Skin Benefits

Acne is a skin condition that many people struggle with. It can happen to anyone and it is not something that you can just get rid of overnight. It is caused by excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells clogging the pores on the skin.

It is important to remember that there is no one way to treat acne because everyone’s body reacts differently to different products and routines. What works for one person might not work for another person with a different type of acne or skin type.

There are many products that you can use to help combat acne such as cleansers, moisturizers and treatments.

There are also many different types of treatments available to help reduce the appearance of acne including laser therapy, chemical peels and more.

What is lactic acid?

Lactic acid is a natural chemical found in the human body and in sour milk.

Lactic acid is one of the most popular ingredients in skin care products. It’s an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions like acne and wrinkles.


Lactic acid works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, which helps to prevent clogged pores and reduce dryness on the surface of the skin. It can also be used to help treat hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Lactic Acid helps with many different problems that we face with our skin like acne, hyperpigmentation or even wrinkles.

Benefits of lactic acid for acne-prone skin

Lactic acid has been shown to have great effects on the skin because it helps remove dead skin cells and stimulate new cell growth.

1. Helps control excess sebum production. By exfoliating the outermost layer of the skin and keeping the pores clean and clear.
2. Fights acne. Dead skin cells often clog pores and cause breakouts. Lactic acid exfoliates the skin and has the ability to break apart dead skin cells, opening any clogged pores.
3. Fades acne scars. Due to its exfoliating nature, lactic acid helps lighten dark spots and fade acne scars by removing the dead skin cells off the surface.
4. Hydrates the skin. Lactic acid is one of the most hydrating AHA. It helps keep the skin moisturized and hydrated. This, in turn, speeds up the cell turnover process to produce new healthy skin.
5. Works as a mild exfoliator. Lactic acid is safe for sensitive acne-prone skin due to its mild exfoliating nature. Let’s talk science here for a little bit, since it has a large molecular weight, it makes it difficult for it to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, making it suitable for all skin types.
   
   

When and how should I apply lactic acid in my skincare routine?

Products containing lactic acid come in different concentrations. 

A higher concentration does not always mean better for your skin.

When using a product containing acids for the first time, you must test a small amount on a small part of your skin, to check if it irritates your skin.

After seeing if the product is suitable for your skin and does not irritate it, you can start introducing it slowly (once or twice a week) into your skincare routine with low concentrations, increasing it to higher concentrations and building up to daily use if needed.

The layering of skincare products in a routine is the most important thing. Applying a product in the wrong order will not do your skin any good.

As a golden rule, apply products from thinnest to thickest, and water-based products before oil-based products.

Lactic acid is an exfoliating acid that can cause sun sensitivity, so it is recommended to apply it at night, and since it is technically a serum, it must be added to your skincare routine after toning your skin.

What to mix (and not to mix) with lactic acid

Since this acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, it is best not to mix it with other acids or retinol, because you will end up with irritated skin instead of mild exfoliation. 

With glycolic acid (yes, but costly and not significantly beneficial)

Both of these acids will have the same benefit on the skin using different concentrations and intensities. They can be used if they were in the same product, however, applying them both using two separate products will not benefit your skin significantly and will only cost you more money.

With vitamin C (nope)

These two ingredients should never be mixed together, since vitamin C is also acid, using them in one skincare routine will cause an imbalance in the skin’s pH levels.

With hyaluronic acid (YESSS PLEASE)

Definitely! Hyaluronic acid is a miracle hydrating ingredient that is perfect for every skin type. Using these two ingredients together will prep the way for your skin to the perfect glow.

Lactic acid will clear out dead skin cells, making way for hyaluronic acid to hydrate the lower layers of the skin.