NINE LESS

NINE LESS Molecule-Clear 5% Mandelic Acid Serum

Name: NINE LESS - Molecule-Clear 5% Mandelic Acid Serum
Brand: NINE LESS

Efficacy83/100IrritancyLow

See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing

Panthenol, Glycerin + 4 more

Works well

What the product description says

“Contains Panthenol and Allantoin to soothe irritated skin Enriched with Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate to boost skin hydration and skin barrier care.”

Source: Lila Beauty

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: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.45–1.1%

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.2–3.3%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.5%

Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~6–9%

Sorbitol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~0.55–1.35%

AllantoinUnder-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.2–0.75%

Evens skin tone

Mandelic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“DESCRIPTION Nine Less Molecule-Clear 5% Mandelic Acid Serum fades dark spots and smooths skin.”

Source: Lila Beauty

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.

Mandelic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps 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~3.9–5.9%

Anti-blemish

Mandelic acid, Allantoin

Not delivered

What the product description says

“Fades post-acne marks, blemishes, and brightens skin tone. INGREDIENTS HOW TO USE 1.”

Source: Lila Beauty

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.

Mandelic acidEffect: MediumHelps 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~3.9–5.9%

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.2–0.75%

Exfoliation

Side benefit · Mandelic acid, Allantoin

Works 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.

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.2–0.75%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

6 flagged ingredients

Low risk

We flag 6 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Mandelic acidHelps 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 acidHigh~3.9–5.9%est.

1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.4–0.9%est.

Polyglyceryl-10 laurateHelps water and oil mix togetherMedium~0.2–0.75%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.05–0.15%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.05–0.15%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

BIODANCE Pore tightening collagen ampoule

Higher efficacy · 100/10066% match

$34.26

Paula's choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Higher efficacy · 100/10062% match

$50.18

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Butylene glycol~6–9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 glycol

Mandelic acid~3.9–5.9%

Key activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Evens skin toneExfoliationAnti-blemishAntibacterial

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 acid

Propanediol~2.8–4.2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol

Glycerin~2.2–3.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

1,2-hexanediol~0.4–0.9%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol

Sodium hydroxide~1.2–1.9%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Xanthan gum~1.1–1.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Sorbitol~0.55–1.35%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Sorbitol

Panthenol~0.45–1.1%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Allantoin~0.2–0.75%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryMoisturizingAnti-blemishReduces irritationReduces rednessExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin

Polyglyceryl-10 laurate~0.2–0.75%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurate

Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.5%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Disodium edta~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta

Citric acid~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid

Ingredient list view

Water, Butylene glycol, Mandelic acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, Sodium hydroxide, Xanthan gum, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Sodium hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Citric acid

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🇦🇺 Lila Beauty (AU)30 ml

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	NINE LESSMolecule-Clear 5% Mandelic Acid SerumYOUR PRODUCT	BIODANCEPore tightening collagen ampoule	endota spaPotent Brightening Serum	REVOLUTION SKINCAREBlemish Resurfacing and Recovery 2% Tranexamic Acid Serum
Match	—	66%	64%	64%
Price	—	$34.26	$99.46	—
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 5	3 of 5	4 of 5
Key difference	—	Niacinamide	Niacinamide	Urea
Irritancy	Low	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"NINE LESS - Buy Nineless Molecule-Clear 5% Mandelic Acid Serum in Australia - Korean Skincare Online" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Exfoliation

Ingredient callouts

Exfoliating acids (mandelic acid 3.90% - 5.90%). 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.
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 0.45% - 1.10% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.15% - 0.50%, panthenol 0.45% - 1.10% and glycerin 2.20% - 3.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.