By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water for dry skin
Mandelic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Panthenol
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract
Sodium HyaluronateLow
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ConcerningSafety
A weak match for dry skin; the toners alongside fit it better.
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 moderate exfoliation for your dry or flaky skin due to the presence of mandelic acid, which gently chemically exfoliates, but it lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients to fully address dryness.
- Sodium hyaluronate and beta-glucan provide humectant action, though additional emollient and occlusive ingredients would enhance hydration for your dry skin.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliating toner as part of your PM routine once a week to start. If your skin is happy, you can slowly use it more often.
- Apply this exfoliating toner right after your cleanser and before your moisturizer. This keeps your skin care steps in the right order.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin with your hands. Let it soak in for a minute before the next step.
- Put the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin to help it work best. Avoid rubbing so your face stays calm and happy.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the sensitive eye area.
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
Why is By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water a weak match for dry skin?
This exfoliating toner is a weak match because it offers moderate exfoliation with mandelic acid but lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients to fully address dryness. A product of this type needs additional rich moisturizing and softening ingredients to keep dry skin comfortable.
Which ingredients make this toner a poor fit for dry skin?
This toner is a poor fit for dry skin because it focuses heavily on mandelic acid for exfoliation while lacking enough rich, softening ingredients to fully lock in moisture. Dry skin needs a product of this type to include extra moisturizing and barrier-protecting ingredients like heavier oils or butters alongside its soothing extracts to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
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.
What does Beta-Glucan do for dry skin?
Beta-glucan helps dry skin by boosting hydration and supporting the skin barrier so it holds onto moisture better. Studies show that using beta-glucan daily improves skin moisture and helps calm dryness and roughness.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This exfoliating toner goes in the evening treatment step, starting at once a week so your skin can adjust. A product of this type needs rich softening and sealing ingredients to keep dry skin comfortable.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
It is usually best to avoid using this exfoliating toner in the same routine as retinol, as combining them may cause excessive dryness or irritation on dry skin. If you do use both, apply the toner first after cleansing, let it dry completely, and then follow with your retinol product on a different night or spaced well apart. A product of this type needs added hydrating and soothing ingredients like ceramides, nourishing plant oils, or richer moisturizing creams to properly care for dry skin.
How often should I use this toner?
Start by using this toner once a week because it is a weak match for your dry skin, and carefully use it more often only if you tolerate it well and see good results. An exfoliating product of this type needs extra hydrating and soothing ingredients to keep dry skin comfortable and smooth.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin, though the exfoliating acid may cause mild stinging. A product of this type needs extra soothing and deeply moisturizing ingredients to keep dry skin soft, smooth, and comfortable.
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
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, 2020Chemical 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, 2018Skin 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, 2022Topical 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, 2002Moisturizer 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, 2000Combining 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
Why other toners fit dry skin better
A formulation containing glycerol (5%) and xylitol (5%) applied twice daily for 14 days increased skin hydration, filaggrin protein quantity, interdigitation index, and biomechanical properties, and decreased transepidermal water loss compared to untreated and vehicle-treated skin in twelve volunteers with dry skin.
Acta Dermato-venereologica, 2017Gluconolactone treatment significantly increased facial skin hydration in 16 healthy women, with no significant differences between 10% and 30% solutions.
Skin Research and Technology, 2021
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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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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