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.
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.
