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The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA for dry skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

Superior

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best products for dry skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 excellent exfoliation for your dry or flaky skin due to the 10% mandelic acid, which effectively smooths texture and decongests pores while Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer provide superior hydration.
  • Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract further enhances the soothing and moisturizing benefits, making it ideal for dry skin.
  • The product is safe for your dry skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components that prevent irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week, increasing slowly to twice a week if your dry skin tolerates it well. Always remember to apply SPF every morning to protect your newly smoothed skin.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but always before your rich moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute. Avoid rubbing to prevent any irritation on flaky areas.
  • Apply the product directly to dry clean skin to ensure the best possible tolerance for your dry type. This helps address flaky patches without causing extra stress.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a quick patch test before your very first use. Do not mix this with other strong acids or retinoids on the same night.

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 dry skin?

This exfoliant treatment is one of the best fits because its mandelic acid smoothly lifts away flakes while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate bring in deep hydration. It also includes soothing plant extracts that help calm dry skin and prevent irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

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

Mandelic acid smooths rough texture while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate bring in deep moisture, making this a great fit for dry skin. Tasmannia lanceolata leaf extract adds extra soothing benefits that help prevent irritation.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Mandelic Acid do for dry skin?

Mandelic acid helps keep dry skin smooth and hydrated while improving overall texture. When combined with nourishing ingredients like Centella asiatica, it can also significantly improve skin firmness and reduce crepiness without causing excessive irritation.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2026

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry skin?

Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into dry skin, giving an immediate and lasting boost in hydration that helps smooth out fine lines and soften rough patches. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving overall skin smoothness and plumpness.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. You can start by using it once a week, and then carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results.

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

Using this exfoliant with retinol may easily cause irritation on dry skin, so it is best to use them on alternate nights rather than together. Apply the exfoliant first after cleansing in your evening routine, and always follow with a good moisturizer to keep your skin calm and hydrated.

How often should I use it?

Start by using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your dry skin handles it well, you may carefully use it more often. It helps smooth dry texture and clear flakes while keeping skin comfortable and hydrated.

Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This exfoliant treatment is unlikely to clog pores and has a low likelihood of causing initial purging on dry skin. It helps smooth texture and decongest pores while soothing components like Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract prevent irritation, though reviewers frequently mention an oily residue.

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

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