What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAcetamidoethoxyethanol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPhloretin
Antioxidant
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Water, Acetamidoethoxyethanol, Propanediol, Betaine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phloretin, Silybum Marianum Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Panthenol, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Lactic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Pyrus Malus Juice
Skin ConditioningMalus Domestica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Juice
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera
MaskingHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Oil
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Achillea Millefolium Extract
CleansingTrifolium Pratense Flower Extract
AstringentEchinacea Purpurea Root Extract
MoisturisingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialGlycerin
Humectant
Heptyl Glucoside
SurfactantLauryl Glucoside
CleansingCoco-Betaine
Cleansing
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLycium Barbarum Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Prunus Persica Fruit Water
Masking
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Ribose
HumectantStyrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Citrus Limon Peel
MaskingMalpighia Glabra Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningEmblica Officinalis Fruit
Skin ConditioningAdansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Tapioca Starch
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Pyrus Malus Juice, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Vitis Vinifera, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Juice, Calendula Officinalis Flower Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Heptyl Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Coco-Betaine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Garcinia Mangostana Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum Callus Culture Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Prunus Persica Fruit Water, Isopentyldiol, Ribose, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Extract, Emblica Officinalis Fruit, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Cocos Nucifera Water, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Tapioca Starch, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic Acid
