What is Mandelic Acid?
This post is in partnership and collaboration with Colleen Rothschild.
If you’ve been here a while, you know Colleen Rothschild is not new to me. I wrote about their products in 2017, on two different occasions because I loved their lineup so much. Truthfully not much has changed when it comes to my love for the brand. Their cleansing balm is still an OG favorite of mine, and not a single one comes close to removing the amount of makeup in just one cleanse as this one does so it’s definitely tried and true.
Two of my current favorite products (used daily) are the Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum and Sheer Renewal Cream.
What is mandelic acid?
First a little lesson on mandelic acid, and breaking down what it is. There’s lots of products on the market with mandelic mentioned, but what does it do?
“Mandelic acid is an approved aromatic, alpha hydroxy acid. Mandelic acid is used as an ingredient in cosmetics and drug products applied topically.” (National Library of Medicine).
As with all alpha hydroxy acids, they help to promote cell turnover but they are much gentler on the skin than say a chemical peel. Specifically the Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum from Colleen Rothschild is a daily treatment (daily means it is quite gentle) that promotes cellular turnover, addresses photo-aging, fine lines, acne, dark spots and overall skin texture. Derived from the bitter almond, Mandelic acid is a gentle yet highly effective alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum is formulated to gently exfoliate, dissolve and break down the tiny bonds between dull dead skin cells that sit on the skin’s surface. Over time, a brighter and more radiant complexion is unveiled.
Overall, this formula will help to:
Refine skin texture and tone
Reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Help unclog pores and remove blackheads
Inhibit dark spots and help uneven skin tone
Mandelic acid can be extremely helpful for problematic acne prone skin because it helps clear those dead skin cells off, unclogging pores and blackheads which ultimately removes that sebum off the skin making it cleaner over time. Acne is typically the result of buildup on the outside layer of the skin, and many skincare consumers forget they need to exfoliate. If your skin is sensitive, then more abrasive exfoliators may not be ideal but AHAs are usually a great way to do this (cue in the mandelic acid.)
"Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from almonds. All AHAs function to exfoliate the skin (and increase sun sensitivity, so sunscreen is a key part of using any AHA regimen). It is usually found in combination with other products, and functions to improve skin texture via exfoliation." (Byrdie).
Because this is an exfoliator, be careful about using this close to or around the eyes as that area is extremely sensitive. If you’re new around here, I’m going to remind you that we’re always careful about that area under and around our eyes because the skin is thinner and more likely to age, show redness and irritation. The phrase is often that you can tell a woman’s age by her under eyes, her neck or the backs of her hands so be gentle with all of those areas.
Keep the skin hydrated
When it comes to hydration, Colleen Rothschild has been the champion in this. In my opinion, the OG in cleansing balms has always been a super hydrating way to remove makeup. They started the wave of brands coming out with cleansing balms for makeup removal. It’s not stripping and uses an oil based formula to remove the makeup easily (rather than a drying formula that foams up) so with that in mind, you know their creams will be super hydrating.
The Sheer Renewal Cream is a lightweight, extremely effective formula that gives weightless hydration and helps promote new cell turnover to help minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. This cream mixed with the Mandelic Acid Radiance Serum are truly a match made in heaven to give you supple plump skin.
Cue in the discount
From March 29th through April 3rd, the Best Sellers Sale is on which means 25% off some of the best sellers.
CODE: BESTSELLER
Products Included:
Radiant Cleansing Balm (the OG in cleansing balms, must have!)
Sheer Renewal Cream (highly recommend adding to your cart!)
Intense Hydrating Mask (this works really well to rehydrated the skin; love this for a nice boost and I wake up with fresh skin)
Retinol Supreme Eye Serum (lightweight, hydrating, and instantly brightens)
Vitamin C Treatment Complex (we love a solid vit c and you won’t be disappointed with this one’s effectiveness)
Face Oil No 9 (lightweight, non clogging)
Retinol Supreme Night Oil (an incredible 2-in-1 which we love)
Glycolic Acid Peel Pads with Blue Agave (we love peel pads around here; another great add to the cart especially if your skin can handle AHAs and lactic acid)