Tree to Tub Mandelic Acid 10% Gentle Exfoliating AHA Serum Versus Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum
Updated on March 06, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, 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, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Tree to Tub Mandelic Acid 10% Gentle Exfoliating AHA Serum 25 ingredients
Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum 17 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Tree to Tub Mandelic Acid 10% Gentle Exfoliating AHA Serum 25 ingredients
Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum 17 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Methylpropanediol
SolventPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Benzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum
HumectantLactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingActinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientSolanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Butylene Glycol, Mandelic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Prunus Salicina Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhytic Acid
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether
CleansingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlycerin
Humectant
Water, Mandelic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Potassium Hydroxide, Phytic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glyceryl Ether, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Succinoglycan, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
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 AcidPotassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Tree to Tub Mandelic Acid 10% Gentle Exfoliating AHA Serum 25 ingredients
Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum 17 ingredients
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Tree to Tub Mandelic Acid 10% Gentle Exfoliating AHA Serum 25 ingredients
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