Index / Paula's Choice / Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
Paula's Choice

Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
Masks & Peels

About this product

A liquid chemical exfoliant combining 6% mandelic acid and 2% lactic acid in a time-released formula, designed to gently exfoliate and improve skin texture, dullness, and fine lines.

Type

Masks & PeelsLiquid

Key actives

AHA

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Full ingredients

Guru Score

72%

Mixed

Early verdict · Few reviews so far
2Gurus
1Approved
1Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Mandelic acid's larger molecular size means it exfoliates without penetrating as deeply, making this blend particularly well-suited to sensitive skin when paired with lactic acid's slight moisturizing effect. One expert praises it as an effective, gentle option for those wanting exfoliation without irritation. The main caveat: the brand claims it can repair a compromised skin barrier, but experts advise against layering any exfoliant onto damaged skin, so skip it if your barrier is currently compromised. For everyone else, it delivers on anti-aging and cell turnover, though at 3.8 ounces for $37 it sits on the pricey side.
Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take December 2024
Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
~Approved
"Mandelic acid is one of the larger size alpha hydroxy acids, so because it's a larger size it doesn't penetrate as deeply into the skin, and so it's usually my preferred exfoliant for people with sensitive skin. Mandelic acid is really a great ingredient for people who want to exfoliate but also have sensitive skin. Then you add lactic acid which is slightly moisturizing, and you put it in a time-released formula, and this is really a great product for people who have sensitive skin but want to exfoliate."
~Mixed
"This product promises to improve sun damage, improve dullness and fine lines, reverse a compromised skin barrier, renew skin below the surface for healthier cell turnover and radiance, and be gentle and effective for all skin types. I agree with a lot of those, but I don't think this will reverse a compromised skin barrier. I don't think adding exfoliance onto a compromised skin barrier is a great idea. Typically if your barrier is damaged, I recommend not using any actives or exfoliants or retinoids, things that could irritate it. I don't think this will do that. It will help with skin cell turnover and things like that. It is pretty effective. It's more gentle than some exfoliants and less gentle than others. It delivers on some of those promises for the most part but not all of them. It will definitely help with anti-aging and things like that. It's pretty friendly for all skin types including acne-prone skin, which is wonderful. No issues at all with that. This product is 3.8 ounces at 37 dollars, putting it on the cusp of being too pricey."
Common questions

Frequently asked.

What is Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant?

A liquid chemical exfoliant combining 6% mandelic acid and 2% lactic acid in a time-released formula, designed to gently exfoliate and improve skin texture, dullness, and fine lines.

Is Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 72%.

What is Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant's Guru Score?

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant holds a Guru Score of 72%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 independent expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant best for?

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant is generally suited to oily skin, acne-prone skin and mature skin.

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