Natural Lactic Acid For Face

If you’re like most men, you have a few problems that bother you to an extent. One of them is skin care. There are so many products on the market; it’s hard to know what works and what doesn’t work. I fell in love with this skincare product immediately upon seeing it.

Anyone that has ever used an anti-aging skincare product knows that they have a variety of options. The most popular ingredients in anti-aging products like retinol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, are becoming household names. But natural lactic acid compounds are starting to get some attention—and for good reason.

This page will discuss Natural Lactic Acid For Face, Lactic Acid Serum and Lactic Acid For Sensitive Skin.

Moisturizing Effects of Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is a highly moisturizing ingredient that penetrates deep skin layers, providing the skin with the necessary moisture. It trains skin cells to hold onto moisture, preventing oily and dry skin. This leads to dryness and oiliness due to the skin’s inability to hold its moisture. Lactic acid is rich in essential nutrients and can aid in the exfoliation process by providing natural enzymes that remove dead skin cell buildup. This results in healthy skin and a glowing complexion. However, it is best to avoid lactic acid for sensitive skin or those with a known lactose allergy. To renew your complexion, use a mask to reveal brighter, more youthful-looking skin. However, sensitive skin or those with a known allergy to lactose should avoid lactic acid.

Natural Sources Of lactic Acid For Skin

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) derived from fruit acids are among the best ways to exfoliate your skin. By breaking down the bonds that hold the cells together, they help slough off the dead skin cells, loosen dirt and makeup, and clogged pores to reveal smooth skin beneath

There are several types of fruit acids found in commercial skincare products today [source], but they can also be easily made with a few fresh ingredients at home. When applied to the face, these simple AHA face masks help revitalize skin, giving you a gorgeous, fresh glow.

Just be sure you are following any fruit acid treatment or mask with the proper sunscreen. The last thing you’ll want to do is subject those new skin cells to sun damage because that contributes to aging, the opposite of what we are trying to achieve!

5 AHA Face Mask Recipes

1. Lactic Acid

One of the more gentle fruit acids, lactic acid, is ideal for sensitive skin and fighting acne. Known to have moisturizing properties, it is also acid-balancing and filled with probiotics

This natural acid is commonly found in dairy products like yogurt and some fruits, such as grapefruit, and can be applied weekly for optimal benefits. Lactic acid is a great introduction to the alpha hydroxy acids and can be a good test of your sensitivity to fruit acids in general. 

Yogurt and Grapefruit Mask 

• ½ grapefruit, juiced
• ½ cup plain, unsweetened organic yogurt

Mix yogurt with the juice from ½ grapefruit in a bowl. Apply a thin layer to clean skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and follow with your daily moisturizer. Apply weekly as a face mask.

(Vegans can replace the yogurt with a couple of tablespoons of powdered clay, or check out the alternatives in recipe #2 or #4.)

2. Tartaric Acid

Tartaric acid is naturally found in grapes and bananas, and when applied topically, it can smooth the skin, enhancing your skin’s natural glow. Champagne (fermented grape juice) is an easily available source of tartaric acid, which makes this detoxifying face mask a great choice for a light alpha-hydroxy treatment.

Or give this second recipe for an anti-aging wine mask a shot for a gentle dose of tartaric acid.

Detoxifying AHA Mask with Champagne

• ¼ cup champagne
• 4 ounces ofpowdered clay (Bentonite is a great choice for all skin types.)
• 2 tablespoons organic heavy cream, half and half, or plain, unsweetened yogurt (vegans mix with water or raw organic apple cider vinegar in the same quantity)

Spoon the clay into a mixing bowl, then slowly pour in the cream or yogurt, gently stirring as you pour. Add the champagne and mix again.

Apply to your face and neck and let sit for about 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and a washcloth, then follow with your daily skincare routine.

Anti-Aging Wine Mask

• 2 tablespoons red or white wine
• Handful of organic red grapes
• 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
• 1 teaspoon raw honey

Combine all ingredients in a non-metal bowl. Squeeze or crush a few of the grapes to extract the fresh juice. Mix until you have a smooth consistency, adding more wine if needed.

Spread the paste evenly over a clean face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Relax and let the mask penetrate for 10–15 minutes. Rinse and follow with moisturizer.

3. Citric Acid

Citric acid can be found in various citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and limes. It has many benefits for the skin, but as far as AHA face masks go, citric acid is best known for lightening acne spots and improving the overall texture of skin. This homemade lemon and milk facial mask can help inject some citric acid into your beauty routine.

While you can use most citrus fruits, it’s best to avoid limes, as exposure to sunlight 48 hours after lime juice touches your skin can set up some predisposed people to a nasty case of dermatitis.

Lemon + Milk Mask

• 2 tablespoons offull-fat organic milk
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Mix milk with lemon juice in a small bowl, and let it sit on the counter for a couple of hours until it curdles. Then apply liberally to your neck and face, avoiding the eyes. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes (longer is okay), and you’ll feel it tightening as it dries. Then rinse with warm water and apply moisturizer.

4. Malic Acid

Malic acid is found most abundantly in apples. It can reduce signs of aging, help alleviate acne, brighten skin tone, and promote collagen production. Serving as a humectant, malic acid also retains moisture. You can enjoy the benefits of malic acid with this apple cider vinegar peel.

Apple Cider Vinegar Peel (a good one for vegans)

• 1 tablespoon organic, raw, unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar
• ½ lemon, juiced (optional, and those with sensitive skin should skip it)

In a bowl or small cup, combine apple cider vinegar and lemon juice (if using). Using a cotton round, dip it in the apple cider vinegar and gently swab over your face in circular motions, steering clear of the eye area.

Tingling sensations are to be expected. However, if you feel burning, you can dilute the apple cider vinegar with some water. If the tingling or burning sensation does not subside with cooling and frequent skin moisturization, it is recommended that you contact your dermatologist.

5. Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is one of the most popular rapid exfoliators available, making it a frequent additive in most anti-aging products. It’s derived from sugar cane and has shown tremendous success regenerating the surface layers of the skin and lessening the appearance of superficial scars and hyperpigmentation [source].

Using a few ingredients from your pantry, you can get the benefits of glycolic acid with the help of this AHA sugar mask.

Honey + Sugar AHA Face Mask

• 2 tablespoons raw organic sugar (turbinado or sucanat)
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• Juice of ½ lemon

You’ll want the sugar to be as fine as possible (but not processed to fine like white sugar), so you’ll probably want to use a coffee grinder or blender to break it down. Then combine the sugar and honey in a bowl. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the bowl and mix well.

Apply the mixture to your face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Rinse with warm water after 5–10 minutes. In the beginning, start with just 1–2 minutes and gradually increase the time with each application to a maximum of 10 minutes.

Glycolic acid use should be gradually increased, so limit the length of time on your skin in the beginning, or extend the frequency of application if you find your skin becomes sensitive to its effects.

Many people with sensitive skin or rosacea-prone skin can have a bad reaction to glycolic acid, so avoid it altogether if you fall into this group.

What Foods Are High in Lactic Acid?

Apple cider vinegar (malic acid) can be added to glycolic acid masks, but it is advisable to exercise caution as adding more acid may increase irritation, especially for sensitive skin. It is recommended to test the mask on your wrist before applying it. Sugar contains glycolic acid, so sucanat or turbinado sugar is recommended in the Honey + Sugar AHA Face Mask. White sugar, though highly processed, has less glycolic acid and less effect.

These masks are not as potent as those found at dermatologists’ offices, and they should be used 1–2 times a week at most. Over-exfoliation can cause more harm than good in the long run. It is important to listen to your skin, give it time to rest between treatments, and always wear sunscreen when spending moments outside.

The eye area is more delicate than other areas of the face, and applying acid can cause redness and irritation. Additionally, these masks can tingle or sting, which can be irritating and even cause serious damage to the eyes.

Exfoliating with a sugar scrub before using an AHA face mask may be too harsh, increasing pain, irritation, and breaking down the skin’s moisture barrier. Lactic acid is produced through fermentation, a process where yeasts, mold, fungi, or bacteria break down carbohydrates into alcohol, gas, and acids. Food manufacturers use starter cultures to begin the fermentation process, which involves selecting a container to limit oxygen exposure, adding a brine of water and salt, and placing the food that needs to be fermented, such as cabbage or cucumber. The fermentation process can take anywhere from days to months, and the fermented food is stored in a cool place to prevent spoilage.

A few types of foods are high in lactic acid. Generally, any food produced through a fermentation process is full of lactic acid bacteria and other beneficial bacteria. These include but are not limited to:

• Bread and beer
• Soy products such as tofu and soy milk
• Cheese
• Pickled vegetables such as kimchi and sauerkraut
• Pickled meats such as salami
• Legumes, such as beans and peas.

To get the most out of these foods, avoid cooking them over high heat. This may kill the beneficial bacteria. 

Instead, try adding them as toppings or condiments for cooked food. Fermented foods are delicious and highly varied in texture and flavor. They make an excellent addition to any meal.

Is Lactic Acid Good for You?

Lactic acid is generally vegan and originates from cereals, legumes, or fermented vegetables. However, it can be found in non-vegan fermented meat and dairy products. Some food manufacturers may use animal sources to produce human-made lactic acid. Despite its potential health benefits, lactic acid can be used as a food preservative to control pH, prevent spoilage, and improve food taste. It can also boost the quality of food nutrition by strengthening the immune system, aiding in mineral and vitamin absorption, providing antioxidant effects, and protecting against vaginal and urinary infections.

Lactobacillus bacteria, found in fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt, can boost gut health and protect against constipation and other gastrointestinal issues. Lactic acid is one of the world’s oldest and most well-loved beauty ingredients, used for centuries to improve complexions and moisturize the skin. It is suitable for babies and is beneficial for women worldwide seeking a moisturizer that promotes renewed skin tone and improved texture.

Lactic acid is also common in yogurt, making powdered milk or plain yogurt ideal for homemade masks. It is essential to ask the manufacturer directly to determine the source of lactic acid.