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I have decided to do a little experiment and write my first ever English K-Beauty review! And since the By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is of great interest to many non-Germans, I felt it would be the perfect product to take the plunge towards a more globally focused blogging approach…
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Germans do not seem to be very interested in K-Beauty reviews. Ok, ok, maybe not “universally” acknowledged – more like something that I have sadly noticed these past weeks. And so I have decided to start blogging about some of my Korean skincare topics in English from now on. To those who prefer my German blog posts, do not fret – there will still be plenty of those too!
Alright, back to the By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water, our main focus for today. After being stuck in customs for far too long, I finally received this rather exciting new product launch from Wishtrend’s in-house label! This is a exfoliating water with mandelic acid, which is an active that seems to be rather hot in the beauty industry right now. I must admit that I am still somewhat new to actives, especially chemical peeling agents such as AHAs and BHAs, so I was both excited and a little bit nervous to test this out.
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water – the Basics
The By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water comes with quite a few grand promises written on its stylishly metallic-orange packaging: it is supposed to remove dead skin cells, improve skin texture, and refine dull, rough skin. Wishtrend also promises that it is suitable for all skin types.
Maybe this is a good place to chat a little bit about mandelic acid. Mandelic Acid is a chemical exfoliator, a type of AHA, named after the German word for almond, “Mandel”, since it is derived from bitter almonds. It was first discovered by a German pharmacist and has a long history of being used as a disinfectant.
Like most AHAs – alpha hydroxy acids – it is used mostly to reduce lines and wrinkles. However, unlike its better-known AHA sisters glycolic or lactic acid, mandelic acid has lipophilic properties, meaning it can actually cut through the skin’s sebum and thus penetrate much deeper than other AHAs (though not as well as BHAs, which can really get “in there” when it comes to cleaning out your pores!).
One vastly popular product that contains mandelic acid is the Taiwanese Dr. Wu Intensive Renewal Serum with Mandelic Acid.* It contains 18% mandelic acid and is said to be a super effective anti wrinkle and anti dullness serum, which furthermore helps to eliminate blackheads and minimise enlarged pores. Pretty neat, huh?
The reason mandelic acid is currently creating a bit of a buzz in the Asian beauty community (with mainstream Western skincare slowly following behind), is the fact that due to its relatively high molecular size it is gentler than other AHAs. Thus, it is ideal for people with sensitive skin, who may find the often used glycolic acid too harsh and abrasive.
Given the low percentage of acid, the By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water won’t be able to fully transform your face the way a high dosage chemical peel can. It should be seen more as an exfoliating toner similar to the Pixi Glow Tonic.* Apart from its main ingredient, it also contains a number of skin-friendly goodies.
Here is the full list of ingredients for the By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water:
The list shows notable acne-fighting ingredients such as licorice root, centella asiatica, and chameleon leaf extract, while arginine is said to help smooth out wrinkles. The By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is alcohol-free and contains no perfume, which will please those of you with sensitive skin. You may want to watch out for the butylene glycol and the sorbitan sesquioleate if you tend to get contact allergies, since these two ingredients are known to cause rashes in highly sensitive skin types. I have sensitive skin prone to rashes, however, and haven’t experienced any problems with the ingredients.
The By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water is colourless and pretty much odourless. There is a very faint chemical smell, but it dissipates quickly.
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water – How to and Results
I started using the By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water about 10 days ago, and even after such a short time span I have already seen vast improvements in my skin texture! You can use the Skin Prep Water in two different ways: either put some of it in the palm of your hands and then pat it on your face directly, or use a cotton pad soaked with product and wipe it over your skin. I’ve tried both versions and find the cotton pad method a little too wasteful – it also feels nicer to directly apply the water with my hands. The instructions on the package say that using a cotton pad will enhance the peeling properties of the mandelic acid.
I’ve been using the By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water as part of my nighttime routine and would generally advise it as a nighttime only product, since it does tend to make my face a bit red and ever so slightly sensitised after use. I’m not going to lie – the mandelic acid stings! Interestingly enough, it only seems to sting in those areas of my face where it is most needed: on my left cheek, where some extra stubborn pimples have been annoying me for ages (thanks to sleeping on my left side, hmpf), and on my chin, where I have some rough and slightly flaky patches. The stinging goes away after a minute or so, and it isn’t too strong, so definitely not something that would turn me off this toner.
In fact, the results are very much worth a little discomfort! Even after my first use I could already see vast improvements in my skin texture: my face felt baby soft and looked much smoother the next morning. Furthermore, the Skin Prep Water seems to noticeably even out my skin tone and has an overall brightening effect, which makes my skin look more youthful. I am also starting to see a positive effect on my enlarged pores around my nose area. I can’t say that it has helped fade my acne breakout on my cheek so far, but it’s only been roughly 2 weeks since I’ve started using it, after all.
In any case, I felt that given the instantaneous results it would be fine to review the Skin Prep Water this quickly – I can definitely already tell how great this product is, and I will very happily continue using it. I am curious to see how my skin will continue to improve with time, and will of course keep you updated on my Instagram. So far, I am impressed by its brightening, smoothing and texture-improving properties. Despite the slight stinging, I haven’t noticed any issues with sensitivities or intolerances – it’s a strong toner with quick results, but it also seems to be gentle enough to use every day if your skin can handle actives.
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water – the Bottom Line
All in all, I am – you probably guessed it already – really, really impressed by this product! Wishtrend has created something rather wonderful here: a gentle, yet effective exfoliating toning solution that most people should find helpful in a variety of ways. If you have dull, flaky or rough skin texture, this may just become your new best friend! As someone who is nearly 40 I also felt that it makes my skin appear more youthful, which really surprised (and delighted) me.
There is some stinging and redness involved when I use the Skin Prep Water, so if you have sensitive skin you should patch test this product and best only use it every other day at first, or maybe even only 1-2 times a week. In general, I would advise this as a nighttime only product. I use this instead of my regular toner right after cleansing at night and feel it is moisturising enough so that another toner isn’t needed.
If you are interested in trying out the By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water you can find it online at Wishtrend for 22$.
If you would like me to do more K-Beauty reviews in English, please comment below! Have you tried any mandelic acid products before?
Take care guys!
Sugarpeaches
°PR Sample, kindly provided by Wishtrend
*Affiliate Links
Sorry my question to the mandalaic acid 5% tonerhas come up on the website on today’s date in the march on my android so hopefully you will see it. Sorry I have predicted text and it’s been a nightmare trying out my German. I stopped studies at the age of sixteen,however I thought I would give it a try. I learnt French and German at school. Unfortunately these days it Is French and Spanish in Yorkshire. I found French easier to learn than German but German easier to speak. These days many say Spanish is easier than French. I did find it difficult to understand why objects were masculine and feminine in French as in un/und and in German feminine, masculine and neuter and verbs at the end of certain sentences such as geboren on the end of the date you were born which is different to French. We met French couple 30 yrs ago and are still in contact with them and when I asked about feminine/masculine objects their answer was it’s French it’s stupid but they would still understand if you got the remind/masculine incorrect. I’m not sure with German having neuter as well. Did you find English easy or difficult? I know I’m of the subject of the mandalaic tonic here. I find it interesting. I still love Europeans despite the political and very close Brexit. Freundlichen regards Dawn
Thank you for your comments! I wonder, since you have rosacea a peeling with PHA would maybe be more suitable than Mandelic Acid, you might want to look into this. Look up the brand “Geek & Gorgeous”, they have a PHA + BHA peeling called “Calm Down” which I love. I started learning English when I was around 10 years old and I am 42 now, with 7 years of living in New Zealand, getting a PhD in English Literature and teaching English literature and writing at university for many years. I’ve also been writing articles in English for decades now. So, I’m basically bilingual at this point and think and even dream in both languages. So, I don’t really remember what it was like learning English, it’s been so many years by now! French was difficult for me, for sure, because their pronunciation is just so different from German. I hope one day I can learn Korean, it would help a lot to read and speak it for my beauty research. All the best!
Hallo Ich bin Dawn.
Danke fur deine sehr hilfreiche review. Ich bin 60 jahre alt und have sehr trockene sensitive dull skin mit Rosacea und der gross pores die Ich sehr much smaller. Entschulidigen bitte mein nicht sehr gutes Deutsch. Ich spreche din bisschen Deutsch und ein nich sicher der toner will suit my skin type. Fur eine antwort auf Englisch ware Ich ihnen dankbar. Ich bin eine Englischer und Ich spreche seit 20 jahren kein Deutsch und ihr Englisch Ist sehr sehr gut!! und Ich spreche Duetch nicht sehr gut!!
Vielen dank. Entschulidigen sir bitter mein computer haben sir nicht des umlauts.
Mit freundlichen regards. dawnddalowe@gmail.com
Hi! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this product. I am currently using it but only once or twice a week because I have sensitive skin. I just would like to ask what kind of serum do you use with this? I am currently using Dear Klairs products for my toner and moisturizer since I have no idea which serum is correct to use. Thanks.
Hi! There is need for a special serum to use with the Skin Prep Water, any serum you like to use can be used with a chemical exfoliant, especially hydrating serums are good because your skin may be a bit dry after use.
Hi im from Vietnam, i just applied this product once lastnight, and its surprised me that there was no sting on my skin, and its quite moist. By the way its a promising product. I heard that spf cream during daytime is a must If we use acid, but i work at home. Do i still need to use suncream, I really hate reapplying suncream and futhermore, I havent found the ideal sunblock for my oily-acne skin .
Btw, thanks for your review, have a lovely day 🙂
Hey, thank you for your comment, glad you like the Skin Prep Water. I would still apply sunscreen daily even when working at home, since sunlight filters through windows and can still cause UV damage. It’s TOUGH to find a good sunscreen, for sure – have you tried the Klairs UV Essence? I find it quite good for acne-prone skin, since it doesn’t feel greasy. The other sunscreen I know a lot of oily skin people love is the Etude House Sunprise Airy Finish, which I haven’t tried myself though.
Hallo!
Danke für diesen guten und ausführlichen Review!
Ich habe ebenfalls diesen Toner erworben and I found it – surprisingly, after checking reviews over reviews – drying. Now I did look at the ingredients list before purchasing it, and it is indeed full of goodness. And moisturising agents.
In reality, this leaves my combination skin tense, and slightly itchy, and I do not suffer from any allergies, also my skin is part oily part dry-ish, with no major issue except perhaps slight lines.
I am used to all sorts of acids, and my skin does tolerate them well, but this…. I am so disappointed because I had hoped for everything which has been described above, and in many other blogs.
I waited for 20 mins, hoping the sting would go, but no. I am afraid that this “drying” effect will be counteracted with more oil production by my skin, which I do wish to risk.
After using this i tried (haven’t yet given up!) to layer gentle really hydration toners over it, several of them, but to no avail… the stinging doesn’t go away!
Cream, oils, nothing works. Any idea what could cause this? Thank you in advance!
Hm, how strange, I’ve never heard of anyone saying this dries out their skin! I don’t find this moisturising per se and always use another hydrating toner afterwards, but it definitely doesn’t dry out my skin or cause any longtime stinging. I’m on my second bottle now and still use this almost every day! Do you maybe have an intolerance to any of the ingredients that you didn’t know of before? Is this your first time trying Mandelic acid? Maybe you just don’t do well with it, though it’s strange since it’s supposed to be less drying due to its higher molecular size. Sometimes a “holy grail” just won’t work for someone, I have the same thing with many K-beauty products others rave about, such as the Purito essences. Our skin works in mysterious ways! I’m sorry this didn’t work for you! 🙁
Thank you for your quick response! 🙂
Yes, I really did expect otherwise, partly because if the ingredients list, partly because my skin is used to all sorts of (stronger) acids/very low ph… and partly since my skin is pretty much middle of the road combination/robust, only with slightly rosacea on the middle of my cheeks.
So yes, I was surprised to find this having an effect almost comparable to alcohol. The last time I used it, it took about 2 hrs (and multiple layers of calming toners and essences) to go away. I am so bummed, since, as I mentioned above, just love their ingredients (which I can tolerate no problem otherwise).
Well, conclusion is as you’ve said… all skins are different. I’ll give it a last shot mixing it with some other toner, a few drops, and slightly increase the amount… followed immediately with more Centella toner.
Keeping my fingers crossed 🙂