Final Up to date on July 11, 2026 by omgbart
Mandelic acid is probably the most underrated acid in skincare, full cease. Quiet half out loud: glycolic acid’s reign because the default chemical exfoliant is generally behavior, not superiority. Truly, might or not it’s notoriety?
For so long as I can bear in mind, chemical exfoliation has been synonymous with glycolic acid. It’s efficient, no argument there, however loads of us would really see higher outcomes swapping in mandelic acid as an alternative. Right here’s my brief checklist of causes, beginning with the Sofie Pavitt Mandelic Clearing Serum.
Mandelic Acid vs. Glycolic Acid: What’s the Distinction?
Mandelic acid is a part of the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) household, alongside glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid. Its job is similar as any AHA: exfoliate the uppermost layer of useless pores and skin cells, velocity up mobile turnover, and go away pores and skin brighter and smoother.
The place it splits from glycolic acid is molecule dimension. Mandelic acid, derived from bitter almonds, has a a lot bigger molecular construction. Which means it will probably’t penetrate as deeply, so its exercise stays extra surface-level and is way simpler to tolerate. Translation: exfoliation with out the redness or irritation glycolic can set off, particularly at larger concentrations. Yay.
How the Sofie Pavitt Mandelic Clearing Serum Works
At the start, the Mandelic Clearing Serum delivers light exfoliation appropriate for each day use. And whereas it’s technically formulated for breakout-prone pores and skin, it really works simply as nicely for anybody coping with dullness, hyperpigmentation, or uneven texture. Even delicate pores and skin sorts can use it. It’s a genuinely well-formulated remedy and deserves your consideration.
What’s within the Mandelic Clearing Serum
Sofie Pavitt makes use of an 8% focus of mandelic acid for optimum exfoliating efficiency. To maintain that efficiency from tipping into irritation, the system additionally consists of glycerin, panthenol, and a number of types of hyaluronic acid, buffering elements that spherical out the acid and hold the expertise non-irritating.
How I Use It
The founder says the Mandelic Clearing Serum works for each AM and PM use. I keep on with nighttime solely, for 2 causes. First, any leave-on exfoliating acid will increase solar sensitivity, even below SPF. Second, whereas the serum is runny and absorbs nicely, it does really feel “barely current” on pores and skin. Not a movie, extra like an invisible layer that does greatest with an evening cream on prime.
I exploit this each different night time now, alternating with retinol (although you technically might use each in the identical routine, AHA earlier than vitamin A), adopted by a skinny layer of Bonjout Le Balm. Value noting: the system is unscented, one other level in its favor.
Worth, Outcomes, and The place to Purchase
At just below an oz., it is a splurge, no means round it. It additionally requires endurance. Sluggish, constant exfoliation is the way you get outcomes right here, this isn’t an overnight-transformation serum. Stick to each different night time, construct as much as nightly if you need or must, and use the total bottle earlier than judging outcomes. You’ll in all probability be repurchasing.
$54 (28ml) at sofiepavittface.com, sephora.com, and violetgrey.com
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