Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer + 2 moreWorks
“The transparent, oil-like treatment easily absorbs into skin, and is enriched with hyaluronic acid, which visibly hydrates and soothes skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer.
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).
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Mandelic acidWorks well
“Mandelic Acid 10% + HA offers superficial dermal peeling that is gentler than other alpha hydroxy acids.”
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 toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Mandelic acidWorks well
“Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid serum that helps improve skin clarity, balance uneven skin tone, and correct skin texture in a gentle, yet effective manner.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Propanediol~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolWater~13–20%
Mandelic acid~5.1–7.7%
- 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~3.2–4.8%
- 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 GlycerinDimethyl isosorbide~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerTasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Pentylene glycol~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolysorbate 20~0.45–1.05%
Sodium hydroxide~0.35–0.8%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.55%
1,2-hexanediol~0.05–0.25%
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolIngredient list view
Propanediol, Water, Mandelic acid, Glycerin, Dimethyl isosorbide, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract, Pentylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol
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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.
| The OrdinaryMandelic Acid 10% + HAYOUR PRODUCT | NaturiumPHA Topical Acid 12% | FormotopiaBFFECT AHA 30% + Mandelic Acid 4% Serum | GLOWSECRETbeffect Aha 30%+mandelic acid 4% serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 44% | 41% | 41% |
| Price | $6.40 | — | $18.00+$11.60 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Lactobionic Acid | Glycolic Acid | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Nacomi Peeling serum with 10% complex of mandelic acid with PHA acidsNINE LESS Molecule-Clear 5% Mandelic Acid Serum 30ml
Product summary
"The Ordinary - Mandelic Acid 10% + HA" is effective for: Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (mandelic acid 5.10% - 7.70%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
- Humectants (glycerin 3.20% - 4.80% and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer 1.60% - 2.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The Ordinary" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 13.10A$ up to 21.42A$ in Australia, from 6.40$ up to 11.00$ in the United States, from 8.80CA$ up to 19.80CA$ in Canada, from 5.52£ up to 11.40£ in the United Kingdom and for 67.00HK$ in Hong Kong.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
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