Everyone benefits in some way from a skincare routine that includes AHAs. Whether it’s a PHA, lactic acid, or glycolic acid, you’ll find the one that works best for your skin type. Vitamin C is an ingredient that may take more time to incorporate into your daily routine.
Could combining these powerful forces boost your performance, or could it spell disaster? That’s exactly what we’ll be exploring in today’s blog post. Before we dive in, let’s take a quick look at what these ingredients do for your skin and the benefits you can expect.
What is Mandelic Acid?
An acid that belongs to the AHA class of chemical peels, also known as an alpha hydroxy acid.
Derived from Bitter Almond and synthetically manufactured to be added to skin care formulations.
Known as one of the mildest acids, it is suitable for those with sensitive skin types.
Effectively removes dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, debris and other impurities from the skin.
Exfoliation brings new skin cells to the surface and tightens the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Even though it’s a mild acid, it also penetrates the skin and reaches the pores, removing excess sebum, dirt, and other forms of bacteria.
If you want to learn more about mandelic acid, check out our dedicated blog post.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid or ascorbic acid.
Rich in antioxidants, it helps protect the skin from overexposure to free radicals such as pollution, UV rays, central heating and other environmental aggressors.
Targets areas of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, sun damage and post-acne scars.
Revitalizes the complexion, restoring radiance and radiance.
Boosts collagen production for firmer skin with youthful elasticity.
Contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the onset of skin redness and similar problems.
Learn more about vitamin C in The Beauty Insiders.
What not to mix with mandelic acid?
While I mentioned that mandelic acid is very gentle, it still exfoliates the skin and can cause some side effects if used with the wrong ingredients.
Ingredients that should not be mixed with mandelic acid include other AHAs (such as glycolic acid), BHAs (such as salicylic acid) (especially in chemical peels), and retinol.
Can AHAs and Vitamin C Be Used Together?
It is possible, but make sure to use them correctly together to avoid unwanted side effects. There are several ways to effectively combine AHAs and vitamin C.
Option 1-
Apply your AHA with your cleanser or exfoliating toner, wait about 10 minutes, and then apply your vitamin C-enriched serum. Make sure to allow enough time between uses to counteract the risk of irritation. This is due to the skin’s natural pH, the balance is restored and the skin is ready for further use.
Option 2-
Use AHA-rich products and vitamin C products at different times of the day. Apply vitamin C in the morning to give your skin a radiant glow thanks to its antioxidant properties. Use an AHA product (whether it’s a toner or a serum) at night to clear your skin of impurities and other deposits.
If you’re new to any of the ingredients and planning to introduce a new product into your routine, I recommend doing a 24-hour patch test before applying any product to your face.
Do I need to use a moisturizer after using mandelic acid?
Yes, exactly. In fact, applying a moisturizer after mandelic acid will help counteract the dryness and irritation caused by chemical peels. You’ll also find that moisturizers create a physical barrier on the skin’s surface.
This barrier ensures that the active ingredients used can function without interference from free radicals such as environmental pollution. You’ll also find that a layer of moisturizer helps retain surface moisture, helping to keep the lipid barrier healthy and normal.
Which toner should I use before using a vitamin C serum?
You can use any toner before your vitamin C serum. It is very important to allow enough time between applications. Adhering to this time will also bring the pH back into balance, preventing skin irritation, redness, and itching.
You’ll also find that using a toner with exfoliating acids can remove the buildup of dead skin cells and flaky skin that normally acts as a barrier to keep other ingredients from penetrating.
Can mandelic acid be taken every day?
Yes, it is possible as long as your skin has developed a tolerance to it, especially if your skin type is dry and prone to sensitivity. To improve skin tolerance, first perform a patch test. This way you can see how the ingredient affects you and your skin.
The molecular size of mandelic acid is very large, which means it cannot penetrate the skin as deeply as other acids such as salicylic or glycolic acid. This supports the action of mandelic acid on the outer layer of the skin, helping to bring new skin cells to the surface, leaving behind a radiant, healthy and happy complexion.
There you’ll find more information on mandelic acid and vitamin C. Both of these substances have rejuvenating properties that increase collagen and give the complexion a healthy, youthful elasticity. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to our skincare experts on Instagram. You can find them in private messages.