When it comes to exfoliating acids, I’m a huge skeptic. I have no doubt that they work, but at what cost? Strong peels and exfoliants lift away the top layer of the skin and create a smoother, more evenly toned complexion. However, doing so repeatedly creates what some refer to as “acid face”, as in thin, unhealthy-looking skin that eventually becomes quite uneven in both tone and texture as it tries to compensate for the over exfoliation done to it. Often, people who overdo it with strong acids will develop wrinkles as their skin struggles to retain enough moisture to stay plump. Another note - most exfoliating acids create some level of photo-sensitivity (as in, sensitivity to sunlight), which makes them not ideal during the sunny seasons and especially if the user is not too diligent with their sunscreen use - and that can lead to pigmentation spots. Again, one could do more harm than good with careless acid use, especially in the sunny climates. Did I scare you yet?
With all of that said, do I still use some acids? Absolutely! There are gentle alternatives with low concentrations that still give fantastic effects. Sure, you might have to wait days or even weeks to notice the gradual changes (as opposed to an immediate effect from a strong peel), but the skin’s protective barrier won’t be compromised and you will not end up with damaged, wrinkled skin full of newly developed pigmentation spots. I’ve seen people ask about By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water, so I decided to try it. It has a mild exfoliant (mandelic acid) at what I would consider a low concentration (5%). It’s available on Wishtrend, eBay and Amazon.
Active ingredients:
Mandelic Acid - a type of AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), this is a mild exfoliator derived from almonds
Beta-Glucan - a skin soothing agent with antioxidant properties, reduces redness and is great for sensitive skin
Panthenol - vitamin B5, moisturizes and boosts the skin’s natural regeneration abilities
Centella Asiatica Extract - a soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredient popular in products for sensitive and acne-prone skin
Sodium Hyaluronate - attracts environmental moisture to the skin for superior hydration
This product is free of ethanol, parabens, silicone, steroids, artificial colors and fragrances. It’s cruelty free and vegan friendly. The pH is 4.5 ± 1.0. It’s recommended for all skin types, but especially for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone people.
How to use:
Apply to clean skin before or instead of toner (this product isn’t meant to replace a toner, as it is an exfoliator, but as usual - listen to your skin)
Follow with the rest of your routine (moisturize well!)
Can be used up to 3-4 times a week, but stick to 2-3 times if you have sensitive or dry skin
The manufacturer doesn’t recommend using it together with retinol, high concentration of vitamin C, or other acids (AHA/BHA) to avoid irritating the skin
My impressions:
I have combination skin with an oily t-zone and dry-to-normal cheeks. I also have freckles. I like to use mild anti-pigmentation exfoliants in the Fall/Winter to get the skin as even as possible before the warm seasons start (last year I was using this overnight mask). This year I chose the By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water.
I’ve been using this product about 3 times a week for a few weeks before bed, followed by a hydrating toner, a serum, and either cream or a sleeping pack. The only thing I don’t love about it is the smell. It’s very faint and dissipates quickly, but if you decide to sniff the bottle up close (oh, the things I do as a blogger!), you will get a whiff of something quite medicinal. And that makes sense - the product contains various extracts plus mandelic acid but no artificial fragrance. I would take a mild medicinal smell over artificial bubblegum scents any day, so it’s not a deal breaker for me at all.
Now to the things I like. As the name suggests, the product is quite watery, which makes it absorb right away without any residue or stickiness. Quite quickly, after just a couple of uses, my skin became much softer to the touch. Now, after several weeks, the freckles have lightened and the soft, smooth feeling have stayed. I didn’t experience any negative results that can be sometimes associated with stronger acidic exfoliants - no peeling and no flaking. Overall, I really like it. I think this bottle will easily last me the whole season. It could probably be safely used all year, but I still prefer to stay away from exfoliating acids in the warm months (except for an occasional peeling pad).
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I bought this product on 0.8L
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water Ingredients: Water, Mandelic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sorbitol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, Arginine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Natto Gum, Carbomer