1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
Hydration
The Ordinary
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
face exfoliator
The Ordinary
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
face exfoliator
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
Dry
47%
Combination (dry)
47%
Balanced
69%
Combination (oily)
99%
Oily
99%
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13
Ingredients
5
Benefits
2
Actives
A 10 percent mandelic acid formulation that offers gentle exfoliation
Key Insights
Benefits
5
Anti-Aging
Evens Skin Tone
Hydration
Smooths Bumpy Skin
Soothing
Active Ingredients
2
AHA
Hyaluronic acid
Full Ingredients
13 total
About Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Overview
Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is a watery-light exfoliator from The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 13 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
Texture and finish
By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Propanediol, Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
What the formula does
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer and Ethylhexylglycerin.
Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Mandelic Acid.
Cell renewal: Moderate. Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover, and here that comes from Mandelic Acid.
Who it suits
On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
What it does not target
The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, oil control and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
What is not in it
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
Where it fits in a routine
Use it in the evening. In a routine it goes after cleansing, before serums. Start at once or twice a week and build up only if skin stays comfortable. Wear sunscreen the next morning — fresh exfoliation raises UV sensitivity.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Pros and cons
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Pros
- No fragrance or declared allergens
- No essential oils
- No drying alcohol
- Silicone-free
- No microplastics
- Strong humectant content for hydration
- No common irritants flagged in the list
Things to know
- One ingredient could feed malassezia (fungal acne)
Which skin types it suits
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
Suitable for
- Combination (oily) skin
- Oily skin
May suit
- Balanced skin
Less suitable for
- Dry skin
- Combination (dry) skin
Sensitive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Skin concerns
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Helps with
-
Hydration 6 ingredients
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
-
Anti-Aging 3 ingredients
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
-
Evens Skin Tone 1 ingredient
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
-
Smooths Bumpy Skin 1 ingredient
Refines texture by gently exfoliating rough, uneven patches
-
Soothing 1 ingredient
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Does not target
Anti-Acne
Blackhead Reducing
Dark Spot Fading
Oil Control
Pore Minimizer
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
Key ingredients
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Hydration
Mandelic Acid
AHA
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-hydroxy-
Smooths Bumpy Skin
Evens Skin Tone
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
Hydration
Anti-Aging
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Hyaluronic acid
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium salt, polymer with 1,1'-sulfonylbis[ethene]
Hydration
Anti-Aging
Soothing
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract is the extract of the fruit and leaves of Tasmannia lanceolata, Winteraceae.
Anti-Aging
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Hydration
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
Hydration
Formula analysis
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Hydration
High
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Barrier support
None
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Antioxidant support
None
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Oil control
None
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Brightening
Moderate
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Soothing
Low
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Cell renewal
Moderate
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Firmness signalling
None
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
Active and supporting ingredients
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Active ingredients (2)
- Mandelic Acid · 5–20%
- Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer · 2–10%
Supporting ingredients (11)
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Propanediol
Water
Glycerin
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/leaf Extract
Pentylene Glycol
Polysorbate 20
Sodium Hydroxide
Ethylhexylglycerin
1,2-hexanediol
Caprylyl Glycol
What is and is not in it
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Free from
- Fragrance-free
- Essential-oil-free
- No drying alcohol
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Microplastic-free
- Sulfate-free
- Dye-free
- Oil-free
- No animal-derived ingredients
What to layer it with
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Compatible with
- Azelaic acid
- Copper peptides
- Bakuchiol
- Niacinamide
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
- Signal peptides
- Panthenol
- Sunscreen
Use with caution
-
Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
-
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
-
AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
-
BHA (salicylic acid)
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
-
PHAs (gluconolactone)
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
-
Benzoyl peroxide
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Where it fits in a routine
Evening
- Cleanse
- Exfoliate
- Treat
- Moisturise
This product is the "Exfoliate" step.
- Start at once or twice a week and build up only if skin stays comfortable.
- Wear sunscreen the next morning — fresh exfoliation raises UV sensitivity.
Safety and suitability
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
- Fungal acne (malassezia)
- 1 ingredient could feed malassezia: Polysorbate 20. That is about the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that you will break out.
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Ingredients by function
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 13 ingredients on the label.
6
Solvent
Dissolves and carries everything else
3
Texture agent
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
2
Active
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
2
Humectant
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
1
Antioxidant
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
1
Emollient
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
1
Occlusive
Forms a film that slows water loss
1
pH adjuster
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
1
Plant extract
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
1
Preservative
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
1
Surfactant
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Ingredient breakdown
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
- Estimated level
- 10–40%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Texture agent, Solvent
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
Hydration
4 scientific references
- PubChem Compound Summary, April 2021, ePublication
- SpecialChem, Accessed April 2021, ePublication
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review, June 2018, pages 1-73
- Cosmetics & Toiletries, May 2013, pages 81-86
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Solvent
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Hydration
3 scientific references
- Skin Research and Technology, May 2015, pages 131-136
- Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November-December 1999, pages 344-351
- Journal of Cosmetic Science, September-October 1993, pages 249-262
- Estimated level
- 5–20%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Active, Preservative
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-hydroxy-
Smooths Bumpy Skin
Evens Skin Tone
5 scientific references
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, February 2023, pages 517–528; and February 2020, pages 393–399
- Molecules, September 2022, pages 1–11
- Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, December 2020, Volume 83, Issue 6 and September 2018, pages 503-518
- Dermatologic Surgery, March 2016, pages 384-391; and January 2009, pages 59-65
- Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, June 2013, pages 140-145
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Humectant, Occlusive, Texture agent, Solvent
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
Hydration
Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
- Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, March 2021, pages 223-231
- International Journal of Toxicology, November/December 2019, Volume 38, Supplement 3, pages 6S-22S
- International Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2016, ePublication
- British Journal of Dermatology, July 2008, pages 23-34
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, June 2007, pages 75-82
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2003, pages 7, 360-7, 365
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Texture agent, Solvent
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,4:3,6-Dianhydro-2,5-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol
- Estimated level
- 2–10%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Humectant, Active
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium salt, polymer with 1,1'-sulfonylbis[ethene]
Hydration
Anti-Aging
Soothing
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Antioxidant, Plant extract
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract is the extract of the fruit and leaves of Tasmannia lanceolata, Winteraceae.
Anti-Aging
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Solvent
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Hydration
4 scientific references
- https://thedermreviewcom/pentylene-glycol/
- Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, July 2017, pages 106-111
- Prospector, June 2015, ePublication
- International Journal of Toxicology, October 2012, pages 147S-168S
- Estimated level
- 1–5%
- Confidence
- Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
- Roles
- Surfactant
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- pH adjuster
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium hydroxide
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
Hydration
5 scientific references
- PLoS One, October 2016, ePublication
- Contact Dermatitis, May 2016, pages 281-288
- International Journal of Toxicology, September 2013, pages 5S-21S
- Personal Care, 2008, pages 1-4
- Cosmetic Science Technology, 2006, pages 1-11
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Solvent
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
- Estimated level
- under 1%
- Confidence
- Moderate — listed below the 1% line
- Roles
- Emollient
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Octane-1,2-diol
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Frequently asked questions
What ingredients are in Mandelic Acid 10% + HA?
PROPANEDIOL, WATER, MANDELIC ACID, GLYCERIN, DIMETHYL ISOSORBIDE, SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMER, TASMANNIA LANCEOLATA FRUIT/LEAF EXTRACT, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, POLYSORBATE 20, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL.
What are the active ingredients in Mandelic Acid 10% + HA?
MANDELIC ACID, SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMER.
How do I use Mandelic Acid 10% + HA?
-Apply once per day, ideally in the PM. -Can be diluted with other treatments to reduce strength until skin develops tolerance. Precautions: -Avoid contact with eyes. -If irritation persists, discontinue use and consult a physician. -Use only as directed. -Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration.
What skin types is Mandelic Acid 10% + HA good for?
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
Is Mandelic Acid 10% + HA good for sensitive skin?
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Is Mandelic Acid 10% + HA fungal acne safe?
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Polysorbate 20. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
Can I use Mandelic Acid 10% + HA while pregnant?
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.
Is Mandelic Acid 10% + HA fragrance free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
Does Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contain alcohol?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Is Mandelic Acid 10% + HA silicone free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
Does Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contain essential oils?
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Is Mandelic Acid 10% + HA paraben free?
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
What can I layer with Mandelic Acid 10% + HA?
It layers well with Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
When should I apply Mandelic Acid 10% + HA?
Use it in the evening, after cleansing, before serums.
How many ingredients does Mandelic Acid 10% + HA have?
It lists 13 ingredients, of which 2 are recorded as actives.
Who makes Mandelic Acid 10% + HA?
The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.