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.