A good skincare routine should include exfoliation as it helps remove dead skin cells, prevent breakouts, and improve skin texture.
You might have come across the names of chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, lactic and mandelic acid), beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), and other acids like azelaic acid, etc.
Out of these, mandelic acid and lactic acid both belong to AHA group and have amazing skin benefits. They are both gentle on the skin in comparison to glycolic acid, which is a potent alpha hydroxy acid.
Both mandelic and lactic acid help gently exfoliate dead skin cells, which can otherwise lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and dullness. Incorporating these acids into your skincare routine can greatly reduce hyperpigmentation and boost your skin elasticity since AHAs are known to boost collagen production.
Read on to learn all about mandelic acid and lactic acid, how they differ, and how they can address your skin concerns.
PRO TIP: If you’re new to chemical exfoliation and all those acids, make sure to read my comparison and learn about differences between AHA vs. BHA vs. PHA. It’s extremely important to choose the right exfoliator to your skin type, to avoid irritation.
Lactic Acid Vs. Mandelic Acid – Key Differences
Here are some key differences between mandelic acid vs lactic acid that set them apart due to your unique characteristics. Let’s get started:
1. Suitability For Different Skin Types
- Lactic acid:
Lactic acid is suitable for most skin types, including normal, dry, and sensitive skin types. If you have very delicate or reactive skin, it might be a little harsh for you, so you can choose a face acid that is gentler and safer.
- Mandelic acid:
It is great for all skin types, especially sensitive, reactive, mature, acne-prone, and oily skin types1.
2. How Long Does It Take To See The Results?
- Lactic acid:
The immediate results of lactic acid such as smooth and soft skin show up soon after you start using it. You will find your skin texture, tone, and moderate acne improving within 4-6 weeks. As for reduced fine lines, scarring, and sun damage, the results are prominent after 8-12 weeks2,3.
- Mandelic acid:
You will start noticing fresh brighter skin with improvement in texture around 4-6 weeks. It improves acne within 1-2 weeks4,5.
3. Molecular Size
- Lactic acid:
Its molecular size is smaller than mandelic acid, which means it penetrates the skin deeper6.
- Mandelic acid:
It has a larger molecular size, which is why it is considered a gentle alpha hydroxy acid as compared to other AHAs like lactic acid, or glycolic acid7.
4. Skin Penetration
- Lactic acid:
It penetrates the skin faster than mandelic acid.
- Mandelic acid:
Due to its bigger molecular size, mandelic acid penetrates the skin slower than lactic or glycolic acid. This feature makes it safe for very sensitive skin types.
5. Exfoliation
- Lactic acid:
It offers deeper exfoliation as compared to mandelic acid.
- Mandelic acid:
Mandelic acid is a gentler chemical exfoliant among the alpha hydroxy acid group.
6. Sensitive Skin Irritation
- Lactic acid:
It can irritate reactive or very sensitive skin due to its smaller molecular size and ability to penetrate deeper into the skin.
- Mandelic acid:
Since it has a large molecular size which slows down its skin absorption, mandelic acid is a gentler alternative to lactic acid or any other exfoliant in terms of skin irritation.
7. Solubility
- Lactic acid:
Like most AHAs, lactic acid is water soluble.
- Mandelic acid:
Mandelic acid is both water-soluble and oil-soluble, which is why it can penetrate oily skin and enlarged pores to regulate oil production, making it a better option for oily and acne-prone skin types.
8. Source
- Lactic acid:
Lactic acid, also called milk acid is found in milk, sugarcane, and fermented dairy/plant products.
- Mandelic acid:
It is naturally found in bitter almonds.
Everything You Need To Know About Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is one of the skincare acids belonging to the Alpha hydroxy acids, famous for effective exfoliation.
Lactic acid, also called milk acid is naturally found in milk, sugar cane, and fermented products. It has a larger molecular size as compared to glycolic acid, one of the popular AHAs, but smaller than mandelic acid.
It gently exfoliates the dead skin cells and removes impurities, improving the skin texture and skin tone. The sodium salt of lactic acid, known as sodium lactate, works as a humectant and draws moisture from the air8.
This property makes lactic acid amazing for people with dry skin because it not only removes dry and rough skin cells but adds hydration to the skin while strengthening the skin’s barrier.
It is safe for most skin types, especially for people with dry, normal, combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin.
If you have reactive skin, or if you are new to face acids, it is preferable to use them in lower concentration and always perform a patch test.
Benefits Of Lactic Acid
The benefits of lactic acid are as follows:
- Gentle exfoliation
It removes dead cell debris, increases skin cell turnover, and reveals fresh, glowing skin.
- Great alternative to glycolic acid
If glycolic acid is too harsh for your skin, you can reap the benefits of chemical exfoliation by using lactic acid instead, which gets the job done with very less irritation9.
- Boosts your skin barrier
It hydrates the skin and supports the skin’s barrier.
- Reduces signs of aging
Studies show that regular use of lactic acid helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and pigmentation10.
- Softer and smoother skin
Lactic acid helps improve skin texture, leaving you with soft and smooth skin11.
- Brightens the skin
It removes dullness and helps brighten the skin complexion, especially when used together with vitamin C in the skincare routine12.
- Great for Keratosis Pilaris
Lactic acid is known for its effectiveness against Keratosis Pilaris as it helps unplug the keratin which clogs pores13.
Who Should Use Lactic Acid
Though anyone can use lactic acid, it is most suited to normal, dry, combination, and mature skin types.
Does Lactic Acid Have Any Side Effects?
Usually, AHAs can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so it is important to use sunscreen daily to avoid any sun damage.
Always perform a patch test to rule out any allergic reaction ( which may present as redness, itching, burning, and stinging).
Everything You Need To Know About Mandelic Acid
Mandelic acid is the mildest among AHAs. It is naturally found in bitter almonds and has a large molecular size, which slows down its absorption into the skin, making it gentle for all skin types, including sensitive or reactive skin.
Mandelic acid exfoliates dead skin cells, improves uneven skin tone, heals acne scars, fights acne, and reduces the signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, age spots, and sunspots.
Another characteristic of mandelic acid is its ability to regulate sebum production, due to its oil-soluble nature (FYI: most AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid are water soluble, and BHAs like salicylic acid are oil soluble; mandelic acid has both properties).
This helps control the oiliness, making it great for anyone with oily and acne-prone skin type. It has been backed by clinical studies that mandelic acid is great for regulating sebum production in mature skin types14.
Mandelic acid is great for oily, acne-prone, sensitive, reactive, and mature skin types.
Benefits Of Mandelic Acid
These are the benefits of mandelic acid:
- Effective acne treatment
It has antibacterial properties, which makes it a great ingredient to add to your skincare routine for treating acne. It also reduces blackheads.
- Glowing complexion
It brightens the skin and adds a healthy glow to it.
- Anti-aging benefits
Using mandelic acid reduces signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage.
- Improves uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation
Due to its ability to reduce discoloration, dark spots, pigmentation, scarring, and inflammation (including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), it evens out the skin tone.
- Enhances texture
It increases skin cell turnover and removes dead skin cells, eliminating dull and rough patches, which leaves you with smoother skin.
- Great for sensitive skin
As it is anti-inflammatory and gentler than other AHAs, it is a better choice for individuals with sensitive or inflamed skin.
Who Should Use Mandelic Acid
Individuals with oily, acne-prone, sensitive, reactive, and mature skin types should use mandelic acid.
Possible Side Effects Of Mandelic Acid
It can increase skin’s sensitivity due to its photosensitive nature, hence you should regularly use sunscreen to avoid any harm to your skin.
Since chemical exfoliants might dry out the skin, use hydrating ingredients in your skincare routine e.g. hyaluronic acid, glycerin, etc. Many brands have moisturizing ingredients in their products containing acids to ensure that the skin stays hydrated.
Always remember to patch test to rule out any allergic reaction.
Which Is Better: Mandelic Acid Or Lactic Acid?
Now that you know all about mandelic acid and lactic acid, I am sure you must have decided whether you’ll be incorporating a lactic acid serum or a mandelic acid serum into your skincare regimen.
Both mandelic and lactic acids are organic skincare acids. Being good alternatives to glycolic acid, they improve skin tone and texture, exfoliate dead skin gently, brighten the complexion, reduce signs of aging, and provide their unique benefits.
Lactic acid is great for dry skin as it boosts skin hydration while exfoliating dead skin debris. Though it is great for most skin types, it might irritate reactive skin. Hence, if you have a reactive skin type, mandelic acid is a better option for you.
Speaking of mandelic acid, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and exfoliating properties, which make it great for treating acne. It reduces discoloration or any pigmentation (melasma, brown spots, etc.), as it can inhibit the formation of melanin.
Mandelic acid is a better choice for people with sensitive, reactive, mature, oily, and acne-prone skin.
Lactic acid is great for normal, combination, and dry skin.
Mandelic Acid Vs. Lactic Acid – Which Is Better For Melasma?
Though both these work to reduce melasma, mandelic acid is better as it inhibits the formation of melanin by inhibiting a certain enzyme. Secondly, it is anti-inflammatory and gentler on the skin, which means reduced chances of irritation15,16.
Mandelic Vs. Lactic Acid – Which Is Better For Hyperpigmentation & Dark Spots?
Mandelic acid is better for hyperpigmentation and dark spots because of its ability to prevent melanin formation and also lesser chances of skin sensitivity and irritation.
Mandelic Vs. Lactic Acid – Which Is Better For Acne?
Since mandelic acid has antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, it is better to treat acne and fade acne scarring.
Mandelic Acid Vs. Lactic Acid – Which Is Better For Oily Skin?
As mandelic acid regulates sebum production, it is better for oily skin.
Lactic Vs. Mandelic Acid – Which Is Better For Aging/Mature Skin?
Mandelic acid helps regulate sebum production, preventing the skin from drying out in aging individuals.
Both lactic and mandelic acid boost collagen production, increase cell turnover, and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and more. Choose the face acid according to your skin concerns.
Lactic Vs. Mandelic Acid – Which Is Better For Dry Skin?
Since lactic acid has hydrating benefits, it is better for dry skin.
Can You Use Lactic Acid And Mandelic Acid At The Same Time?
Yes, you can use lactic acid and mandelic acid at the same time, as they are both AHAs. Some products/peels contain both ingredients, which in my opinion is better than layering them separately.
Since you should be careful when using chemical exfoliants, it is better to use either of the two ingredients at one time. If you have dry skin, use lactic acid. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, use mandelic acid.
AHAs should be used in the evening routine preferably to avoid photosensitivity. Also, do not forget to use good sunscreen to protect your skin.
Which Acid Is Best For Hyperpigmentation?
These are some of the acids that are best for hyperpigmentation:
- Kojic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Mandelic acid
- Lactic acid
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
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Sources of other pictures:
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Resources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/
- https://naturium.com/
- https://www.healthline.com/
- https://www.termedia.pl/
- https://www.abeautyedit.com/
- https://jddonline.com/
- https://drdavinlim.com/
- https://www.vivantskincare.com/
- https://www.thieme-connect.com/
