🇮🇹Italy

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA for sensitive skin

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

Superior

  • SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best products for sensitive skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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

  • Excellent suitability for your normal skin with sensitivity as mandelic acid and Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract provide potent soothing and anti-inflammatory effects, addressing redness and irritation. Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer further support hydration and skin barrier function, enhancing overall comfort.
  • The 10% concentration of mandelic acid offers excellent exfoliation, smoothing skin texture without compromising your sensitive skin.
  • The product is safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming components like Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer.

How to apply

  • Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with redness and irritation. Start slowly and only increase frequency if your skin feels happy and comfortable.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner , but always before your moisturizer . This ensures the product absorbs properly into the skin.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing . Let it absorb for a minute before moving on.
  • Since your skin is sensitive , apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for the best tolerance. This helps prevent any extra stinging or discomfort.
  • Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviews

This serum is widely praised as an excellent entry-level exfoliant, particularly for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin who find other acids too harsh. Users consistently report a slow but steady improvement in skin texture and clarity, with a significant reduction in closed comedones and hormonal breakouts, though the oily consistency is a polarizing feature. Based on a very large amount of data, this should definitely be taken into account.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliant Mostly Mentioned
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin”
    • “gentle enough for sensitive skin yet noticeably improves texture”
    • “no stinging or burning sensation”
    • “best non-irritating AHA for sensitive skin”
  • Improves acne Often Mentioned
    • “completely clears closed comedones and acne”
    • “skin is much softer and even”
    • “less texture in the morning”
    • “pimples and acne dry out quickly”
  • Oily residue Often Mentioned
    • “sits on top of the skin and does not absorb”
    • “feels oily for hours after applying”
    • “ends up on my pillowcase”
    • “texture is a bit too greasy for my liking”
  • Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
    • “dark scars are clearer within 2 weeks”
    • “helped fade acne scars very well”
    • “pigmentation memudar (faded)”
    • “evened out my skin tone”
  • Hydrating effect Sometimes Noted
    • “leaves my skin radiant and clear”
    • “feels moisturizing, not stripping”
    • “gives a nice glow to the skin”
    • “didn't make my skin feel dry or tight”
  • Slow results Sometimes Noted
    • “not a miracle worker overnight”
    • “takes time to work”
    • “results are slow and steady”
    • “need to be consistent for weeks”
  • Initial purging Rarely Noted
    • “woke up with a cluster of small bumps”
    • “caused a bit of purging at first”
    • “broke me out initially”
  • Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
    • “has a slight chemical smell”
    • “smells a bit like vinegar”
    • “scent is not the best”

Sources: lovi.care, theordinary.com, sephora.com, influenster.com, amazon.com, target.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA one of the best fits for sensitive skin?

This product is an exceptionally good fit because its mandelic acid and Tasmannia lanceolata fruit extract soothe and calm redness and irritation while smoothing your skin texture. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate further support hydration and strengthen your skin barrier, ensuring a very safe and comfortable experience.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for sensitive skin?

Mandelic acid and Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract make this exfoliant a great fit for sensitive skin by providing soothing effects that calm redness and irritation. Additionally, glycerin and sodium hyaluronate support hydration and keep the skin barrier comfortable.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Mandelic Acid do for sensitive skin?

Mandelic acid is generally well tolerated by sensitive skin, helping to smooth roughness and improve firmness while keeping side effects low. It may also help clear acne and reduce dark spots effectively without being too harsh.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for sensitive skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm and hydrate sensitive skin while supporting the skin barrier to keep it soft and comfortable. Clinical studies show it improves surface moisture and reduces dryness, roughness, and redness without irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?

This exfoliant goes in your evening routine, used once a week to start. It helps smooth skin texture while keeping sensitive skin comfortable thanks to soothing ingredients and gentle exfoliation.

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

You can use this exfoliant and retinol in the same routine, but it is best to use them on alternate nights to prevent irritation on sensitive skin. Applying both together may be too harsh and cause redness or dryness.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start by using this exfoliant just once a week in your evening routine, and carefully increase the frequency only if your skin handles it well. Mandelic acid smooths skin texture while soothing ingredients like glycerin and Tasmannia Lanceolata help keep sensitive skin calm and comfortable.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores, but it may cause a low likelihood of initial breakouts or purging for sensitive skin. The formula is very safe for your skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming components like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this exfoliant 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
  • 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
  • Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
  • A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.

    Molecules, 2021
  • Sustainable cosmetic products formulated with renewable PDO-based emulsifiers showed equivalent performance in sensory and moisturization evaluations compared to those formulated with petroleum-derived PEG-based emulsifiers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
  • Topical Tasmannia lanceolata extract reduced skin roughness, increased firmness, dermal density, and thickness of stabilized stretch marks compared to placebo in 29 women over 8 weeks, alongside increased pro-collagen I, elastin, and TGF-beta concentrations in ex vivo human skin explants.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Ingredients

Propanediol, Water, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract Fruit, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol

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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Prices checked 16 Oct 2026

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