Formula · 8.7

Brand · 8.3

The Ordinary · mandelic acid 10% · Canada

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
8.7

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.8Actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2
  • Active concentration1.0Declared concentration of mandelic acid; the rest — by position in the list
  • Completeness for the purpose0.8For “skin texture and pores” — 75 %; without niacinamide, which makes pores less visible; without a retinoid — it renews the skin deeper than acids; could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3), retinoid; a broad formula across 3 purposes
  • Tolerance1.0No ingredients from irritant or allergen lists
  • adults
  • sensitive skinthe gentlest AHA; start 1–2 times a week
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • atopic skin
  • dry skin
  • pregnancyfew safety data — ask a doctor
  • rosaceanot on inflamed skin
  • in the sunSPF is a must in the daytime
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable.
When:
  • leave-on
  • evening
in the evening, 2–3 times a week; SPF in the daytime
When to expect an effect: texture, glow — 2–4 weeks; spots — 8–12; hydration — immediately; lasting effect — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: mild tingling for 1–2 minutes

Ingredients — 12 components · 2 work

What works: 2 of 12 ingredients: mandelic acid, hyaluronic acid. Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable.

Strengths: active concentration, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2; completeness for the purpose: for “skin texture and pores” — 75 %

Questions: no debatable ingredients in the formula

  • Propanediol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent from corn sugar: it holds water and helps actives dissolve. A gentler replacement for propylene glycol.
  • Aqua (Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Mandelic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: mandelic acid (AHA)
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Dimethyl Isosorbide base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: crosspolymer
  • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • Pentylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Polysorbate 20 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Sodium Hydroxide base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Ethylhexylglycerin base: coating, fillers · a preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient: it barely preserves on its own but helps phenoxyethanol work and lowers the amount needed.
  • 1,2-Hexanediol base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • Caprylyl Glycol base: coating, fillers · a humectant that also holds bacteria back, which is why it often replaces part of the preservative.

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is a product whose active ingredient is mandelic acid + hyaluronic acid at a declared 10 %. The effect is moderately supported: mandelic acid, hyaluronic acid. The formula has 12 ingredients, 2 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone, atopic skin, dry skin. pregnancy, rosacea, in the sun — ask a doctor. Use: in the evening, 2–3 times a week; SPF in the daytime. When to expect an effect: texture, glow — 2–4 weeks; spots — 8–12. Label score — 8.7 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 0 of 2; for “skin texture and pores” — 75 %; without niacinamide, which makes pores less visible; without a retinoid — it renews the skin deeper than acids; could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3), retinoid; a broad formula across 3 purposes). The brand states: use in the evening; sun protection is required in the daytime afterwards.

Who it does not suit

When to stop: burning, persistent redness — stop; not the same evening as a retinoid; tightness in dry air — apply under a cream

Per the maker's leaflet: The brand states: use in the evening; sun protection is required in the daytime afterwards.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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