Lactic acid products are an effective and affordable way to keep your skin in tip-top shape and maintain the results of professional treatments like chemical peels and microneedling.
But with so many lactic acid products on the market, which one is right for you? 🤔
In this post, I'll discuss how to buy a lactic acid product and my top recommendations.
Let's get started!
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What Are The Best Lactic Acid Products?
Here are my top recommendations for the perfect lactic acid routine:
- Best Lactic Acid Cleanser: Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
- Best Lactic Acid Toner: REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
- Best Lactic Acid Serum: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
- Best Lactic Acid Lotion: AmLactin Rapid Relief Restoring Lotion + Ceramides
- Best Lactic Acid Peel: Perfect Image Lactic 50% Gel Peel
- Best Lactic Acid Mask: Glytone Rejuvenating Mask (3.0 PFAV Glycolic Acid)
- Best Lactic Acid Body Wash: Platinum Skin Care Glycolic & Lactic Body Wash
Meanwhile, biodegradable jojoba beads physically exfoliate to polish away dull, dry skin.
(don't worry, it's nowhere near as abrasive as your typical drugstore face scrub)
Finally, although it's not mentioned on the package, Murad also included a vitamin C derivative (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) and licorice root extract (Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate), both of which provide skin brightening benefits by inhibiting your skin's melanin production.
However, this is definitely not as effective in a cleanser format compared to a vitamin C serum, so think of it as a bonus freebie in this otherwise pretty simple formulation.
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My Verdict: If you're in the market for a new cleanser, Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser might have you changing your entire skincare routine (spoiler: it's that good!).
All Ren Clean Skincare products are cruelty-free and the brand is committed to sustainability with a pledge to Zero Waste packaging by the end of 2021.
In fact, Daily AHA Tonic's plastic bottle now use 100% post-consumer recycled material. 👍
My Verdict: Get ready to glow with Ren Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic featuring lactic acid, willow bark extract, azelaic acid precursors, and citric fruit acids to promote a significantly brighter, clearer, and smoother complexion, every single day!
For a more affordable option (without the botanical extracts), The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% is a pretty good Sunday Riley dupe and a bestselling lactic acid serum in its own right.
(although, on a personal note, I didn't see any significant results when I used it a few years ago)
My Verdict: Give your skin all the brightness, clarity, and smoothness that it deserves with the bestselling Sunday Riley Good Genes featuring multi-tasking lactic acid, brightening licorice, refreshing lemongrass, soothing arnica flower, and hydrating prickly pear extract.
Customers reported fewer bumps, reduced dryness and irritation, and more hydrated skin. However, some users said the lotion felt “tacky” and “sticky”, which can make it less comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
My Verdict: AmLactin is my #1 pick for a lactic acid lotion that helps with rough & bumpy skin, keratosis pilaris, and eczema.
Finally, a blend of botanical extracts (green tea, cucumber, chamomile, comfrey) soothes skin and reduces redness for a more comfortable peel experience.
As with any chemical peel, make sure to follow all pre-peel and post-peel instructions, including pretreatment with a melanin inhibitor like Meladerm to help darker skin types avoid PIH.
For best results, cleanse your skin with Hydro-Glo Skin Brightening Cleanser, apply the gel peel with Premium Peel Application Pads, and follow-up with Hydra-Repair Super Moisturizer. 😉
My Verdict: I don't always use a lactic acid peel, but when I do, I prefer Perfect Image because it's a high-quality chemical peel with bonus brightening boosters at a reasonable price.
Meanwhile, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) helps fade dark spots and brighten your complexion while kaolin and bentonite clays draw out impurities and detoxify your skin.
Finally, soluble collagen accelerates the recovery process to build smoother and firmer skin while glycerin helps keep your skin hydrated.
My Verdict: Keep your skin looking younger and smoother with Glytone Rejuvenating Mask featuring 3.0 PFAV glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin C, purifying clays, collagen, and glycerin.
You can use this luxurious glycolic body wash for all body concerns, including keratosis pilaris, rough skin texture, sagging skin, dry knees and elbows, cracked heels, and more!
My Verdict: Clear up your body blemishes with Platinum Skin Care Glycolic & Lactic Body Wash, featuring 15% glycolic and lactic acids, vitamins, and fruit fragrance, at only $28 for 16 oz.