Table of Contents
- What Is Lactic Acid.
- 1. Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment – Best Overall.
- 2. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% – Best Budget.
- 3. Paula’s Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA – Best All-In-One.
- 4. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% – Best For New Acid Users.
- 5. Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum – Best Splurge.
- 6. Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum – Best For Dry Skin.
- Possible Questions & Answers.
Lactic acid isn’t only found in peels, lotion, creams and cleansers, they are also found in serums too. So, if you want to enjoy the direct benefits of this milk-derivative acid in a serum-formulation then you should get hold of lactic acid serum. And this content contains the best lactic acid serums on the market.
What Is Lactic Acid.
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). It’s mostly known to be derived from fermented milk (and other dairy products like kefir and yogurt). Lactic acid is found in pickled vegetables, sourdough bread, beer, wine, sauerkraut, kimchi, and fermented soy foods like soy sauce and miso. It’s responsible for their tangy flavor. [1]
Amongst all the AHAs lactic acid is more gentle and mild to the skin, (aside for mandelic acid, which is considered to be the mildest AHA). Lactic acid is mild on the skin due to its large-structural size, which makes it a very suitable acid for sensitive skin and new acid-users. It offers mild exfoliation and anti-aging benefits to the skin.
It helps normalize skin-surface irregularities, as it gently sloughs-off dead skin cells, reduces enlarged-pore appearance, treats hyperpigmentation, age spots, and other factors that contribute to a dull and uneven complexion.
Lactic acid also acts an a humectant (especially on low concentration) as it pulls moisture from the atmosphere to hydrate the skin-surface, keeping the skin moisturized and feeling less dry. Consider lactic acid a hydrating-chemical-exfoliator. Therefore, if you’re on a quest to know the best lactic acid serums on the market, then below you have them.
1. Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment – Best Overall.
Combines lactic acid with licorice extract not only to smoothen fine lines and wrinkles but also balance uneven skin tones — and address issues of discoloration, while lemongrass helps improve circulation and defend against environmental toxins and aloe vera extract soothes and hydrates the skin.
Pros
- Light-weight formula (non-greasy).
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
- Contains no harmful substances.
Cons
- None.
2. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% – Best Budget.
From a reputable and well recognized brand — The Ordinary. It pairs 10% lactic acid to address skin texture irregularities, smoothen wrinkles, fine lines and improve skin luminosity, all these without drying out or irritating the skin, all thanks to hyaluronic acid which helps hydrates the skin and tasmanian pepperberry which soothes the skin thereby reduce irritation associated with acid-use by curtailing redness, tightness and stings. Read full review here.
Pros
- Light-weight formula (non-greasy).
- Doesn’t contain pore-clogging ingredients.
- Contains tasmanian pepperberry to suit irritation.
- Contains no skin-toxic ingredients.
Cons
- None.
3. Paula’s Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA – Best All-In-One.
If you rather want a powerhouse of AHAs, then give this formula a shot. A blend of alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, malic, and tartaric acids) at 10% concentration to efficiently slough-off dead skin cells, tackle texturized skin, retrain skin aging-signs and treat acne. This formula is enriched with antioxidant-ingredients (chamomile, grape seed extract and green tea) to protect against further environmental damage. All these potentials for your skin without drying it out, all thanks to peptides and ceramides which helps makes skin naturally resilient and allantoin, oat extract and licorice which helps soothe the skin after treatment therefore curtailing irritations associated with acid use.
Pros
- Combines 4 AHAs.
- Light-weight formula (non-greasy).
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).
- Contains no skin-harmful ingredients.
Cons
- None.
4. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% – Best For New Acid Users.
Although lactic acid is suitable for individuals with sensitive skin, but a higher concentration can be too intense for some people, especially individuals new to acids or with super-sensitive skin. Therefore, starting from a much lower concentration is advised. The Ordinary brand has made a provision for that, — a 5% lactic acid serum for new acid users to start off with until their skin build tolerance to lactic acid before moving to higher concentrations (if necessary).
Pros
- Suitable for new acid-users (beginners).
Light-weight formula (non-greasy). - Doesn’t contain pore-clogging ingredients.
- Contains tasmanian pepperberry to suit irritation.
- Contains no skin-toxic ingredients.
Cons
- None.
5. Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum – Best Splurge.
One of the best AHA serums on the market. This splurge-worthy serum merges AHA and BHA together to give your skin a refined look, smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, exfoliate and brighten the skin, giving you that dazzling glow you’ve always craved for. All thanks to vitamin C — a potent vitamin that not only helps neutralizes free radicals but also suppress melanin production for a brighter-looking complexion.
Pros
- Contains vitamin C.
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
- Leaves no greasy residue.
- Contains no harmful substances.
Cons
- None.
6. Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum – Best For Dry Skin.
If you’re new to squalane, then know that squalane is a lipid fat, that is naturally produced by the oil glands in our skin to hydrate and maintain the barrier of our skin. Squalane oil mimicks our natural skin oil, which means when it’s applied on the skin, the skin recognizes it and takes it as its own, our skin understands and compliments it, making squalane oil non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). As an emollient-rich oil, squalane deeply hydrates the skin. The combination of squalane and lactic acid makes this pick very recommended if you’ve got dry skin.
Pros
- Contains squalane for hydration.
- Non-sticky and non-greasy formula.
- Contains no pore-clogging ingredients.
- Contains no skin-toxic substances.
Cons
- None.
Possible Questions & Answers.
Q: Who should use lactic acid?
A: Any one struggling with uneven, textured skin (texture irregularities) wrinkles and fine lines.
Q: Can pregnant or nursing mothers use lactic acid?
A: Lactic acid, glycolic acid and other alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and will help keep the skin smooth, hydrated, refine your pores and treats pregnancy-induced acne. This research study authenticates the fact .
Q: Is lactic acid suitable for all skin types?
A: Lactic acid is suitable for use on all skin types, but it’s especially effective on textured, blemish prone and uneven skin as it helps to prevent pore blockages by exfoliating the skin, brightens the skin and Improves overall skin texture.
Q: Does lactic acid has any side effects?
A: Irrespective of how mild lactic acid can be to the skin, it can still cause irritations when not used correctly and also increases your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
When used too much, lactic acid can do more harm than good, which can lead to inflammation or worse rashes and chemical burns.
Always follow the product guidelines or instructions rendered by the brand, and also don’t forget to apply sunscreen to protect your delicate skin from the UV rays of the sun.
UP NEXT: These Are The Best Glycolic Acid Serums For Texture Irregularities.
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