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Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum for oily skin

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily skin; other products fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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

  • Offers moderate exfoliation for your oily skin due to the presence of mandelic acid, which aids in mild pore-cleansing benefits, and glycerin for humectant action.
  • Allantoin and panthenol are included to provide soothing effects, enhancing overall skin comfort.
  • The product is safe for your oily skin, as it lacks harsh ingredients and contains beneficial components like allantoin and panthenol.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
  • Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
  • Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.

People Say

★3.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this serum is frequently praised by users with sensitive or acne-prone skin for its gentle exfoliation that smooths texture without irritation. A significant portion of users dislike the cosmetic elegance, citing a sticky finish and pilling issues when layered with other skincare.

Highlights

  • Affordable price Often Mentioned
    • “can't beat the price”
    • “so affordable”
    • “great value for the ingredients”
  • Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
    • “no stinging whatsoever”
    • “great for sensitive skin”
    • “didn't leave me red like other acids”
  • Sticky finish Often Mentioned
    • “leaves a sticky feeling”
    • “hate the texture it leaves”
    • “jelly-like but stays tacky”
  • Clears acne Sometimes Noted
    • “cleared up my acne”
    • “shrunk my active cystic acne”
    • “majority of closed comedones cleared”
  • Smooths texture Sometimes Noted
    • “face feels less textured”
    • “skin has never been softer”
    • “smooths out dry patches”
  • Pilling issues Sometimes Noted
    • “clumps into little balls”
    • “does pill under moisturizer”
    • “product will clump if I moisturize after”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “broke me out”
    • “never seen so many closed comedones appear”
    • “caused small breakouts”

Sources: lovi.care, skinsort.com, ulta.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does the Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum work for oily skin?

Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum works moderately well for oily skin by offering mild pore-cleansing and soothing benefits with mandelic acid, glycerin, allantoin, and panthenol. To fit oily skin even better, an exfoliant treatment needs ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control excess oil and manage shine.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?

Mandelic acid and glycerin make this serum a good fit for oily skin by providing gentle pore-cleansing and drawing in moisture, while allantoin and panthenol help calm the skin and keep it comfortable. However, an exfoliant treatment for oily skin also needs ingredients like niacinamide or zinc PCA to control excess oil and manage shine.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Mandelic Acid do for oily skin?

Mandelic acid helps clear active breakouts and smooth uneven skin tone for oily skin with fewer side effects than many other acids. It is generally well-tolerated and works effectively to keep skin calm and clear.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Molecules, 2023

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps oily skin by reducing extra oil and sebum production without causing irritation. Clinical studies show it successfully balances oil levels while keeping the skin comfortable.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Oily skin works best with an exfoliating treatment that also includes pore-cleansing mandelic acid and hydrating glycerin.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying them on alternating nights to help prevent excessive skin irritation. When used in the same routine, exfoliating acids like mandelic acid should go on first, followed by your retinol once your skin builds tolerance. An oily skin routine with this type of treatment needs gentle exfoliants, soothing agents like allantoin and panthenol, and lightweight hydration from glycerin to keep pores clear and skin calm.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

How often should I use this serum?

Start by using this serum once a week in the evening, and if your skin feels comfortable and tolerates it well, you may carefully use it more often. Oily skin works best with an exfoliant treatment that combines gentle acids for pore-cleansing benefits with soothing ingredients to keep skin calm.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for oily skin since it lacks harsh ingredients and includes soothing components. However, an oily skin type needs a product with strong pore-cleansing benefits and lightweight hydration to prevent clogged pores entirely.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2002
  • A 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, 2025
  • 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, 2017
  • Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016
  • Treatment 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, 2020
  • Chemical 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, 2019
  • Commonly 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, 2018
  • Topical 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, 2011
  • Topical 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, 2022
  • Treatment 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
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
  • Moisturizer 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, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic 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, 2020
  • A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.

    Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020
  • An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.

    Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
  • Prophylactic application of a topical scar gel containing Allium cepae extract, allantoin, and heparin significantly improves patient-assessed scar color, stiffness, and irregularity compared to no treatment in women following a cesarean section.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014

Ingredients

Water, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Pca, Panthenol, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum

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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