Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum Review

Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum has to offer:
 
✅ Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
✅ Soothing: Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.
✅ Antioxidant protection

  

Key Benefits of Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum:
 

🔵 Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizing, Ideal for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈4.0%), TEA-PCA (est. ≈3.0%) and Beta-Glucan (est. ≈2.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

❗️ Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

💧 A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

🍀 Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Beta-Glucan (est. ≈2.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

🔴 Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Beta-Glucan (est. ≈2.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

⚠️ Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains some ingredients often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles, specifically Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, and Ammonium Glycyrrhizate. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. 

While this does not categorically rule out the possibility that these ingredients may reduce wrinkles, their efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were available to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, these ingredients do not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

📌 Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

✅ When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing ideal for oily skin
✅ As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing boost, beneficial for any skin type
✅ Lightweight texture
✅ Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
✅ Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, specifically Beta-Glucan
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants
⚠️ Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy
   

Summary: Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum
, when used alone, delivers lightweight, humectant-rich moisturizing, making it ideal for oily skin. As part of a moisturizing routine, it provides a humectant boost, beneficial for all skin types.
 
Rich in antioxidants, Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum helps protect against free radical damage and offers multiple benefits for all skin types, including preventing premature aging, defending against environmental damage, and calming inflammation. This product is also formulated with a high concentration of soothing ingredients, offering the potential to calm and comfort irritated skin. Whether you’re experiencing redness, irritation, or general sensitivity, its soothing properties may help restore balance and provide relief.
 
That said, there are some things about Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum worth noting.
 
Looking at its moisturizing profile, we found that it doesn’t contain any occlusive ingredients, potentially allowing the moisture attracted to the skin by humectants to evaporate. Therefore, if it’s used as the only moisturizer in a routine, it’s recommended to pair it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones.
 
If one of your main reasons for considering Dr. Wu Mandelik Intensive Renewal Serum is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, its anti-wrinkle efficacy is questionable. None of the ingredients in this product provide substantial evidence of their anti-wrinkle efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.
 
❗️ Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible.

 

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Mandelic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
TEA-PCA
Function:
Origin:
Beta-Glucan
Function:
Origin:
Orchid Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Centella Asiatica Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Function:
Origin:
EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Glycyrrhizinate
Function:
Origin:
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Allantoin
Function:
Origin:
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
Function:
Origin:
Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Extract
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
12.4
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 12.4 10
10.0
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 12.4 10
10
All humectants
12.4
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 2 -
n/a
- 1 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Beta-Glucan
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
2
Centella Asiatica Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
1
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 3.9 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
3.9
Beta-Glucan
2
Centella Asiatica Extract
1
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
0.3
Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 5.5 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
5.5
2
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Mandelic Acid
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Mandelic AcidDerived from almonds, this ingredient is one of the gentlest AHAs and is used for its exfoliating and antimicrobial properties. It is particularly beneficial for acne but also helps to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

TEA-PCA
Est. %3
Function
Origin
TEA-PCA
Beta-Glucan
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Beta-GlucanA special polysaccharide obtained from cereals, mushrooms, yeast, bacteria, and some species of seaweed. It is a promising anti-wrinkle, wound healing, antioxidant, and moisturizing ingredient.
Orchid Root Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Orchid Root Extract
Panthenol
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
PanthenolA popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
Centella Asiatica Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Centella Asiatica ExtractAn extract from the leaves of the Gotu kola. It is used in skincare for its antioxidant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. It increases the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.

Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EDTAA synthetically produced ingredient that binds certain metal ions. It can help prevent product discoloration or poor performance in rinse-off products used in 'hard' water.
Potassium Glycyrrhizinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium Glycyrrhizinate
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Calendula Officinalis Flower ExtractAn extract derived from the flowers of the pot marigold. Its yellow to bright orange flowers contain carotenoids, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. They all have fantastic anti-inflammatory activity and can help to soothe inflamed skin.
Allantoin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AllantoinA fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Ammonium Glycyrrhizate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ammonium GlycyrrhizateA soothing ingredient with a sweet taste that is isolated from licorice root.
Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) ExtractAn extract obtained from horse chestnut seeds that contains an anti-inflammatory and astringent mixture called Aescin. It also offers soothing benefits and is aimed at irritated skin.