Mandelic acid is a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is acetic acid in which two of the methyl hydrogens are substituted by phenyl and hydroxyl groups.
- Blemishes B
- Dark spots C
- Oiliness C
- Amount studies used
- 5–10%
- When
- evening
- Irritation
- moderate — start every other day
Grades were set by reading this ingredient’s studies. They describe the ingredient, not every product that contains it.
How much products actually contain
5 products state the amountmedian 0.001%0% at or above the amount studies used (5–10%)
- under 0.01% 3
- 0.01–0.1% 1
- 0.1–1% 0
- 1% or more 1
Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.
Of the products containing it, 47 list it before the 1% line and 34 after it (usually 1% or less).
Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 41% of the time, one listing it late about 4%.
Clinical evidence grade by skin concern
- B
- one or two randomised trials
- C
- uncontrolled or multi-ingredient studies
Products using this ingredient
12 of 81 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 81
NecessaireNecessaire The Deodorant Gel | Mandelic Acid41% chance of enough
NaturiumNaturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12%41% chance of enough
WishtrendMandelic Acid Gentle Exfoliating Toner41% chance of enough
CNP LaboratoryDerma Answer Anti-Pore Active Peel Ampule41% chance of enough
MuradMurad Biome-Balancing Clear & Prevent Acne Treatment Serum41% chance of enough
Living ProofLiving Proof Scalp Care Exfoliator41% chance of enough
VersedVersed Skin Refine41% chance of enough
Baxter of CaliforniaBaxter of California ANTI-BUMP TREATMENT41% chance of enough
PATTERN BeautyPATTERN Beauty Deep Scalp Detox41% chance of enough
Dr. WonderCrocodile Heel Pack 1 Sheet41% chance of enough
philosophyphilosophy Triple-Acid Brightening Peel41% chance of enough
KosasKosas Chemistry Deodorant41% chance of enough
Definition
Mandelic acid is a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid that is acetic acid in which two of the methyl hydrogens are substituted by phenyl and hydroxyl groups. It has a role as an antibacterial agent and a human xenobiotic metabolite. It is a member of benzenes and a 2-hydroxy monocarboxylic acid. It is functionally related to an acetic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a mandelate.
Source: PubChem
US FDA substance register · UNII NH496X0UJX · registered name MANDELIC ACID · single chemical substance
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
Canada
- Conditions of Use by product type : (a) Products for use on the skin for consumer use. Manufacturer or importer to provide pH levels. (b) Products for use on the skin for professional use: Manufacturer must provide Health Canada with evidence of safety including: 1. pH levels 2. AHA concentrations 3. Directions for use 4. Clinical studies demonstrating minimal skin irritation (c) Products intended to be diluted in bath water may contain levels of AHAs exceeding 10% (d) Other cosmetics (e) Any cosmetics
- Maximum Concentration Permitted : (a) Between 3% and 18% total mono-AHA equivalents with a pH equal to or greater than 3.5 (b) Between 18% and 30% total mono-AHA equivalents and/or a pH between 3.0 to 3.5 (d) Between 3% and 30% total mono-AHA equivalents with a pH equal to or greater than 3.0 (e) 3%
- Warnings and Cautionary Statements: (to the effect of) : (a) and (b) : "Use only as directed", "Avoid contact with the eyes", "If irritation persists, discontinue use and consult a physician", "It is recommended that prior to exposure to the sun, users cover areas where AHAs have been applied with sunscreen" Product labels should contain appropriate directions regarding frequency and/or duration of use. (b only) "For professional use only" (d) "Use only as directed", "Avoid contact with eyes", "Discontinue use if rash or irritation occurs"
Taiwan
- Maximum concentration : pH≧3.5;
- pH≥3.5;
Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information
Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name マンデル酸: 本品は、次の化学式で表される有機酸である。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 17199-29-0
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 90-64-2
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 202-007-6
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID6023234
- DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
- DTXCID203234
- IUPAC
- Hydroxy(phenyl)acetic acid
- Molecular formula
- C8H8O3
- Molecular weight
- 152.149 g/mol
Measured properties
- Appearance
- Liquid · Solid, Darkens and decomposes after prolonged light exposure, [Merck Index] White crystalline powder with a faint sweet odor, [Fisher Scientific MSDS]
- Boiling point
- 320 °C @760 [mm Hg]
- Melting point
- 119 °C
- Density
- 1.3 @25 °C
- Colour
- white
- Melting/freezing point
- 119 ℃
- Vapour pressure
- 0.0000164 ㎜Hg (at 25 ℃,est.)
- Water solubility
- 181000 ㎎/ℓ (at 25 ℃)
- Vapour density
- 5.25
- Relative density
- 1.30
- n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow)
- 0.62
- Molecular weight
- 152.15
Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.
Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
What products actually use it for
What the 5 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- Biocide2
- Processing aids not otherwise specified1
- Intermediate1
- No specific technical function1
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Irritation and sensitisation studies
2 skin studies and 0 eye studies are on record.
The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.
See all 2 studies
- Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to - Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay) according to EU Method B.42 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay)
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- Mandelic acid chemical peel in Acne vulgaris : A boon or a bane ? · 2015
- Effects of Topical Mandelic Acid Treatment on Facial Skin Viscoelasticity · 2018
- Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitiser Gels with Mandelic Acid and Essential Oils · 2023
- Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of mandelic acid-containing cosmetic formulations for acne skin care · 2015
- Formulating Sustainable Emulsions: Mandelic Acid and Essential Oils as Natural Preservatives · 2024
Linked databases 22
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AICIS)
- ChEBI 2
- ChEMBL
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)
- KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information 2 3
- NIST Chemistry WebBook
- PubChem 2
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US EPA CompTox dashboard 2
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata
- Wikipedia · English · Japanese · Chinese