What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Elastin
EmollientAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Centifolia Flower Extract
Astringent
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Gluconic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Retinyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citral, Limonene, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol
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 âglueâ 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 donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre 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 skinâs 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 productâs 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
