Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water: a Guru Score of 83%

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Breakouts and acne1 expert

“I've been getting a lot of hormonal acne and excessive sebum in my T-zone, so I've been really liking the By Wishtrend 5% mandelic acid toner.”

Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 8:13

Excess oil and shine1 expert

“It has oil-loving properties, so it's great for those who are oily and acne-prone, but at the same time it's more gentle.”

Dr. Jenny Liu, watch at 8:13

Dark spots and post-acne marks1 expert

“Great for rough skin texture, softening keratosis pilaris, hastening the clearance of dark marks, generally well tolerated.”

Dr Dray, watch at 5:45

Melasma1 expert

“I'll apply it where I get my melasma, which is typically forehead and a little bit on the cheeks and it does a really nice job with that.”

No BS Beauty, watch at 9:55

Redness1 expert

“Not only does it have mandelic acid, but it's got licorice root, great for redness, soothing the skin, and it's got betalucan, which is really hydrating.”

Dr Dray, watch at 5:45

Irritated or reactive skin1 expert

“And this is just refreshing in a way that's not overwhelming or irritating to skin.”

Cassandra Bankson, watch at 6:13

Rough or uneven texture1 expert

“it's a very gentle exfoliant good for improving skin texture smoothness.”

Dr Dray, watch at 7:46

Keratosis pilaris (bumpy arms)1 expert

“Great for rough skin texture, softening keratosis pilaris, hastening the clearance of dark marks, generally well tolerated.”

Dr Dray, watch at 5:45

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 Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

No BS Beauty

89k subs

✓Yay

"I'll apply it where I get my melasma, which is typically forehead and a little bit on the cheeks and it does a really nice job with that. And I'll probably generally apply to the rest of my face as well. It's really wonderful. And it's 11 bucks. [...] For the amount given, it's probably the most affordable on this list and really nice, and still 5% is still an amount where it's still gentle enough. So you could probably use it nightly, just work up to it very slowly."

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

✓Yay

"Wishtrend mandelic acid if you have more sensitive skin"

Dr. Jenny Liu

324k subs

✓Yay

"I've been getting a lot of hormonal acne and excessive sebum in my T-zone, so I've been really liking the By Wishtrend 5% mandelic acid toner. Mandelic acid is basically in between a salicylic acid and a glycolic acid. It has oil-loving properties, so it's great for those who are oily and acne-prone, but at the same time it's more gentle. It's one of the [...] biggest AHAs, so it's not going to be as irritating as glycolic acid."

Doctor Anne

56k subs

✓Yay

"Something gentler is the By Wishtrend 5% Mandelic Acid Water. [...] All of these have a loyal fanbase, so you probably can't go wrong with the one that is best suited for your individual skin."

Cassandra Bankson

2.46M subs

✓Yay

"This is their mandelic acid five percent skin prep water, and this is a very gentle five percent mandelic acid that's so easy to use that you can put it on and then go out during the day if you put sunscreen over the top. And this is just refreshing in a way that's not overwhelming or irritating to skin. You can put it on like a little cotton pad and then swipe it on your face. I like to put it on my hands and just press it on so I get the most of it."

All 3 takes from Cassandra Bankson

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"This is their mandelic acid five percent skin prep water, and this is a very gentle five percent mandelic acid that's so easy to use that you can put it on and then go out during the day if you put sunscreen over the top. And this is just refreshing in a way that's not overwhelming or irritating to skin. You can put it on like a little cotton pad and then swipe it on your face. I like to put it on my hands and just press it on so I get the most of it."

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"Wishtrend launched their mandelic acid toner which was great, and when they did, so many people were like, 'Ooh, what is this? This is amazing, it's non-irritating, oh my god I need more.'"

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"I got this last year and I used an entire bottle of it. This is from Wishtrend, mandelic acid, 5% skin prep water. I actually find this to be really really soothing, so I do use this almost every single day."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓Yay

"Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that's super gentle. Great for rough skin texture, softening keratosis pilaris, hastening the clearance of dark marks, generally well tolerated. [...] I've been recommending this product from Wishtrend for years now, at least 6 years. [...] Not only does it have mandelic acid, but it's got licorice root, great for redness, soothing the skin, and it's got betalucan, which is really hydrating. Love this. Fragrance-free."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water?

Wishtrend's Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is a liquid serum that uses 5% mandelic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid, to exfoliate and smooth skin texture.

Is Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water worth it?

Yes. All 6 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 83%.

What is Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water's Guru Score?

Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water holds a Guru Score of 83%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 6 expert reviewers we have collected.

What is Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is good for breakouts and acne (1 expert), excess oil and shine (1 expert), dark spots and post-acne marks (1 expert), melasma (1 expert), redness (1 expert) and irritated or reactive skin (1 expert).