Beauty Ingredients Dictionary: Lactic Acid, A Gentle Exfoliator That Works Wonders Even On Sensitive Skin

The thought of applying spoiled milk all over the face just for the sake of attaining the skin of your dreams can seem a bit too much. However historically the usage of milk for beauty purposes has been traced back to the Cleopatra era. Particularly, she was famously known for her soft and smooth skin which is largely due to her habit of bathing in milk. Unknowingly the main ingredient that has been transforming her skin is actually lactic acid. Luckily you can certainly ditch the sour milk as the beauty industry has incorporated lactic acid into their formulation. As part of the alpha hydroxy acids, using lactic acid for skincare has undeniably delivered astounding results. But let’s take a minute and dive into this ultimate guide before you decide to hop onto the bandwagon.

Brief Information

What is the main benefit?

It is a gentle exfoliator that is known to reverse the signs of ageing and ward off blemishes

Who should use it?

It is ideal for those who suffer from acne-prone skin type, especially if you want to prevent blemishes from recurring

How to use it?

Users can pair it with other hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid but avoid using it together with retinol, AHAs and benzoyl peroxide. 

What is Lactic Acid Anyway?

Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist is a first-ever person that managed to isolate the components in sour milk before Boehringer Ingelheim discovered how to produce lactic acid on a large scale. As you might have known, lactic acid is naturally found in dairy products, including milk and yoghurt. The majority of the lactic acid-infused in beauty products are usually synthetic as they are produced in the laboratory. 

Lactic acid which is categorised as alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) features gentle exfoliation properties that can smooth out rough skin texture and tackle different types of skin issues. Thereby it is highly rated by the beauty industry as it can revive dull skin, revealing a healthy glowy complexion. 

The Benefits of Lactic Acid

Touted as amongst the top ingredients of alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), lactic acid is known to deliver amazing benefits that can elevate it from all sorts of issues. Honestly, there’s a reason why Cleopatra is known for her youthful looks. Perhaps, it is the secret to eternal youth after all. Amongst the benefits that this acid-based ingredient delivers include:

• Slough off dead skin cells
• Accelerate skin cellular turnover
• Fights off bacteria
• Minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Prevent acne
• Retain hydration level

Additionally, lactic acid is often included as an ingredient for a topical treatment to treat sensitive skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Hence it is suitable for those with sensitive skin types as it is more gentle than other acid-based ingredients. 

Are There Any Side Effects of Using Lactic Acid?

Although lactic acid has garnered a cult favourite status, it is still acid. Therefore, you should use it with caution as it is associated with several side effects including skin sensitivity, irritation, peeling, redness and even itchiness. For those with super sensitive skin, it is recommended to do a patch test before incorporating any beauty products with lactic acid. If it is your first time using this highly loved ingredient, make sure that you avoid using it altogether with other AHAs, retinol and benzoyl peroxide. It is recommended that you use such products with a three days interval gap after consistently using it for three nights in a row. During the day off, you can focus on nourishing your skin with hydrating ingredients to balance it out. 

The List of Beauty Products that are Formulated with Lactic Acid 

SW1 Pure Gold Aquashine Refreshing Gold Essence

SW1 Pure Gold Aquashine Refreshing Gold Essence is packed with skin-loving ingredients like 24K gold extracts, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, lactic acid and glycolic acid. These ingredients work collectively to enhance skin cellular renewal, ensuring a radiant-looking complexion. Aside from minimising the pores, it helps to smooth out rough skin texture. 

Why we love it:

• Ultra lightweight texture
• Improves skin elasticity
• Deeply hydrates the skin

Price: $96.30

SkinGO! Gentle Scrub

If you’re looking for the best skincare products with lactic acid, SkinGO! Gentle Scrub should be on top of your list. Powered by AHAs and BHAs, it delivers purifying properties that help to gently slough off dead skin cells and improve the overall complexion. Thanks to the jojoba beads, it is super gentle to the skin and does not cause any irritation. 

Why we love it:

• Ideal for all skin types
• Gentle exfoliator
• Ensures skin radiance

Price: $29.00

Serene SkinLab Clear Spot Acne Treatment Gel 

Banish acne for good with the highly-rated Serene SkinLab Clear Spot Acne Treatment Gel. This spot treatment is enhanced with camphor, salicylic acid and lactic acid which are known for their antibacterial properties. It works wonders to unclog the pores and regulate excess sebum as well as prevent acne from recurring. 

Why we love it:

• Suitable for all skin types
• Lightens scars
• Prevent acne from recurring 

Price: $22.00

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