Discover Why Lactic Acid is Good for Your Skin
You have probably heard that Cleopatra bathed in milk. She may not have understood the science as to why the milk had such a desirable effect on her skin, but she would certainly have enjoyed the results.
Milk contains the carbohydrate lactose and this is the active ingredient that makes all the difference. Lactose is also found in various fruits and vegetables. Lactic acid is derived from lactose and is used in many beauty and skincare products.
Lactic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid, or AHA. AHAs have a wide range of skin benefits but lactic acids outtrump others because it is hydrating and exfoliating.
Lactic acid is a fantastic addition to any skincare routine. Why? Let’s find out.
How Does Lactic Acid Work?
When lactic acid is added to other ingredients in a skincare treatment, it acts as a gentle exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.
When that happens, it reveals the smoother, healthier skin underneath, leaving your complexion more radiant and fresh. At the same time, regular exfoliation can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, helping you look younger.
Regular exfoliation also promotes collagen production, which keeps skin looking plump and firm, which wards off wrinkles and keeps skin looking young and fresh. It can also help even out the pigmentation in your skin so that you can lighten or erase age spots and other blemishes on the surface of your skin.
Lactic acid also has antimicrobial properties and can control inflammation. Because it’s also one of the gentlest forms of alpha hydroxy acid, it’s the ideal choice for treating acne-prone skin.
Using lactic acid as an exfoliant controls oil production on the skin, can fade acne scars, and minimize future breakouts. Because it’s an anti-inflammatory, lactic acid can also help ease the redness associated with acne breakouts. It can also reduce hyperpigmentation.
Lactic acid is also an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. Its hydrating properties can help smooth rough, dry patches on the body.
Where Can I Use Lactic Acid?
Many lactic acid skincare products are marketed for use on the face, but you can also use it elsewhere on the body. For example, you can use it on acne breakouts on the back or shoulders. If you have dryness all over your body, a lactic acid product can help hydrate all of your body parts. There are a wide range of lactic acid products for the face and body. You can see some of the best listed below.
Benefits of Lactic Acid
Many of the benefits of lactic acid are listed above. Let’s break them down into a list that’s easier to see.
- Ensures Anti-aging properties
- Prevents or treats inflammation
- Treats acne
- Hydrates dry, rough skin
- Exfoliates gently
- Reveals brighter skin
- Removes dead skin cells
- Boosts collagen production
- Evens pigmentation
- Promotes healthy skin
Considerations for Using Lactic Acid
The best way to get the most out of the lactic acid product you choose is to use it on a regular basis. However, do not be excessive in application because there are potential side effects from using too much. That includes increased sun sensitivity and skin irritation.
If you’re using topical retinoids, you likely don’t need to add lactic acid to your skincare routine.
When you first start to use lactic acid products, choose something that has a low concentration. Most products contain between 5 and 30 percent lactic acid. Starting small and gradually building it up enables you to watch for side effects and monitor the results.
Here are some of our favorite lactic acid products:
For the face:
- Poly-Vitamin Serum 15mL, an intensive, revitalizing serum that ensures the delivery of a powerful combination of essential vitamins, bio-nutrients, and age-defying antioxidants. This combination deeply hydrates, generating significant improvements in the appearance of skin tone, elasticity and overall integrity of the skin.
- Lift & Repair Instant Repulp Mask 50mL, , an anti-aging mask that provides an immediate lift effect while moisturizing and plumping the skin. This mask stimulates collagen production reducing wrinkles, redefining facial contours and improving skin's elasticity.
For the body:
- Repair Lotion 10% Urea 250mL, a moisturizing body lotion that promotes exfoliation of dry and scaly skin to leave the skin feeling smooth and supple with reduced itching. Skin is intensely hydrates and feels smooth and supple again.
- Body Hydrating Cream 295mL, a nourishing and hydrating body cream that relieves dryness and tones with gentle, naturally derived exfoliants for an immediate, glowing, hydrated skin.
- KP Duty Dermatologist Formulated Body Scrub 237mL, a body scrub that gently exfoliates the skin, rapidly lifts away dry, rough bumps and reveals healthier looking skin that looks and feels exceptionally smooth and glowing.
