What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantMagnesium Chloride
Malic Acid
Buffering
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cochlearia Armoracia Root Extract
MaskingQuillaja Saponaria Bark Extract
CleansingArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Phytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Serine
Masking
Sulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Vinegar
Sodium Salicylate
Preservative
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tea-Lactate
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Bisulfite
Antioxidant
Water, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Magnesium Chloride, Malic Acid, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Cochlearia Armoracia Root Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Lactate, Allantoin, Serine, Sulfur, Vinegar, Sodium Salicylate, Sorbitol, Tea-Lactate, Urea, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bisulfite
Reviews
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 AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
