Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner Review

Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner
2.8
/ 10
Moisturizing
5.7 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Review

Does Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.8 out of 10.

Key Benefits of Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizer Suitable for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.8 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 5.7 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Propylene Glycol (est. ≈5.1%).

This product, when used alone as a moisturizer, can provide light humectant hydration in a fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients. This could work for people with oily skin who need a basic level of hydration.

Tip: 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 Add-on for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - since it contains a moderate amount of humectants, such a humectant add-on will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer.

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

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: Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner 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 Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner 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.

Pros & Cons of Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Makeup Artist's Choice Mandelic Acid Toner to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Suitable for moisturizing oily skin
  • Lightweight texture
  • Can enhance the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine

Cons: 

  • Needs occlusives to seal in humectants if used as a standalone moisturizer

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
5.1
5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Mandelic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 20
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Malic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Equisetum Hyemale Extract
Function:
Origin:
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Phytic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
5.7
5.1
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 5.7 10
5.7
5.1
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
2.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
5.1
0.3
0.3
All humectants 5.7 10
5.7
All humectants
5.7
5.1
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
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 1.8 3 No
All antioxidants
1.8
Camellia Sinensis Extract
0.3
Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract
0.3
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
0.3
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
0.3
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
0.3
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 1.5 5 No
All soothing
1.5
0.3
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.
Alcohol
Est. %6
Function
Origin
AlcoholAn effective antimicrobial ingredient that kills bacteria, fungi, and even some viruses. It is also an excellent solvent and astringent. Alcohol helps to create lighter and less viscous products. It can, however, be dehydrating and skin-sensitizing.
Propylene Glycol
Est. %5.1
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Mandelic Acid
Est. %5
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.
Camellia Sinensis Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Camellia Sinensis Extract

An antioxidant, astringent, and soothing extract derived from green tea. It performs as an anti-aging ingredient in the deeper layers of the skin.

Polysorbate 20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 20A viscous, amber-colored liquid that functions as a solubilizer to disperse small amounts of oil into a large water phase. Polysorbate 20 is frequently used to solubilize fragrance oils into water-based emulsions.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
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.

Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) Extract
Malic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Malic AcidA simple organic alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) commonly found in unripe fruits. It is more gentle of an exfoliant when compared to the famous and potent glycolic and lactic acids.
Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Humulus Lupulus (Hops) ExtractAn extract from hops flowers. Hops have been used traditionally to treat skin inflammation. The extract is rich in antioxidants and has antifungal and antimicrobial activity.
Equisetum Hyemale Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Equisetum Hyemale Extract
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus ExtractDerived from camel grass (also known as West Indian lemongrass), this soothing extract contains fragrant lemon-scented essential oil, antioxidant flavonoids, resorcinol, and phenolic acids.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) ExtractAn extract obtained from the twigs and/or leaves of witch hazel. It is one of the oldest skincare remedies known to man. It is astringent and sebum regulating, meaning that it controls the amount of sebum that the skin produces.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractDerived from Aloe vera leaves, this moisturizing humectant, soothing, and antioxidant extract is commonly used in products targeting eczema, sunburn, or dermatitis. It soothes the skin and reduces the signs of inflammation and sensitivity.
Phytic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Phytic AcidPhytic acid is found in rice and is seen as a cousin of alpha-hydroxy acids. As a chelator, it can bind to certain metals that may cause discoloration in products or reduce the efficacy of other ingredients.
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate