Mandelic acid peels are a type of alpha hydroxy aha peel similar to glycolic acid and lactic acid peels because mandelic acid molecules are larger than both that of glycolic and lactic acid mandelic peels are less penetrating and irritating but still very effective for treating damaged skin mandelic acid peels are a great choice for a first time chemical peel their antibacterial qualities also make them good for people with acne prone skin because it is one of the gentler chemical peel