Can I Use Glycolic and Mandelic Acid Together?
I’ve explained before that combining chemical peels can often be overwhelming and make you feel like a mad scientist. However, if you still can’t figure out what these acids do and what unique benefits they offer, then you may be applying them to your skin incorrectly. While some of these skincare formulas may be less concentrated or less concentrated, you’re still dealing with acids, so it’s important to focus on protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure and other environmental aggressors to keep it healthy and happy.
Now let’s get into today’s blog post: Can glycolic and mandelic acids be used together? This question has come up a few times recently, so we thought it was time to investigate further and find out if these exfoliating powerhouses are the secret combo your skin has been waiting for? Or a recipe for disaster!
This next section is for those of you who need a refresher on these ingredients. If you want to skip straight to the sharing section, that’s fine with us, and we promise there won’t be a quiz at the end.
What is glycolic acid?
It’s derived from sugar cane and is found in a range of skincare formulas, from exfoliating toners to serums to moisturizers.
Belongs to the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family and is the most commonly used acid in this range.
Has a small molecule, ensuring it can penetrate the lower layers of the skin.
Can penetrate deep into the pores to remove excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris and impurities.
It removes the surface layer of dead skin cells to prevent the formation of blackheads, acne and other blemishes.
Can help fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a plumper, more vibrant and youthful complexion.
By removing the layer of dead skin cells, the skin becomes more receptive, allowing other active ingredients to penetrate quickly.
Due to its small molecular size, it can cause irritation to some skin types. Therefore, always consult a dermatologist before introducing this acid into your daily routine.
Suitable for people whose skin type is not too dry or prone to sensitivity.
Once you have developed a tolerance to the acid, it can be applied to the skin twice a day.
It works effectively alone or in combination with complementary ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about glycolic acid in our dedicated blog post.
What is mandelic acid?
A lesser known alpha hydroxy acid, but still used in professional peels and skincare formulations.
It is derived from bitter almonds and can be used in both medicinal and over-the-counter formulations.
Compared to glycolic acid, mandelic acid has a very large molecular size, making it one of the gentler acids in the AHA family.
Since mandelic acid absorbs more slowly, it is suitable for all skin types, including those prone to sensitivity and redness.
It still exfoliates the outer surface of the skin and ensures that other active ingredients can absorb quickly.
Helps open pores and fight breakouts without over-stripping the skin.
Reduces pigmentation, dark spots, post-acne scars, and other areas of uneven skin tone.
While mandelic acid is considered gentle, a certain level of skin tolerance is still recommended. So, introduce mandelic acid into your routine gradually.
If you want to learn more about mandelic acid and its benefits for your skin, check out our The Beauty Insiders blog.
Now that we’ve been updated on these powerful acids, let’s take a closer look at their uses and how they can benefit your complexion.
Can I use mandelic acid and glycolic acid together?
Yes, you can, but not at the same time. This is because both acids work in similar ways on the surface of the skin, and applying these active ingredients in multiple layers can cause:
Itching
Discomfort
Redness
Scaling
Swelling
Pain when touched
Increased sensitivity to UV radiation
To reap the benefits of using both acids, many people find the following to be the most effective way to treat their skin.
Option 1: Switch your formula every day. This prevents over-irritation of the skin. Using these during your evening routine ensures they are protected from the effects of free radicals while you sleep.
Option 2: Make sure your skin has built up a tolerance to the acids and apply SPF 50 every day. You can choose to use one acid in the morning and the other in the evening.
You can also combine these acids with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help your skin. Both help maintain moisture levels in the skin barrier, strengthening and protecting the skin from damage caused by free radicals such as UV rays, pollution, cigarette smoke, central heating and other environmental influences.
Is mandelic acid stronger than glycolic acid?
Both acids work on the skin in similar ways, but technically, glycolic acid is the stronger of the two due to its smaller molecular size. This allows glycolic acid to work at every layer of the skin and pass through the dermis, while mandelic acid cannot. You will also find that mandelic acid is tolerated by more skin types than glycolic acid.
However, the percentage of the acid also determines its strength. The easiest way to determine the strength of the active ingredient in a formula is to look at where the acid is in the ingredient list. If she is in the top five, this ensures her percentage of active in the formula.
Below are more details about using mandelic acid and glycolic acid together. If you still have any questions, visit us on Instagram.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.