Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% Versus Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% versus Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% .

Published on March 20, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Try a different comparison

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12%

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%

Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Mandelic Topical Acid 12%

Starts at $20.00

Shop

Buy Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%

Starts at $19.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Vitamin E

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Dark Spots

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating (2)

Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Vitamin E

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation (2)

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Dark Spots (4)

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (4)

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea

Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

Water • Mandelic Acid • Propanediol • Aminomethyl Propanol • Niacinamide • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11 • Caprylyl Glycol • Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract • Saccharum Officinarum Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract • Citrus Limon Fruit Extract • Acer Saccharum Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Potassium Sorbate • Xanthan Gum • Hexylene Glycol • Phenylpropanol • Tocopherol

Water • Isopentyldiol • Tranexamic Acid • Propanediol • Citric Acid • Kojic Acid • Niacinamide • Hydroxyacetophenone • Isododecane • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Panthenol • Glycerin • Xanthan Gum • Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Betaine • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium Phytate • Potassium Sorbate • Tocopherol

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Water. 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Propanediol

What it does: Solvent

Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% contains this as ingredient number 3.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 4.

Niacinamide

What it does: Smoothing

Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% contains this as ingredient number 5.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 7.

Sodium Hyaluronate

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% contains this as ingredient number 10.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 19.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% contains this as ingredient number 14.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 16.

Potassium Sorbate

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% contains this as ingredient number 15.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 21.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% contains this as ingredient number 16.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 14.

Tocopherol

What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% contains this as ingredient number 19.

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% contains this as ingredient number 22.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

53% are loved or liked

0% have mixed ratings

37% are disliked or very disliked

11% have no rating yet

64% are loved or liked

5% have mixed ratings

27% are disliked or very disliked

5% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients

Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5% 22 ingredients

Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Naturium Mandelic Topical Acid 12% 19 ingredients

3.5 /5

from 2 ratings

Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1) Strong Scent (1)

MichelleR

4 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

It smells SO bad. And not like a subtle, go away after a few minutes, smell. It's a lingering, potent, i need to write a review about it, smell....

It smells SO bad. And not like a subtle, go away after a few minutes, smell. It's a lingering, potent, i need to write a review about it, smell. Two stars because, so far it doesn't break me out and is a gentle enough exfoliator to use on days after my retinoid. The jury is still out on whether or not I can get past the smell enough to use it consistently enough to see results. More to follow.