Why Mandelic Acid Is One Vogue Editor’s Holy-Grail Skin Salve

From puberty to the fully developed frontal-lobe years, I’ve struggled with acne-prone skin. Mandelic acid solved what years of trial and error with AHAs, BHAs, spot treatments, and facials seemingly couldn’t, producing consistently clearer skin. Celebrity aesthetician Sofie Pavitt (a.k.a. the acne whisperer) has long sung the praises of this gentle yet effective ingredient for clearing breakouts and even launched her own serum, which I love above all others. With mandelic acid, you get the same zit-zapping, congestion-clearing, exfoliating results without any of the irritation—which is why she developed her very own serum.

“Mandelic acid is my holy-grail ingredient for acne,” Pavitt tells Vogue. “A lot of acne brands steer toward salicylic because it’s an acne monographed ingredient by the FDA that allows them to claim it’s an acne product.” But she finds salicylic acid to be far too dehydrating. “Mandelic is not drying. It works on the surface of the skin to lightly buff away dead cells that can contribute to the formation of acne breakouts.”

It’s a derm favorite as well. Board-certified dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose previously told Vogue that it’s been popular among her peers for as long as she’s been practicing, but “it may be increasing in popularity due to increased awareness among consumers.”

Vogue’s Favorite Mandelic-Acid Products

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Whether you’re dealing with acne, hyperpigmentation, skin dullness, or congestion, scroll to discover the best mandelic-acid products on the market now.

Best Overall: Sofie Pavitt Mandelic Acid Clearing Serum

• Why We Love It: There aren’t enough words in the English language to express how much I love this serum. In short, thank you, Sofie Pavitt. I’ve never before been able to use an acne treatment daily without causing total irritation and flaring red rosacea speckles. After using this clearing serum for five months and counting, I’m never going back. The results are clear—clear skin, that is. “I love a daily exfoliating protocol for acne sufferers,” Pavitt says of why she developed her serum. “If you’re predisposed to acne, you shed dead cells at a higher rate than someone who isn’t prone. So helping your skin buff them away with something gentle works best.”
• Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, panthenol, hyaluronic acid
• Type: Serum
• How to Apply: Apply two to three pumps of the serum
• Size: 1 fl. oz.