The SkinticianOver the years you went from having a few blemishes here and there to full-blown pocked skin, hyperpigmentation, and scarring. You’ve tried it all from expensive social media influencer sponsored peels to DIY treatments at home and so far NOTHING has worked. Don’t worry about it friend, my Manamino Exfoliant has got you covered! Clinically formulated for my darker tone kinfolk with hyperpigmented skin, this exfoliation of Mandelic and Amino Acid offers intense anti-oxidant properties and tissue repair support to gently alleviate mild to severe discoloration and scarring.
Photo Credit: Oladimeji Odunsi
Why It’s Good: Bringing you the powers of mandelic acid, a gentle AHA and amino acid L-arginine, your days of blemishes and discoloration are over! Formulated specifically for sensitive and darker skin tones, this exfoliant targets hyperpigmentation, and scarring effectively smoothing the overall texture of acne scarred skin. If you are still dealing with the aftermath of chronic acne breakouts, this is the solution for you!
How To Use: After cleansing, apply the exfoliant to the face and neck. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Use no more than once to twice a week, in the evenings.
Ingredients:
(full list below)
Aqua (Purified Water)
Oh so important water, we all know what benefits this has for the skin but for the Manamino Exfoliant, we only need it to effectively mix together the following ingredients.
Alcohol Denatured Lavendula
Alcohol denatured can be extremely drying to the skin, especially if used over a long period of time. Even though this alcohol is, in fact drying to the skin, it is necessary for this exfoliant to quickly de-grease the skin and remove any oil barrier to the pores so that the product can easily get through the surface. The smell of alcohol is masked with an essential oil such as Lavendula (lavender) so the scent isn’t so pungent. It is important to note that the directions of use for this exfoliant are to be used no more than twice a week due to the quality and strength of the alcohol and the following ingredients.
Mandelic Acid
Ah yes, now down to the nitty-gritty. Mandelic acid along with amino acid, L-Arginine (to be discussed below), are the two key ingredients in this exfoliant and offer specific targeted goals for hyperpigmented skin. This exfoliant corrects discoloration by sloughing off dead skin by breaking down the bond that holds the skin cells together. This will help reveal newer, supple skin that will appear more even in color and complexion. It also aims to create a smoother more even appearance by supporting collagen stimulation, the building blocks of skin support and the key to keeping you look naturally youthful.
Olus Oil
Who doesn’t want soft, touchable skin? The olus oil is a skin smoothing active ingredient derived from the oil of pressed vegetable plants. After rinsing away the exfoliant you’ll notice smooth, and supple skin, with a lifted appearance. You have the olus oil to thank for that!
Glycerin
Glycerin seems to always make an appearance in both skincare and hair care products since it’s the best humectant to draw moisture from the air and onto the coated surface. It’s so important to keep skin hydrated and moisturized during and after exfoliation to prevent itchiness and flakiness.
Lauryl Glucoside
Lauryl glucoside is a sugar and lipid-based surfactant necessary to ensure that dirt and oil from the pores are easily washed away during the rinsing phase.
Polyglyceryl-2
Polyglyceryl-2 is used here as an emollient, surfactant and emulsifier.
Dipolyhydroxystearate
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate is a plant-based ingredient used as a skin conditioning agent to keep the skin smooth and even.
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Dicaprylyl Carbonate is a solid fat derived from either vegetable, synthetic or animal sources. It helps other ingredients penetrate the skin more efficiently as it is an effective emollient.
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Hydroxyethylcellulose is a polymer; used as a gelling and thickening agent.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is an effective exfoliant when applied topically and helps to increase cell turnover and slough off dead skin. This, in turn, helps reduce the appearance of acne scars, discoloration, and uneven tone and texture. It goes without saying that citric acid is derived from citrus fruits.
L-Arginine
Now we’re down to the second most important ingredient (never mind its placement in the ingredient list, less is more here), the amino acid L-arginine in this formula helps to repair and rebuild the skin and hasten the wound healing process. This is extremely important if you have scar tissue and skin damage and you hope to reduce the appearances of such. It is particularly effective immediately after exfoliation which is why it was chosen alongside the AHA mandelic acid. Your welcome!
Caprylyl glycol
Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from caprylic acid, found in the milk of some mammals as well as palm and coconut oils. It is used in this formula for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sorbic Acid and Phenoxyethanol
Sorbic Acid and phenoxyethanol, are preservatives necessary to keep the product from corroding, contamination and preventing bacteria and fungi colonies from forming. Preservatives have gotten a lot of bad press in recent years, and I often feel as though they have been misunderstood. Products use and need preservatives anytime there are live or active ingredients that could fall victim to contamination and threaten the integrity of the product.
Pyruvic Acid
Pyruvic acid is an exfoliating acid meant to resurface the skin and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. It’s also effective at treating acne and controlling oil production. We used small, but effective amounts here since it can be highly irritating to sensitive skin.
Cetyl Alcohol
Who would’ve thought that alcohol would be moisturizing and not drying? Well, that is if you get the right ones and in the right amounts. But don’t worry cetyl alcohol is one of the good ones and it can actually moisturize the skin during use. It also helps stabilize the ingredients in the product.
Dicetyl Phosphate
This is a surfactant or a cleaning agent that helps water to mix with dirt and oil so that it can be easily washed away during the cleansing procedure. Dicetyl Phosphate is made with cetyl alcohol and phosphoric acid and in some product formulations double as an emulsifier.
Ceteth- 10 Phosphate and Glyceryl Oleate
Mixing the “un-mixable”, ceteth-10 phosphate and glyceryl oleate are emulsifying agents bringing together ingredients that wouldn’t otherwise stay mixed together. Think of trying to mix together water and oil, which we all know separates after settling. An emulsifying agent brings together these ingredients and keeps them equally dispersed throughout the product to ensure you get an equal dose for each use.
Ferulic Acid
Another acid not meant to exfoliate but stabilize the effects of vitamins C and E while providing its own antioxidant effects. Derived from plants such as bran, helps to protect the skin from environmental stressors that prematurely age the skin.
Ferula Foetida Root Extract
Ferula Foetida Root Extract is an extract of the roots of the asafetida, Ferula Foetida plant. It’s used for naturally scenting a product and doubles as a conditioning agent to prevent the skin from irritation.
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
The beautiful hibiscus plant is making its rounds in many brands of skincare for its exfoliation and skin conditioning properties. Derived from an extract of the flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa, the hibiscus plant contains alpha-hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate the skin. This plant is particularly good for darker skin types as it is derived from a natural source and tends to be much gentler on pigmented and sensitive skin.
So there’s the scoop on the NWÄR Skin Manamino Exfoliant. It’s simple yet effective, and I am super proud of the results.
Have you recently used The Manamino Exfoliant? Tell me what you think in the comments below!
Looking to add this new product to your skincare routine. Buy it here!
My name is Chandra Davis and I am the owner of NWÄR STUDIOS, INC. and the creator of NWÄR Skin, Inc. I am also the sole author of the blog #ASKTHESKINTICIAN, LLC. and I am excited to share my knowledge, experience, and expertise on all things skincare as it relates to the melanin-rich. As the Skintician, it is my mission to create diversity and inclusion in an industry that has historically excluded people of color from the conversations of beauty.
