Versus

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA Versus Minimalist Tranexamic 03%

Serum
Serum
Canadian Brand Canada
Indian Brand India

Updated on July 14, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing 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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Antimicrobial

Mandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.

As an AHA, Mandelic Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Mandelic Acid may be an alternative to Glycolic Acid for those with sensitive skin.

Mandelic Acid may help reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Mandelic Acid

Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.

As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.

Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.

Learn more about Dimethyl Isosorbide
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

431 Routines
13% use in am
87% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
61 Routines
31% use in am
69% use in pm
80% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA 13 ingredients

3.9 /5
from 7 ratings
Works Well (3) Hydrating (3) Great Value (2)
natalieparalova's avatar

Nathall Paral 🤍

9 months ago
Review

My beloved soothing exfoliant for closed comedones. The first product that finally unclogged some of my pores. I recommend using it every second day only at night! Has no scent, doesn’t make my skin look greasy, but it hydrates. It’s a watery texture and not even expensive ! Can only recommend!!! This one is a good choice if your skin is sensitive to BHA or AHA like salycilic acid or so. It Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352's avatar
Review

Gentle and didn't break me out. I love it

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#no scent

Minimalist Tranexamic 03% 20 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1) Great Value (1)
ThrowMeAway's avatar

ThrowMeAway

5 months ago
Review

I've heard such great things about tranxemic acid. I wanted to use something to help get rid of PIH. This caused a huge FA flare up. Tranxemic Acid is derived from an amino acid - Lysine.

When amino acids are in the presence of lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters etc.) they can enhance the growth of malassezia. Since we naturally have fats and oils on our skin, amino acids can be Show more

#broke me out
amithamaria's avatar

Amitha Maria

4 months ago
Review

I've been using this for years- on and off. Using it as an overnight serum gives me glowy, soft skin the next day. Dark spots fade much quicker while I'm on this! I try to use it atleast 3-4x a week. Works better than most brightening serums I use, and doesn't irritate my sebderm!

#great value
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well