Can mandelic acid be applied to the neck?
Daily skin care routines usually include moisturizers, serums, and sometimes masks. We spend a lot of time and effort applying these effective formulas to keep our skin looking and feeling its best. The problem is that areas like the neck are often completely forgotten.
It may not sound too serious, but believe it or not, the skin on our neck is noticeably thinner, which means it can show signs of aging earlier. There are also many different factors that can cause accelerated aging in the neck. How we sleep, our lifestyle, how much and how often we look down at our computer or iPhone, and even how often we wear perfume can cause discoloration.
So we’ll take a look at how to use specific ingredients and whether or not mandelic acid can be used on the throat.
What is mandelic acid?
It’s extracted from bitter almonds and belongs to the large family of chemical peels, known as AHAs.
Suitable for many different skin types, including those prone to sensitivity.
Helps speed up skin cell turnover and rids the skin of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities, leaving you with a healthy, radiant complexion.
Rich in anti-inflammatory properties, it’s very effective in fighting acne and other forms of breakouts.
Targets hyperpigmentation, dark spots and sun damaged areas, proven to result in a more even skin tone in 4 weeks.
Helps stimulate collagen production, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
Improves skin texture by removing dead skin cells, giving it an overall firmer, smoother appearance.
Although it is considered one of the gentlest acids, it is still recommended to consult a doctor or dermatologist before using mandelic acid on your skin. If you want to learn more about this clever AHA, read our dedicated blog post.
Can mandelic acid be used on the body?
Yes, it really can. Since mandelic acid has a molecule twice the size of glycolic acid and a third larger than lactic acid, it is one of the gentlest acids available. This results in limited irritation and redness, and since it absorbs slowly, all skin types can use it on any appropriate part of the body.
Commonly used in personal care products such as moisturizers and specialty body washes, mandelic acid can rejuvenate the skin and improve the overall appearance of clear skin. As I mentioned, the absorption rate is slightly slower than other acids, but mandelic acid can still penetrate deep into the lower layers of the skin to allow the benefits of the acid to take effect. These benefits are stimulating collagen production, shedding layers of dead skin cells, inhibiting overproduction of melanin, preventing dark spots from becoming more pigmented, and ultimately creating a clearer, acne-free complexion.
All of these issues are not limited to the face, but often affect certain parts of the body. Personal care products designed to address these issues will help keep the skin clear and in a healthy state.
What should not be used with mandelic acid?
As mentioned many times, mandelic acid is one of the mildest acids, but it is an acid that can still cause irritation, redness, severe dryness, and general discomfort. Therefore, it is important to be careful not to mix mandelic acid with other acids (such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid) and potent active ingredients (such as retinol).
The reasons for this are multifaceted, such as: B. Each ingredient has a different pH value, producing similar results on the skin and causing too much irritation. Nevertheless, you can use these active ingredients in your daily life, just use them at the right stage. Many experts recommend alternating between each ingredient, or leaving enough time between applications to allow the skin to calm down and prepare for the next step in your routine.
As I advise with all new skincare products, the easiest way to ensure there are no side effects is to do a 24-hour patch test. Apply 10p of the product to your forearm and leave it on for 24 hours. If you don’t feel any irritation after this, you can apply the formula to your face.
How long does mandelic acid stay on?
This depends a lot on the product that mandelic acid is formulated with. For example, if you use a face wash or cleanser, it will usually take 5 minutes before the product is rinsed off the skin. Other products, such as serums and moisturizers, can stay on the skin for longer. Generally, you should keep using until your skin has developed a tolerance to the acid, especially if you have a very sensitive skin type that is prone to rashes.
If you’re concerned that the acid may cause dryness, combine it with hyaluronic acid, as this keeps the skin hydrated and healthy, and allows the lipid barrier to function properly. This means it protects the skin from free radicals and other environmental influences.
Does mandelic acid help fight wrinkles?
Yes, you can, because this clever active ingredient is good for your skin. By stimulating collagen production, mandelic acid can help skin become firmer, plumper and more youthful. You’ll also find that it removes dead skin cell buildup, dirt, bacteria and dry skin from the top layer of your skin. Fine lines and wrinkles can appear worse if these remain on the surface, but once the dead skin cells are sloughed off, there will be noticeable improvement.
If you have any further questions, feel free to visit us and follow us on Instagram. There you’ll find one of our skin care experts who will be happy to help you.
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.