Have you heard of mandelic acid?
It’s the newest exfoliating acid on the skincare block. It shot to fame in Asia thanks to its gentle touch. Word on the street has it, even sensitive skin can use it without risking irritation.
You’ll find it in both Stratia Soft Touch AHA and The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA. At first sight, the two are so similar, you could call them dupes. But when you dig deeper, one definitely has the edge. So, which one is better?
- What Ingredients Do The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA And Stratia Soft Touch AHA Have In Common?
- What Else Do The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA And Stratia Soft Touch AHA Have In Common?
- What’s The Texture Like?
- What’s The Packaging Like?
- How To Use Them
- Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
- Price & Availability
- Is The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA A Dupe For Stratia Soft Touch AHA?
What Ingredients Do The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA And Stratia Soft Touch AHA Have In Common?
MANDELIC ACID TO EXFOLIATE SKIN
Mandelic acid belongs to the same family as glycolic acid, AHAs. But it’s twice its size. Literally. Mandelic is 152.1 daltons while glycolic 76.
Size matters: because mandelic acid is so big, it penetrates skin more slowly and not as deeply as glycolic acid. That means it can dissolve the “glue” that holds skin cells together without irritation.
Once those dead cells are off your face, your skin is smoother, softer and brighter. It’s just that mandelic takes a little longer than glycolic to work so don’t be surprised if you don’t see results immediately.
Mandelic acid isn’t good just for sensitive skin. This acid also has antibacterial properties that help you get rid of P. Acnes, the bacteria that’s making you life so miserable.
I personally prefer glycolic and salicylic to mandelic acid. They’re smaller molecules so they work that little bit better. But if your skin’s so sensitive, it can’t tolerate them, mandelic acid makes for a fine alternative.
P.S. Both Stratia Soft Touch AHA and The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA use 10% mandelic acid.
Related: AHAs VS BHA: Which One Should You Use?
HYALURONIC ACID TO HYDRATE SKIN
Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet. Literally. Its job is to draw water from the air into the skin and bind it there. It’s so powerful, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water!
But what if there’s not enough moisture in the skin? Then, hyaluronic acid takes moisture from the deeper layers of your skin all the way up to the superficial layers.
It’s not as drying as you think. Your skin is made up of 64% water. Hyaluronic acid just redistributes it. Once the superficial layers have this extra moisture, it plumps up so fine lines looks smaller and takes on a dewy glow.
Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine, No Matter Your Skin Type
Want more affordable dupes for expensive skincare products? Download your FREE “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet and start saving money (without compromising on results) today:
What Else Do The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA And Stratia Soft Touch AHA Have In Common?
Both The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA and Stratia Soft Touch AHA have anti-inflammatory ingredients that soothe redness and irritation. The Ordinary uses Tasmanian pepperberry while Stratia opted for plain old chamomile.
The choice of preservatives is also different. The Ordinary opted for Caprylyl Glycol, a preservative that’s way gentler for sensitive skin. Its antimicrobial activity isn’t as strong, but it’ll still help to keep your exfoliant safer for longer.
Lesson learned: when the main actives are the same, it’s those little ingredients no one pays much attention to that can make the difference.
Related: Parabens Alternatives: Which Ones Are Safe And Effective?
What’s The Texture Like?
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA is slightly oily but very lightweight.
Stratia Soft Touch AHA is a cloudy, viscous liquid that spreads easily on your skin.
What’s The Packaging Like?
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA comes in a dark bottle with a dropper applicator.
Stratia Soft Touch AHA comes in a white and red bottle with a pump applicator.
How To Use Them
Two or three nights a week, after cleansing. Don’t use retinoids on the same night.
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
Both Stratia Soft Touch AHA and The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA are good mandelic acid exfoliants. You can expect the same results from both.
But if your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% is a gentler option. It’s cheaper, too.
Related: The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA Full Review
Price & Availability
Stratia Soft Touch AHA ($14.00): available at Stratia
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA ($6.70): available at Asos, Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty and Escentual
Is The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA A Dupe For Stratia Soft Touch AHA?
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA and Stratia Soft Touch AHA aren’t exact dupes, but they do the same thing: they gently exfoliate sensitive skin, leaving it softer, smoother and brighter. But The Ordinary is a little gentler.
Stratia Soft Touch AHA Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Mandelic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA Ingredients
Propanediol, Aqua (Water), Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.
