Ingredient glossary / Exfoliant
Mandelic acid (AHA)
On the label: Mandelic Acid · Exfoliant
What it is
An alpha hydroxy acid from bitter almonds with a large molecule, so it penetrates slowly; used for gentler exfoliation.
Exfoliants: Exfoliants remove dead cells from the surface, by chemistry (acids, enzymes) or by rubbing (physical scrubs).
Wikidata: Analogs or derivatives of mandelic acid (alpha-hydroxybenzeneacetic acid). Q76695938 →
In the research
61 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Follicle-Targeted Deep Eutectic Solvent-Lipid Hybrid Nanocarriers for Phloretin against Androgenetic Alopecia · ACS applied materials & interfaces, 2026
- A Moisturizer With Centella asiatica and Mandelic Acid Reduces Bruising and Speeds Recovery in Mature Skin · Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 2026
- A Novel Moisturizer Formulated With Micronized Centella asiatica and Mandelic Acid Improves Mature, Crepey Skin · Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Other exfoliants
Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.