Did you know that adding a lactic acid toner to your skincare routine is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking younger, smoother, and more vibrant?
That's because alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid draw out impurities, resurface skin texture, brighten skin tone, and even stimulate collagen production. (source: Soleymani et al., 2018)
Cleansing your face with a lactic acid toner also prepares your skin to better absorb subsequent treatments like a chemical peel, retinol serum, or face cream.
But with so many lactic acid toners on the market, which one is right for you? 🤔
Keep reading to find out!
RELATED ARTICLES:
What Is The Best Lactic Acid Toner?
Here are my top recommendations:
- Editor's Choice: REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
- Professional Quality: PCA Skin Nutrient Toner
- Best Ingredient List: HydroPeptide Pre-Treatment Toner
- Best Value for Money: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
- Best for Dark Spots: Ole Henriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner
- Best for A Gorgeous Glow: StriVectin Advanced Glow Tri-Phase Daily Glow Toner
- Best for Signs of Aging: Platinum Skin Care Lactic Anti-Aging Toner w/ SYN®-AKE
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!
However, it's pretty potent so if you have sensitive skin, I'd skip this one as it does include denatured alcohol with a strong pumpkin wine fragrance.
PCA Skin also added antioxidants like clove and ginger root to prevent free radical damage.
RELATED:
My Verdict: Dinner is served (for your skin, anyways) with refreshing pumpkin wine, lactic acid, aminoguanidine, and antioxidants, to keep your skin looking soft & supple for much longer.
Regardless of your primary skin concern, there's something in this formula for everyone and it's reasonably affordable as well.
My Verdict: For the absolute best ingredient list (seriously, check it out yourself), HydroPeptide wins first place with an extensive formula of lactic acid, orange stem cell extract, loads of peptides, additional AHAs, botanical extracts, vitamin C (MAP), and hyaluronic acid.
My Verdict: Tone and brighten your sensitive skin in less than a minute with First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, a convenient and affordable toning solution with AHAs, soothing plant extracts, and antioxidants.
On the other hand, Ole Henriksen tends to use more fragrance (it's listed near the top of the ingredient list) so if you find it bothersome, go with fragrance-free First Aid Beauty instead.
For a complete brightening experience, pair with Ole Henriksen Truth Serum or the latest Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum to give your dark spots a double dose of AHAs and vitamin C.
My Verdict: Dark spots, begone with ye! (*cue Shakespeare*) Let Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner restore your skin's natural brightness and clarity with AHAs, witch hazel, and soothing extracts.
Meanwhile, salicylic acid penetrates oily skin to flush out toxins and excess oils from clogged pores and licorice root extract brightens sun spots and corrects uneven skin tone.
My Verdict: Exfoliate, brighten, and hydrate with StriVectin 3-in-1 Tri-Phase Daily Glow Toner featuring patented NIA114, mandelic, lactic, and hyaluronic acid, and botanical extracts to reduce hyperpigmentation and promote naturally gorgeous and glowing skin.
Finally, organic extracts of green tea, chamomile, calendula, and arnica soothe inflammation and assist with your skin's natural recovery process.
For best results, use the matching Platinum Skin Care Lactic Anti-Aging Cleanser beforehand to cleanse, exfoliate, and prepare your skin with a luxuriously creamy face wash.
My Verdict: Boost your anti-aging skincare routine with clinically proven SYN®-AKE, lactic acid, and organic extracts, all available in Platinum Skin Care Lactic Anti-Aging Toner.