glycol.
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).
Anti-agingLaminaria saccharina extractNot delivered
“This all-round serum infused with amino mandelic acid provides anti-aging benefits, regulates sebum production and minimizes enlarged pores.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Mandelic acidWorks well
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.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Mandelic acidWorks well
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Microcitrus australasica fruit extractMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Dipropylene glycol~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolWater~12–18%
Mandelic acid~4.4–6.6%
- 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 acidPotassium hydroxide~3.3–5%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Citric acid~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateEthylhexylglycerin~1–1.6%
Glycerin~0.95–1.4%
- 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 GlycerinPropylene glycol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolButylene glycol~0.4–0.95%
- 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 glycolPotassium carbonate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.2–0.7%
- 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 extractLaminaria saccharina extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A seaweed extract that contains sugars and can be helpful in attracting water to the upper layers of the skin if used in high enough concentrations
More about Laminaria saccharina extractMicrocitrus australasica fruit extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Most likely used for its fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Microcitrus australasica fruit extractSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Zinc sulfate~0.1–0.3%
Pyridoxine hcl~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Pyridoxine hclIngredient list view
Dipropylene glycol, Water, Mandelic acid, Potassium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Butylene glycol, Potassium carbonate, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Laminaria saccharina extract, Microcitrus australasica fruit extract, Sodium benzoate, Zinc sulfate, Pyridoxine hcl
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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.
| My SchemingBB Amino Mandelic Acid 18% SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | FormotopiaBFFECT AHA 30% + Mandelic Acid 4% Serum | Selfless by HyramMandelic Acid & Rice Bran Gentle Exfoliating Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 43% | 43% |
| Price | $13.28 | $52.00+$38.72 | $18.00+$4.72 | $15.74+$2.46 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Glycolic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: GLOWSECRET beffect Aha 30%+mandelic acid 4% serumNaturium PHA Topical Acid 12%
Product summary
"My Scheming - BB Amino Mandelic Acid 18% Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (mandelic acid 4.40% - 6.60%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.95% - 1.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 20.26$ 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 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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