Can I Use Glycolic and Mandelic Acid Together?
When it comes to using chemical peels, I explain that it can often feel overwhelming and like a mad scientist. The problem is, if you’re still trying to figure out what each acid does and what unique benefits it offers,
you’re more likely to accidentally apply it to your skin. No matter how gentle some of the ingredients in these skincare formulas are or how low in concentration, you’re still dealing with acids, and making sure to focus on
protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure and other environmental aggressors is an important part of keeping your skin healthy and happy.
Now we get into today’s blog post: Can glycolic and mandelic acids be used together? This question has been asked a lot lately, so we thought it was time to dig a little deeper and see if this
exfoliating powerhouse combo is the secret combo your skin has been waiting for? Otherwise it’s a recipe for disaster!
This next section is for those of you who need to check out the ingredients. If you want to skip the sharing part, we can too. We promise we won’t be doing any testing at the end.
What is glycolic acid?
It’s extracted from sugar cane and is found in a range of skincare formulas, including exfoliating toners, serums, and moisturizers.
Belongs to the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family and is the most commonly used acid in this family.
Has a small molecule, which allows it to penetrate into the lower layers of the skin.
Penetrates deep into the pores to remove excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities.
It removes the surface layer of dead skin cells, preventing the formation of blackheads, acne, and other skin blemishes.
May help fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving a plumper, more vibrant, and more youthful complexion.
By removing the layer of dead skin cells, the skin becomes more receptive, allowing other active ingredients to penetrate faster.
Due to its small molecular size, it may cause irritation to some skin types. Therefore, always consult a dermatologist before incorporating 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, you can apply it to your skin twice a day.
It works effectively alone or in combination with a complementary ingredient 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 exfoliants and skincare formulations.
It is extracted from bitter almonds and used in medicinal and over-the-counter preparations.
Compared to glycolic acid, mandelic acid has a very large molecular size, making it one of the milder acids in the AHA family.
Due to its slower absorption rate, madeline is suitable for all skin types, including those prone to sensitivity and redness.
However, it exfoliates the outer surface of the skin and ensures that other active ingredients can be absorbed quickly.
Helps open pores and fight breakouts without weighing down the skin too much.
Reduces pigmentation, dark spots, acne scars, and other areas of uneven skin tone.
Although mandelic acid is considered gentle, it is still recommended that it is tolerated by the skin. Therefore, introduce mandelic acid into your daily routine gradually.
If you want to learn more about mandelic acid and its benefits for the skin, read our blog on beauty insiders.
Now that we have the latest information on these powerful acids, let’s take a closer look at how to use them together and how they can benefit your complexion.
Can I take mandelic acid and glycolic acid at the same time?
Yes, you can, but not both. This is because both acids work in similar ways on the surface of the skin, and the combination of these active ingredients produces the following effects:
Itching
Minor pain
Redness
Scaling
Swelling
Pain when touched
Increased sensitivity to UV radiation
To reap the benefits of using both acids, there are the following options, which many consider to be the most effective way to treat your skin.
Option 1 – Change the formula you use every day. This will avoid over-irritating your skin. Using it in your evening routine ensures that your skin is undisturbed while you sleep and free of free radicals.
Option 2 – Make sure your skin is acid-tolerant and apply SPF 50 every day. You can use one acid in the morning and the other at night.
You can also combine these acids with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help your skin. Both help maintain the moisture levels of the skin barrier, strengthen it and protect it from free radical damage, such as that caused by UV rays, pollution, cigarette smoke, central heating and other environmental aggressors.
Is mandelic acid stronger than glycolic acid?
Both acids work on the skin in similar ways, but technically, glycolic acid is considered the more effective of the two due to its smaller molecule size. This allows glycolic acid to work on every layer of the skin and dermis in a way that mandelic acid cannot. You will also find that more skin types can tolerate mandelic acid than glycolic acid.
However, the acid content also determines their strength. The easiest way to judge the strength of the active ingredient in a recipe is to see where the acid is in the ingredient list. Make it in the top 5 and make sure it is an active part of the recipe.
There you will learn more about the uses of mandelic and glycolic acid. If you have any further questions, please contact us via Instagram.
