By WishTrend Mandelic Acid Gentle Exfoliating Toner Versus By WishTrend Mandelic Acid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
This smoothing toner is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Panthenol to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Mandelic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethyl Sulfone
SolventBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Citrate
BufferingArginine
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Natto Gum
Water, Mandelic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Dimethyl Sulfone, Beta-Glucan, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Natto Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingEclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Phytate
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer, Carbomer, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Tromethamine, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Hyaluronic Acid, Bisabolol, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Glutathione, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
