By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water for oily acne-prone skin
Mandelic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Panthenol
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Sodium HyaluronateHigh
- HighOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few toners fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- This product offers excellent exfoliation for your oily skin, as mandelic acid effectively targets acne, blemishes, and breakouts by clearing pores and smoothing texture. Beta-glucan and panthenol further support hydration and skin barrier function, complementing the keratolytic action.
- The inclusion of Centella Asiatica Extract and Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract provides additional soothing benefits, which is advantageous for managing oiliness without causing irritation.
- The formulation is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of calming components.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start using your exfoliating toner once a week and slowly increase frequency if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or other treatments.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid any harsh rubbing .
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and completely dry skin to ensure the best results .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use daily SPF while using exfoliating active products.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 2.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this gentle exfoliating toner is widely praised by users with sensitive and acne-prone skin for its ability to smooth texture and brighten complexion without harsh irritation. It is effective at reducing closed comedones and hyperpigmentation over time, though it requires consistent use and may cause temporary stinging on active breakouts.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “didn't irritate my sensitive skin”
- “great starter acid”
- “no peeling or flaking”
Hydrating and lightweight Often Mentioned
- “absorbs right away”
- “feels hydrating not stripping”
- “watery and lightweight”
- “easy to layer”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin felt baby soft”
- “smoothed out bumps”
- “reduced roughness on nose”
- “texture looked visibly smoother”
Brightens and evens tone Sometimes Noted
- “faded acne scars”
- “gave me a rosy glow”
- “helped with hyperpigmentation”
- “skin looks more radiant”
Clears pores/acne Sometimes Noted
- “cleared up closed comedones”
- “pores look smaller”
- “helped with inflammatory acne”
- “reduced blackheads”
Stinging sensation Sometimes Noted
- “stings on popped pimples”
- “slight tingle upon application”
- “burned my active acne”
- “felt a pinprick sensation”
Purging/Breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused whiteheads initially”
- “broke me out in tiny bumps”
- “experienced some purging”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “takes weeks to see difference”
- “too mild for my skin”
- “didn't see drastic results immediately”
- “need consistency for effect”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “dries a tiny bit sticky”
- “felt tacky until absorbed”
- “left a slight film”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smells kind of chemically”
- “faint medicinal scent”
- “scent is a bit odd”
- “smells like bitter almonds”
Sources: lovi.care, yesstyle.com, iherb.com, influenster.com, skinsort.com, berriesinthesnow.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is a great fit because mandelic acid clears pores and smooths texture to tackle acne, while beta-glucan and panthenol keep skin hydrated. Centella asiatica and licorice root help calm the skin, making it a safe choice that manages oiliness without causing irritation.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Mandelic acid is a great fit because it clears pores and smooths texture to help manage acne, while beta-glucan, panthenol, and centella asiatica extract provide hydration and soothing benefits without causing irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Mandelic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Mandelic acid helps clear breakouts and manage oil on acne-prone skin with a lower chance of irritation than many other acids. It gently removes dead skin cells to keep pores clean and smooth.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
What does Beta-Glucan do for oily acne-prone skin?
Beta-glucan helps calm and hydrate oily acne-prone skin while supporting skin recovery after treatments. This ingredient keeps skin feeling soft and smooth without clogging pores, though an oily acne-prone routine also needs gentle cleansing and balancing ingredients to stay clear.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliating toner goes in your evening routine after cleansing, as Lovi routines start exfoliating steps once a week before carefully increasing frequency if tolerated well. Its mandelic acid clears pores and smooths texture while soothing ingredients help manage oiliness without causing irritation.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first and waiting for it to dry completely before layering your retinol. Because both ingredients help smooth texture and clear pores, using them together may increase dryness or sensitivity, so start slowly a few nights a week to see how your skin reacts.
How often should I use this toner?
Start by using this exfoliating toner once a week, and if your oily skin handles it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. The mandelic acid clears pores and smooths texture while soothing ingredients help manage oiliness without irritation.
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because mandelic acid clears pores and smooths texture to help manage breakouts. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and centella asiatica extract help calm the skin and keep irritation unlikely.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Treatment with 45% mandelic acid peel showed nearly equal overall efficacy as 30% salicylic acid peel in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris, but with fewer adverse effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Chemical peels using 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic-10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid reduce acne scores by 70.55%, 74.14%, and 69.7% respectively, and significantly decline the postacne hyperpigmentation index in Asian patients with mild to moderate acne.
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2019Commonly used chemical peels showed no significant differences in effectiveness for acne vulgaris in most comparisons, though combined salicylic and mandelic acid peeling was superior to glycolic acid and glycolic acid was superior to placebo, based on twelve randomized controlled trials.
BMJ Open, 2018Treatment with 30% lactic acid peel showed a significantly greater reduction in pigmentation and higher patient satisfaction compared to 30% mandelic acid peel in patients with periorbital melanosis.
Indian Dermatology Online Journal, 2025Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2022Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Mandelic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis 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
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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