What To Use Lactic Acid With

Lactic acid is a natural ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways. It has many benefits and is often added to other ingredients to enhance those benefits. It can be used on the face, body, and hair, as well as in skincare products. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is derived from milk and other dairy products but also occurs naturally in grapes, watermelons and other fruits. Lactic acid is used in cosmetic products because it helps exfoliate the top layer of skin by dissolving dead skin cells. This process can reveal younger-looking skin underneath.

When applied to the face or body regularly, it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Because lactic acid has a low pH level (3-4), which makes it chemically stable when exposed to air or sunlight, it is also used in skincare products designed for sensitive skin types because it won’t irritate sensitive areas like lips or eyes as much as other acids would.

Lactic acid is great for those looking to create a smooth and creamy texture. Lactic acid can be used in the brewing process, but it is rather expensive and the beer produced tends to be sour. This has led many brewers to experiment with adding lactic acid after the beer has been brewed (post-fermentation). Read on to learn more on can i use lactic acid with niacinamide/how to use lactic acid the ordinary.

How to add lactic acid to your skincare routine

✔️ Start slow: Always follow the product’s instructions, but it’s better to start slowly with acids and build up a tolerance. When in doubt, use a lower-concentration product (around 5%) a couple of times per week, working your way up to every other day depending on your skin’s response.

✔️ Test it out: Before you use a lactic acid product, do a patch test on the inner portion of your elbow or just below your chin to see if you have any type of reaction. If you experience any extreme irritation, discontinue use or consult your dermatologist for next steps.

✔️ Find your hero product:  Lactic acid can be found in a wide variety of skincare products, including the following:

• Cleansers: Great for acne-prone skin, a face wash containing lactic acid is a great way to reap the benefits of the ingredient without too much time on your skin, reducing the potential for irritation. Be sure to avoid the areas around your eyes.
• Creams or lotions: Creams and lotions are a great way to introduce lactic acid into your routine because they’re often formulated with moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, mitigating potential dryness.
• Serums: Serums typically deliver a more potent shot of active ingredients to the skin. It’s best to use these at night after cleansing and before moisturizing.
• Masks: These products are designed to give a quick hit of exfoliation, meaning the concentration of lactic acid and other potent ingredients may be higher. In general, experts recommend using a mask like this once per week or as needed.

✔️ Avoid mixing: Unless a product is specifically formulated with multiple acids (like the ones mentioned above), avoid pairing your lactic acid product with another product that contains AHAs, BHAs, or retinol at the same time of application to avoid excessive dryness.

✔️ Don’t forget sunscreen: Again, always use SPF in the morning if you use a lactic acid product the night before. This can help protect the new, healthy skin from UV damage

What Not to Mix with The Ordinary Lactic Acid Serums

Since lactic acid is potentially sensitizing, you should not use it at the same time as other direct acids like salicylic acid or azelaic acid, other AHAs like glycolic acid or mandelic acid, or other actives like benzoyl peroxide acne treatments.

You should also avoid using lactic acid with strong actives like pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Ascorbic acid works best at a pH of 3.5 or under.

The Ordinary lactic acid serums are formulated at a pH of 3.6–3.8.

While the lactic acid pH should be close enough not to compromise the effectiveness of ascorbic acid, you may experience redness, stinging, peeling, or irritation if you use both ascorbic acid and lactic acid at the same time.

Your best bet is to use ascorbic acid in the morning and lactic acid in the evening or use them on different days.

Retinol and retinoids increase cellular turnover and remove dead skin cells.

Since lactic acid also works to sweep away dead skin cells, you may overdo it, causing irritation and redness if you use both simultaneously.

Additionally, the pH of retinol is higher than that of lactic acid, so using them together may render both much less effective.

At home, Darden recommends using Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads, which use a combination of acidic ingredients meant to target uneven tone and texture, fine lines and wrinkles, and enlarged pores through cell turnover.

Skinbetter Alpharet® Exfoliating Peel Pads $110.00

Although MacGregor says, “No at-home peel products will work for acne scars,” she recommends using “Skinbetter Alpharet peel pads one to two times weekly for blackheads, pigment, smooth texture, and glow.”

Topix Glycolix Elite Treatment Pads 20% (60 count) $32.00

MacGregor is also a fan of these peel pads, which happen to come in a variety of strengths. They promise to address skin concerns like large pores, acne, blackheads, and whiteheads by gently exfoliating and moisturizing.

Editor’s note: If you’re in between chemical peels and you aren’t gearing up for one or healing from one, retinol is a good idea for reducing acne scarring.  Darden says, “For reducing the appearance of acne scars and the chance of new scars from forming, I recommend using Retinol Reform. It stimulates cell regeneration, which reduces the signs of aging, scarring, and acne.” This retinol is a Byrdie editor favorite for its effective yet gentle formula, which promises to brighten and even your complexion.

Side Effects

Don’t panic if you experience slight irritation or even some actual peeling. According to Doft, “All peels are different as they contain varying acid combinations, which penetrate the skin at a unique level. Superficial peels may leave you slightly dry that evening. Medium-strength peels will cause your skin to peel and blister two to three days after the peel is applied. During this time, your skin may feel dry and tight. It is necessary to keep your face moist using products like Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($5)”. It’s after you pass these stages that the real results appear. “If you are prone to cold sores, then medication can prevent an outbreak,” adds MacGregor. Just make sure to consult your doctor.

Aftercare

Post-peel, the new skin cells may be more susceptible to sunburn. MacGregor advises, “Generally speaking, [aftercare] depends on the peel type, strength, and formulation, but the common theme for most is: Sun protect the area with a hat or other physical cover and good zinc, titanium-based sunscreen—the sunscreen in your makeup is not sufficient—also, do not apply retinol or retinoids of any kind or benzoyl peroxide (The number of days you skip depends on the peel strength and how sensitive your skin is).”

If you decide to wash the first 24 to 48 hours after your peel, she recommends, “using a gentle cream or milky cleanser, not a foam-based product. Also, do not wax and avoid abrasives or physical scrubbing modalities (Think: loofah mitts or rough paste cleansers) and other irritating ingredients. Instead, stick to a gentle cleanser, physical sunscreen, and hydrate well with a bland, plumping, soothing moisturizer like Skinmedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream ($72) or Cerave Moisturizing Cream ($15). Some mild active topicals may be allowed the day after, but these should be tested on compromised or lasered skin before considering. Examples would include Skinbetter Alto Defense Serum ($160) and Skinceuticals C E Ferulic ($169)”. 

MacGregor notes, “Intense peeling may call for ointments until the outer layer of cells recovers (epithelialization) and has a whole other list of post-care requirements.” Again, it’s best to reach out to your doctor.

Lactic acid is a highly effective skincare product that gently exfoliates the outer layer of the skin, resulting in a brighter, smoother complexion. It may also help reduce acne by keeping pores clear and preventing pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads from forming. Additionally, lactic acid can help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, especially for aging skin.

Research shows that a 5% lactic acid formula applied twice a day improves skin thickness and firmness, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. However, a higher concentration of 12% may result in more visible benefits but may make users more prone to irritation, particularly for sensitive complexions.

Lactic acid is often used in body lotions to treat keratosis pilaris, or “chicken bumps,” which appear on the backs of arms or legs. However, regular application is necessary for best results.

Lactic acid is gentler and more hydrating than other AHAs, making it suitable even for sensitive skin. However, if the ingredient makes you red and irritated, consider using a product with a lower percentage of lactic acid or skipping it entirely.

Sunscreen should be applied before going outdoors, as all AHAs can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. If you are pregnant, lactic acid is a safe option, and your dermatologist and OB/GYN may suggest skipping popular anti-aging ingredients like retinoids.

Conclusion

Whether it’s a silky serum or aluxurious cream, there are endless anti-aging products vying for your attention. From retinol to vitamin C to peptides, the ingredients make all the difference and there are plenty to choose from. But recently, you may have noticed another one fighting for shelf space: lactic acid.

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), a class of chemicals that gently exfoliate the skin, which also includes glycolic, citric, tartaric, mandelic, and malic acids.

But while it’s popping up in more products, lactic acid is not exactly new and has a unique history. “The ingredient was first isolated from sour milk, and it is thought that Cleopatra took advantage of its beneficial properties on the skin by bathing in milk,” says S. Tyler Hollmig, M.D., director of dermatologic surgery at UT Dell Medical School and Ascension Seton in Austin.

Nowadays, lactic acid comes from a variety of sources, including vegan ones, that are typically synthetic and easier to formulate a complete product with. Compared to its ultra-potent cousin, glycolic acid, lactic acid is milder (thanks to its slightly larger molecule size) while delivering similar results, meaning it may be more suitable for those who have easily irritated skin, Dr. Hollmig says. Intrigued? Read on to find out what lactic acid can do for your skin.

While in-clinic chemical peels can work to fade the appearance of acne scarring over time, at-home treatments offer other benefits for skin, whether it’s acne-prone or not. Chemical peels vary in strength and it’s best to consult your doctor when deciding which treatment would work best for you—that can even mean deciding to flaunt your scars and forgo peels altogether.