Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
A gentler alpha hydroxy acid serum that improves skin clarity, uneven tone, and texture while distributing more slowly than many other AHAs.
A smart choice for someone who wants exfoliation but finds stronger acids like glycolic acid too aggressive.
The Ordinary's glycolic and lactic formulas have a dedicated following but a vocal group who finds them too harsh. Mandelic Acid 10% + HA captures exactly the people who want real AHA exfoliation but have been burned before — and the addition of pepperberry to specifically manage the sting sensation is a thoughtful formulation choice.
Evening only — after cleansing on dry skin, before moisturizer. Start 2x per week and build to 3–4x. SPF every single morning while using any AHA.
Acid beginners, sensitive-adjacent users, darker skin tones wanting lower post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation risk from exfoliation, and anyone who has had a bad experience with glycolic acid but still wants the clear, radiant skin that consistent AHA use delivers.
If stacked with glycolic acid, lactic acid, or a peeling solution on the same night, or used every day before the skin has adapted. Even the gentlest AHA needs a gradual introduction.
Stop immediately, switch to a bland barrier-repair moisturizer, and wait until skin is fully settled before reintroducing at once a week. AHA damage to an already-compromised barrier happens quickly and requires patience to recover from.
- A ceramide-rich moisturizer immediately after to support the barrier during exfoliation
- SPF 30+ every morning — mandatory, not optional, with any AHA use
- Niacinamide in the morning for complementary tone-evening support that doesn't interfere with the evening AHA step
Best For
- Uneven tone
- Texture
- Dullness
- Gentle exfoliation
- Beginners to direct acids
How to Use
Apply in the evening after cleansing and before moisturizer. Start with 2x per week and build up slowly. Always use SPF 30+ the following morning.
Key Ingredients
Mandelic acid exfoliates by breaking the bonds between dead skin cells (chemical exfoliation), improving texture, clarity, and uneven tone. Its slower penetration rate makes it significantly more tolerable than glycolic acid, while still delivering meaningful exfoliation. It also has documented antimicrobial properties making it useful for acne-adjacent skin concerns.
Draws water to the skin and helps lock it in, making skin appear plumper, smoother, and more hydrated.
Provides antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory benefits. Used in formulas targeting radiance and skin comfort.
Ingredients to Note
May be a concern for some skin types. Tap to learn more.
May be a concern for some skin types. Tap to learn more.
Full Ingredient List
About This Product
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA delivers one of the largest AHA molecules — mandelic acid (molecular weight 152 Da) — at a 10% concentration in a base that includes multi-weight hyaluronic acid and Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract (pepperberry). Mandelic acid's larger molecule size means it distributes more slowly across the skin than glycolic (76 Da) or lactic (90 Da) acid, resulting in meaningful exfoliation with a significantly gentler tolerance profile. The pepperberry extract is included specifically to manage the stinging sensation that even gentle acids can cause on sensitive skin. The combination makes this The Ordinary's most accessible AHA serum for sensitive-adjacent users who want real chemical exfoliation without the harshness of glycolic acid.