Paula's choice 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
Works for
ExfoliationMandelic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant”
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.
Evens skin toneMandelic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid, 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-agingLactic acidMay help
“Improves sun damage, dullness & fine lines Reverses a compromised skin barrier Renews skin below the surface for healthier cell turnover & radiance Gentle & effective for all skin types”
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-blemishMandelic acidNot delivered
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Lactic acid, Lactobacillus ferment lysate + 5 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, lactic acid.
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, caprylyl glycol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Achillea millefolium extractMedium 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%
2,3-butanediol~5.9–8.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prunus mume extract~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mandelic acid~2.7–4.1%
- 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 acidLactic acid~2–2.9%
- 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 acidSodium hydroxide~1.6–2.4%
Myrica cerifera fruit extract~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Akebia quinata stem extract~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Prunus lannesiana flower extract~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactobacillus ferment lysate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A "broth" with parts of dead cells of lactobacteria. Might be helpful supporting diverse microbiome in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Lactobacillus ferment lysateSaccharomyces lysate~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Achillea millefolium extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Achillea millefolium extractSaccharide isomerate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharide isomeratePrunus mume extract~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Arginine~0.2–0.8%
- 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 ArginineHydroxyacetophenone~0.3–0.75%
Prunus mume extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~0.2–0.75%
- 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 glycolPrunus mume extract~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium phytate~0.15–0.65%
Pentylene glycol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPrunus mume extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitric acid~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium citrate~0.1–0.5%
- 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 citrate1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.35%
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPrunus mume extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Water, 2,3-butanediol, Prunus mume extract, Mandelic acid, Lactic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Myrica cerifera fruit extract, Akebia quinata stem extract, Prunus lannesiana flower extract, Lactobacillus ferment lysate, Saccharomyces lysate, Achillea millefolium extract, Saccharide isomerate, Prunus mume extract, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Prunus mume extract, Butylene glycol, Prunus mume extract, Sodium phytate, Pentylene glycol, Prunus mume extract, Xanthan gum, Citric acid, Sodium citrate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Prunus mume extract, Sodium benzoate
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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.
| Paula's choice6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid ExfoliantYOUR PRODUCT | DRMTLGYFacialRX Daily Peel Pads | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | Jan MariniMarini Multi-Acid Exfoliating Pads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 56% | 56% |
| Price | $37.00 | $5.00−$32.00 | $52.00+$15.00 | $95.00+$58.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Votary Sensitive Resurfacing PeelPRIORI Skincare LCA Smart Peel Pads
Product summary
"Paula's choice - 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant" is effective for: Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging and Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (lactic acid 2.00% - 2.90% and mandelic acid 2.70% - 4.10%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. Lactic Acid can also help to attract water to the upper layer (works as a humectant).
- Humectants (arginine 0.20% - 0.80%, saccharide isomerate 0.35% - 0.85% and lactic acid 2.00% - 2.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 37.00$ 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
- 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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