What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Bicarbonate
Abrasive
Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
Cleansing
Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingMalic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Cleansing
Charcoal Powder
Abrasive
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Silica
Abrasive
Magnesium Oxide
AbsorbentOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Perfuming
Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract
Skin ConditioningCaesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Salvia Officinalis Oil
Masking
Subtilisin
Skin ConditioningLipase
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Oryza Sativa Starch
AbsorbentSodium Chloride
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater
Skin ConditioningCoconut Acid
Cleansing
Calcium Lactate
AstringentCapryloyl Glycine
CleansingUndecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingCetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Malic Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Charcoal Powder, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Maltodextrin, Silica, Magnesium Oxide, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sapindus Trifoliatus Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf, Kappaphycus Alvarezii Extract, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Salvia Officinalis Oil, Subtilisin, Lipase, Papain, Lactic Acid, Oryza Sativa Starch, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Xanthan Gum, Water, Coconut Acid, Calcium Lactate, Capryloyl Glycine, Undecylenoyl Glycine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantEDTA
Tetrasodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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 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
