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 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.

Best for

Oily skinAcne-prone skinMature skin
Masks & Peels

The Guru Index verdict

76%

Approved

Approved · 76%
2Reviewers
1Approved
1Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus consistently praise this as a gentle exfoliant option, particularly for sensitive skin, thanks to mandelic acid's larger molecular size and lactic acid's hydrating properties. The main tension is around pricing and barrier-repair claims: while reviewers confirm it's effective for cell turnover and works across skin types including acne-prone skin, there's pushback on the promise to reverse a compromised barrier, since adding exfoliants to damaged skin is generally discouraged. The consensus leans positive but tempered, with value feeling borderline depending on application method.
Synthesized from 2 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

AHAFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Water/​Aqua/​Eau, 2,3-Butanediol (Humectant/​Solvent), Mandelic Acid (Exfoliant), Lactic Acid (Exfoliant/​Humectant), Sodium Hydroxide (Ph Adjuster), Myrica Cerifera (Bayberry) Fruit Extract (Plant Extract/​Antioxidant), Akebia Quinata (Chocolate Vine) Stem Extract (Plant Extract/​Antioxidant), Prunus Lannesiana (Cherry Blossom) Flower Extract (Plant Extract/​Antioxidant), Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate (Prebiotic/​Probiotic/​Postbiotic), Saccharomyces Lysate (Prebiotic/​Probiotic/​Postbiotic), Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract (Plant Extract/​Antioxidant), Saccharide Isomerate (Humectant), Arginine (Antioxidant/​Humectant), Hydroxyacetophenone (Humectant/​Stabilizer), Butylene Glycol (Humectant/​Solvent), Sodium Phytate (Chelating Agent), Pentylene Glycol (Humectant), Xanthan Gum (Stabilizer/​Texture Enhancer), Citric Acid (Ph Adjuster), Sodium Citrate (Ph Adjuster/​Chelating Agent), 1,2-Hexanediol (Preservative/​Solvent), Caprylyl Glycol (Humectant), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)

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 only Skip only Mixed only 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
"It does not contain any of those drying types of alcohol, it has no fragrance and no noticeable scent to it."
All 4 takes from No BS Beauty
Paula's Choice Skincare New! Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
"It does not contain any of those drying types of alcohol, it has no fragrance and no noticeable scent to it."
Paula's Choice Skincare New! Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
"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."
Paula's Choice Skincare New! Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
"It will help with skin cell turnover and things like that. It's pretty effective. It's more gentle than some exfoliants and less gentle than others. It's pretty friendly for all skin types including acne prone skin, which is wonderful. In terms of price, this product is 30 milliliters for 37 dollars, putting that on the cusp of being too pricey. If you're going to apply this with your fingertips it's affordable; if you're going to apply with a cotton pad it's not. I couldn't find a ton of comparable products that contain both mandelic and lactic acid."
Paula's Choice Skincare New! Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
"So with a 10 being a perfect score this one an eight"
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