Can Black Skin use Mandelic Acid?
Skin care can be confusing at best, but when you have a darker complexion, it often makes it worse when you’re trying to figure out the best skincare routine. The main difference with darker skin tones is that they are more
prone to hyperpigmentation due to more melanin in the skin. The idea is that the more melanocytes there are in the skin, the more likely hyperpigmentation is to develop, especially after minor superficial damage to the skin.
With this in mind, we wondered what the best steps to take to treat dark skin and help it maintain its overall health and appearance. These and similar questions will be answered in today’s blog post. If you want to know more,
please stay here. In the next section, you’ll learn briefly about mandelic acid and its benefits for your skin.
What is Mandelic Acid?
Derived from bitter almonds and formulated in a range of skin care products
Known for its gentle effect on the skin, suitable for all skin types
Removes built-up layers of dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria and debris from the skin’s surface
By removing these deposits from your skin, you can eliminate the signs of premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles
Helps clear acne from the skin by unclogging pores. This is achieved through its antibacterial properties, which help dissolve acne, also known as whiteheads and blackheads, while removing excess sebum
Known for offering chemical peels, which are better tolerated by those with sensitive skin and darker skin tones
If you want to learn more about mandelic acid and how it affects your skin, read our dedicated blog post.
What acids are good for dark skin?
I have briefly discussed the best ways to treat dark skin. Due to the increased risk of developing hyperpigmentation and melasma areas, you must treat them gently. In fact, it is believed that light skin types can handle more
exfoliation, which can cause many problems for people with dark or dark skin types.
The best acids for dark skin are the mildest acids in the AHA family, such as lactic and mandelic. Both of these acids have large molecular sizes, which means they act primarily on the outer surface of the skin, rarely causing
irritation, redness, or swelling. That doesn’t mean they can’t effectively treat the skin and get rid of dry, flaky patches and a dull, lackluster appearance.
Check out Beauty Insider to learn more about how these AHAs work on your skin.
How to use mandelic acid on dark skin?
Mandelic acid is present in some product formulations. These products include cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers and nourishing masks. Depending on the product you choose will dictate when in your routine you apply it to
your skin. To get the benefits of your skin care products, you should use them from their thinnest to their thickest consistency. This ensures that active ingredients can be absorbed by the skin without having to encounter the
physical barrier that other thicker formulas create on the skin.
You can also combine Mandelic Acid with other powerful ingredients like Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Niacinamide to enhance its benefits. These are rich in antioxidant properties that help strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier
and protect it from free radical damage such as pollution, UV rays, central heating, and other environmental aggressors.
It is important to note that chemical peels, even the mildest ones, can increase the photosensitivity of the skin. That’s why it’s important to apply SPF sunscreen daily to prevent sun damage, which can lead to further
hyperpigmentation and melasma on the skin.
Is Mandelic Acid Good for Pigmented Skin?
Yes, mandelic acid is great for all skin tones, especially darker ones, as its gentle action leaves skin feeling good without harsh irritation. As I mentioned before, darker skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation than lighter
skin. That’s why it’s important to spend some time finding the most effective daily routine that contains active ingredients to keep your skin at its healthiest.
Mandelic acid has some unique properties compared to other AHAs, such as its micro-peeling ability. This means that mandelic acid works to remove excess pigment from the skin’s surface, brightening the complexion for a more
even-toned complexion. Although it is a gentle exfoliant, it also penetrates deeper into the skin to inhibit the production of melanin. This causes hyperpigmented areas to not darken when exposed to UV rays.
Mandelic Acid is not only effective in fighting skin discoloration but also the signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Through gentle exfoliation, the complexion renews itself over time, leaving your
skin plumper, firmer, revitalized and healthier-looking. The question of whether mandelic acid can lighten skin remains unanswered. This is because mandelic acid does not sufficiently exfoliate the skin, which affects skin
pigmentation. With continued use, you’ll notice a more even-toned complexion, a visible reversal of existing sun spots, melasma, acne scars and age spots, and the acid prevents further damage to the skin.
Although I’d describe mandelic acid as one of the gentlest alpha hydroxy acids, you’ll find that it’s still an acid, and everyone’s skin is different. That’s why it’s important to consult your doctor or dermatologist to make
sure you’re incorporating the best, most effective ingredients into your daily skincare routine. If you have more questions about skin care, you can find one of our experts on our Instagram.
