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Word on the street — and by "street" I really mean Reddit — is The Orindary is dropping a brand-new skin-care product next month, and it contains a rather mysterious ingredient that many of you may not have heard of before. Intrigued? Me too.
Enter mandelic acid, a lesser known alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that, much like its glycolic and salicylic counterparts, exfoliates the skin by accelerating cell turnover, which in turn improves the overall texture and tone of skin. Sejal Shah, a New York City-based dermatologist, says the acid can also aid in fading fine lines and wrinkles, as well as discoloration and acne. "Because mandelic acid is oil-soluble, it works at both the surface of the skin and deeper down in the pores," she tells Allure. What's more: It's supposedly gentler on sensitive skin types, as Shah explains it has a larger molecule size compared to most other AHAs, which doesn't allow it to penetrate as deeply, ultimately making it less irritating for those with reactive skin.
Adam Friedman, the associate director of dermatology at The GW Medical Faculty Associates, explains that mandelic acid has actually been used in chemical peels for quite some time now, which would make sense seeing as the whole goal of those treatments is to resurface the skin. (Fun fact: He says mandelic acid is derived from almonds!)
Even better? Both experts say mandelic acid has antimicrobial or antibacterial properties, which means it helps combat acne-causing bacteria and the spreading of germs. (A huge bonus if you ask us.)
But going back to The Ordinary's version of the stuff, we'll have to wait until next month to get our hands on what's sure to be another bomb product from the effective-meets-affordable skin-care brand. In the meantime, there are other products on the market containing the hero ingredient that couldn't hurt to try now. This serum by Rosacea Care, for instance, is specifically for rosacea and redness-prone skin and contains green tea and vitamin K, in addition to mandelic acid. VMV Hypoallergenics also makes a mandelic acid-infused toner that targets acne and hyperpigmentation.
Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming product and its official launch date — we'll be on the lookout.
Related stories:
- The Ordinary Is Coming Out With a Follow-up to Its Massively Successful Serum Foundation
- Here's Exactly What Salicylic Acid Does to Your Skin
- ColourPop Will Soon Be Available at Sephora
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