Mandelic acid (inci)

Mandelic acid, which is mandelic acid, chemically DL-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetic acid with the empirical formula C8H8O3, is an aromatic carboxylic acid which is formed when an extract of bitter almonds is heated with dilute hydrochloric acid. The mandelic acid is highly soluble in water and ethanol. The mandelic acid used today (industrially) is obtained synthetically from benzaldehyde and prussic acid. Officially (according to DAB7, ÖAB90), mandelic acid is used as a urinary and bile antiseptic (the acid has a bacteriostatic/bactericidal effect on streptococci, staphylococci and coli bacteria in acidic environments).

In cosmetics, mandelic acid is used as an antimicrobial agent (helps to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the skin).

The salts/esters of mandelic acid are called almondates.