FAQs

Almond Clear products are powered by mandelic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can be derived from bitter almonds or synthetically produced. It has a larger molecular structure than other common acids, so it’s very slow to absorb into the skin and less likely to cause irritation, redness, and excessive dryness. This makes it an ideal skin care product for people with sensitive, dry, and/or dark skin. This also makes it ideal for using consistently and daily, as it provides powerful results over time. 

With mandelic acid as the powerhouse ingredient, our products can help with a range of skin issues, including:

• Acne of all types
• Keratosis Pilaris
• Ingrown hairs
• Folliculitis
• Hyperpigmentation
• Dry, dull, or aging skin

Learn more about mandelic acid here.  

Our Level 1 Serum contains 10% mandelic acid and is formulated specifically to use on the face or sensitive skin on the body (example: bikini line). 

Our Level 2 Serum contains 15% mandelic acid and is only for usage on the body. We do not recommend using Level 2 on the face. 

For the bikini line, we usually recommend the Level 1 Serum since it’s better for sensitive areas. Be sure to avoid applying it to the inner labia, as this will cause an uncomfortable burning sensation. Flushing with water will clear the burning feeling.

When starting the Level 1 or Level 2 Serum for the first time, we recommend doing a patch test on your inner forearm or behind your ear to see if there’s any reaction to it. Wait 24 hours to check for redness, inflammation, or irritation. Then, start with every other day application and increase as tolerated to daily usage. For acne and folliculitis, build to twice-daily usage.

For a typical routine, we recommend starting with a gentle cleanser, then letting the skin dry completely before applying the serum to the entire problem area (no spot treating). Make sure your hands are clean! (Or you can use cotton pads.) Applying the serum to wet or damp skin can decrease sensitivity.

Allow around 2-5 minutes for the serum to absorb into the skin, then follow up with a non-comedogenic moisturizer and SPF (at least 30+).  Wash hands immediately after application to avoid skin peeling on the palms of the hands.

It’s unlikely that you’ll experience any purging if you’ve already been using an exfoliating product like a different skincare acid, a vitamin A product like Retin-A, or benzoyl peroxide. 

If your skin isn’t accustomed to exfoliating products, then you could experience purging: a little mild dryness and tingling or some small breakouts. Purging normally happens for 1-2 weeks. Once it stops, your skin will be significantly clearer. Going through purging can be difficult, but once you get to the other side, you’ll be on your way towards smoother, clearer skin. It is a hard, but necessary, step in the skin-clearing process.

Our Level 2 Serum contains 15% mandelic acid, which is very strong for the thin and sensitive skin found on the face. We recommend that you use Level 2 only for the body, and stick with the Level 1 Serum for the face.

Some people with very oily, non-sensitive skin choose to apply the Level 2 Serum to their faces, but we discourage this because of the risk of skin irritation.

Our Level 2 Serum is designed specifically for the body (like back, shoulders, chest, butt). Most red, pimple-like bumps on the body are caused by acne, folliculitis, or a combination of both. Since the body has more layers of skin, the Level 2 Serum is more effective with its 15% concentration of mandelic acid.

Since mandelic acid is a much gentler AHA than others, it is generally safe for sensitive skin. Mandelic acid has a larger molecular size than other AHAs, causing it to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly, which reduces irritation. 

That said, our products are not necessarily suitable for certain conditions—like eczema, for example—so if you have overlapping, tricky skin concerns, it’s best to consult a dermatologist or an esthetician before trying our products.

AHAs like mandelic acid increase sun sensitivity because they exfoliate the top layers of the skin, which can make it more vulnerable to UV damage. This increased sensitivity can lead to sunburn, irritation, and hyperpigmentation if you’re not protecting your skin properly.

Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every morning, even on cloudy days or if you’re mostly indoors. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours if you’re outside or sweating, and wear protective clothing or a hat if you’ll be in direct sunlight for extended periods.

Yes, our products are incredible for melanin-rich skin because they are unlikely to create hyperpigmentation when used correctly. If you have melanin-rich skin, then it’s important to build up usage slowly and be sure not to over-exfoliate. 

If you overdo it with your usage, your skin can temporarily darken (this is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH). PIH is a sign that you’re applying the serum too often, so you need to decrease serum applications and increase moisturizer usage. If you experience temporary skin darkening, we recommend pausing serum usage for 3-5 days while the skin barrier recovers, apply lots of a non-comedogenic moisturizer, and then gradually reintroduce serum application, being careful not to over-exfoliate again.

A slight tingling or mild stinging when first applying the product is fairly common, especially if you have sensitive skin or are new to exfoliating acids. This sensation often fades after a few minutes and tends to lessen over time as your skin adjusts.

If you experience any burning, itching, rash, or redness, it’s best to stop using the product and let your skin recover. We do not recommend putting the serum on broken or already-irritated skin.  

For some tips to reduce irritation:

• Start with once-a-day use, preferably at night, and build up to twice daily if your skin tolerates it well. For targeting hyperpigmentation, once a day application is usually sufficient.
• Avoid combining with other strong actives (like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, or AHAs/BHAs) until your skin has adjusted.
• Always follow with a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer to support your skin barrier.

We recommend that you check with a healthcare professional. People with nut allergies are typically allergic to nut proteins.
Mandelic acid contains no nut proteins.

This is the big question that everyone wants to know! There's no simple answer.

For acne, folliculitis, and ingrown hairs, some people notice initial improvements within two weeks. Other people will need to wait four weeks to see results. Optiml results tend to occur around 12 weeks.

For aging skin and hyperpigmentation, improvements occur gradually. You’ll likely start to notice results after a few weeks, and as you use Almond Clear over multiple weeks, you’ll see the improvements continue to stack up. Hyperpigmentation usually takes about 10-12 weeks to see results. 

Ultimately: patience, consistency, and making necessary tweaks to your skincare routine will help you discover the best results. 

Feel free to check out our Before and After photos here.

Skin peeling, otherwise known as exfoliation, is a critical step in improving a wide variety of skin concerns. Many people mistakenly believe that if a product dries their skin a little, then this product is too “harsh” and so they reduce or stop their usage. This is a huge mistake that will prevent people from getting the best results. 

It’s true that uncomfortably dry, red, or irritated skin should be avoided. If your skin gets painfully dry then you need to decrease usage. On the other hand, flaking skin that is not tender or irritated is exactly what you should be experiencing when you start using a new alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). 

Almond Clear is powered by mandelic acid, an AHA that’s derived from bitter almonds. When applied to the skin, it dissolves the bonds between dead skin cells. These cells flake off both on the surface of your skin as well as inside the pores. As skin cell turnover increases, a variety of skin improvements occur. Clogged debris is dissolved and can escape from the pores. Hyperpigmented skin cells are exfoliated and replaced with new, normally-pigmented cells. Ingrown hairs that were held under dead skin can escape the surface of the skin. And the skin cell turnover stimulates your body to produce collagen and elastin, two proteins that are responsible for firm and plump-looking skin. If you don’t allow your skin to peel, then none of these improvements will occur. 

You’ll experience maximum drying over the first few weeks of using Almond Clear. That’s why it’s important to gradually work up to daily application because this gives your skin time to adapt. After 6-8 weeks of Almond Clear usage, your skin should no longer flake. 

To combat flaking skin, use a non-comedogenic, cream-based moisturizer as often as needed. Make sure to wash your hands after applying the serum so that your palms don’t peel. 

If you can deal with a few weeks of peeling skin, then you’re much more likely to achieve your skincare goals!

Peeling is usually a sign of beneficial exfoliation, so long as the skin isn’t red, itchy, or irritated. That said, it’s not a necessary occurrence to see results. As long as your skin isn’t irritated or you’re not peeling in excess, you should be on the right track!

Yes, you can apply Almond Clear products to the bikini area. Our serums have helped many people to clear hyperpigmentation, ingrown hairs, and bumps in the bikini region. They can be safely used on the outer labia and bikini line.The Level 1 Serum, especially, is great for more sensitive skin. However, avoid application to the inner labia or internal vaginal area, as this will cause irritation. We recommend doing a patch test for sensitivity before applying the product for the first time.

Right after waxing and shaving, your hair follicles are very open and your skin is a little raw, so applying an exfoliating serum can cause a lot of irritation during this delicate period. We recommend waiting 24 - 48 hours after waxing or shaving to apply the serum. Never apply to chapped or broken skin.

All Almond Clear products are specially designed to be safe for fungal acne (also known as folliculitis). We formulate using the most up-to-date research on what causes fungal acne breakouts.

You can use mandelic acid with other skincare products, but it’s important to pair it thoughtfully to avoid irritation and get the best results. Gentle cleansers, certain moisturizers (especially those with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides), and non-comedogenic oils (like squalane or MCT oil, if your skin is dry) are all fine. Products with niacinamide are all right, too, since it can help calm the skin and reduce inflammation alongside mandelic acid.

If you’re using any of these below, it’s best to either alternate days or use them at different times of day (for example, mandelic acid at night and the other product in the morning):

• Retinol or Retinoids
• Other exfoliating acids (like glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid form): Some people can tolerate both, but it can be irritating when layered.
• Benzoyl Peroxide: This can be very drying when combined with mandelic acid, but the combination can really help severe acne.

Lastly, we recommend not mixing strong prescription treatments (unless your dermatologist advises it) and physical scrubs or other exfoliants. Over-exfoliation can occur. 

In general, we recommend consulting a dermatologist or esthetician for the optimal routine.

You can find us on our website, TikTok Shop, and Amazon. Please note that the shipping and refund policies differ for Amazon and TikTok Shop.

We are based out of beautiful Portland, Oregon, in the United States. 

Yes! All of our products are 100% proudly made in the United States.

That is our manufacture date (not an expiration date). Our products are good for up to 2 years past the manufacture date or one year from date of open, whichever comes first.

None of our products, nor the individual ingredients, are tested on animals. We are firmly against cruelty to animals. Furthermore, our formulations are 100% vegan.

We love a good sale, too! However, Almond Clear is not a discount-based brand. We work hard to offer our products at a reasonable everyday price.

If you're looking for a discount, the best option is to start a subscription and save 15% (and free domestic shipping). That way, you can conveniently replenish your favorite Almond Clear products with flexible refill intervals between 3 to 20 weeks while saving money!

Building your own kit is another option, where you save 10% to 20% by purchasing 3 or more items. Click on "Kits" under "All Products” to get started.

RESALE IS PROHIBITED. Buyer will not resell Almond Clear products, through brokers, exporters, or otherwise. If Buyer breaches the terms of this Section, in addition to Seller’s cancellation rights, Buyer agrees to fully indemnify Seller, its officers, employees, Affiliates, agents, and distributors, from any liability related to the resale, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and costs. Seller will not grant refunds or returns for products intended for resale.