fbpx

Lactic Acid Serums Are Trending—These Are the Best to Try

Lactic Acid Serums Are Trending—These Are the Best to Try featured image
We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors.

For those with sensitive skin, it can be challenging to find an ingredient to successfully exfoliate without irritation. The solution? Lactic acid for skin. The super-powered ingredient has seen a surge in interest over the past year, and rightly so. It’s a one-stop shop—it brightens dark spots, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, refines pores, smoothes rough skin and helps control acne through exfoliation. With all the TikTok fame and new product launches, there’s been a lot of debate online about which lactic acid serums are worthwhile. We’re here to set the record straight. But first, a lesson on lactic acid for skin.

  • Anna Chacon, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
  • Hatice Yildirim is a cosmetic chemist
  • Shani Darden is a celebrity aesthetician

What does lactic acid do for skin?

“Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin by breaking down dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. It also helps hydrate the skin by attracting moisture from the environment and improving the skin’s natural moisturizing factors,” explains Miami dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD. Cosmetic chemist Hatice Yildirim notes that lactic acid can also help reduce wrinkles, fade dark spots and protect against oxidative stress.

When should you use lactic acid?

Lactic acid usage recommendations vary based on skin type. “Depending on tolerance, lactic acid can be used from a couple of times a week to up to two times daily,” says Yildirim. It can be used in daytime or nighttime skin-care routines, although celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden recommends using it in the evening after cleansing and before moisturizer.

How should you use lactic acid for skin?

Beginners should start slow and monitor skin for dryness and irritation, says Dr. Chacon. As tolerance builds, the frequency of application can be increased as needed. “It’s essential to follow the instructions on the product and to patch test before use to avoid any negative reactions,” says Dr. Chacon. Yildirim notes that it’s also crucial to use sunscreen as AHAs can make the skin more sensitive to the sun.

Lactic acid should be used alone and not combined with other AHAs or retinoids on the same night, notes Darden. “Using multiple products with chemical exfoliants is not recommended as it can compromise skin barrier function,” says Yildirim. Dr. Chacon urges users to follow the instructions on the product and to patch test before use to avoid any negative reactions.

The ingredient can used in a variety of ways,” says Yildirim. “There are many products on the market with this AHA that can be added to current routines, such as serums, exfoliating wipes, peels and toners. Directions may differ based on application type so make sure to follow the instructions on the products packaging.”

What skin types is lactic acid good for?

“Lactic acid is one of the gentler AHAs. I love it because it works well on virtually all skin types,” says Darden. It’s safe for most skin types since it’s on the milder side and could be a good starting point for those with sensitive skin looking to use a chemical exfoliant, says Yildirim. Although it should be suitable for sensitive skin, Dr. Chacon recommends those with extremely sensitive skin proceed with caution or start with a lower concentration and build up over time.

“Those with acne-prone skin may benefit from using this since it gently removes dead skin cells and helps keep pores clear,” says Yildirim. Dr. Chacon notes it’s also beneficial for dry, dull and aging skin and can help with wrinkles and age spots. Additionally, “since this AHA is a humectant, it can also help dry or dehydrated skin by drawing moisture to the epidermis,” adds Yildirim.

Lactic acid serum products we love

1 / 18

Olga Lorencin Skin Care Lactic Acid Hydrating Serum ($83)

Gentle yet fast absorbing, this serum will refresh and replenish your natural glow. While hydrating skin, it also refines pores and diminishes the appearance of fine lines. One reviewer calls it a “game changer,” and another says, “This thing is magic!”

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, phytic acid, mandelic acid, hyaluronic acid, palmitoyl tri-peptide 9, Chinese snow mushroom

BUY NOW – $83

olga-loren-lactic-acid-serum
2 / 18

Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm and Bright Serum ($85)

If you’re looking for a powerful brightening and firming duo, look no further than this antioxidant-packed serum. The vitamin C and lactic acid work together to enhance each other’s performance for noticeable improvements in elasticity, firmness, fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, uneven tone and dullness.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, ascorbic acid, mandelic acid, glycolic acid, licorice root extract, morus alba fruit extract

BUY ON SEPHORA – $85

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $85

3 / 18

INNBeauty Pore Refine ($38)

If your biggest battle is your pores, try this pore-refining cocktail of ingredients. It’s clinically proven to tighten pores and smooth rough texture, and it has some pretty impressive photo evidence to back it up.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycolic acid, willow bark, gluconolactone, rice starch, mushroom extract, peptides

BUY ON SEPHORA – $38

BUY ON INNBEAUTY – $38

innbeauty-pore-refine
4 / 18

Farmacy Honey Glow 17% Resurfacing Serum ($60)

The celeb-loved brand Farmacy launched this resurfacing serum this year to rave reviews. It’s meant to be used every other night for five nights, after which you’ll notice smoother texture, reduced pore visibility and smooth, glowing, hydrated skin.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, buckwheat honey, squalane, grape seed oil

BUY ON SEPHORA – $60

BUY ON FARMACY – $60

farmacy-serum
5 / 18

Toty Transforma AHA Serum ($79)

This serum is packed to the brim with eight superpowered skin-changing ingredients, including lactic acid and retinoids. With all these active ingredients, it’s no surprise that it’s clinically proven to visibly correct skin overnight and transform sun damage in 28 days.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, shikimic acid, niacinamide, retinoid, hyaluronic acid and bisabolol

BUY NOW – $79

toty-serum
6 / 18

Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurfacing Serum ($82)

After eight weeks of use, this serum had 100 percent of users agreeing their skin texture improved. Tone, radiance and bounce improvement were not far behind.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, signal peptides, amino acids, glycerin, camellia oil

BUY ON AMAZON – $55

BUY ON SEPHORA – $82

7 / 18

Glytone Lactic Superficial Retexturizing Serum ($70)

This formula promises to be gentle yet effective, with 10 percent lactic acid and plant extracts that aim to hydrate, brighten and even skin.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycerin, rosemary leaf oil, tea tree leaf oil

BUY ON AMAZON – $70

BUY ON DERMSTORE – $70

glytone-lactic-acid-serum
8 / 18

Naturium Vegan Lactic Acid Emulsion 5% ($25)

This nourishing emulsion is formulated with vegan lactic acid made through fermentation, aloe and bisabolol. It soothes while gently exfoliating skin and targeting dark spots to promote a brighter, glowing complexion.

Size: 1.7 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, sunflower seed oil, aloe, niacinamide, bisabolol

BUY NOW – $25

naturium-lactic-acid
9 / 18

Paula’s Choice Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA ($39)

This serum brings together a host of acids, including glycolic, lactic, malic and salicylic. The super-concentrated formula reveals firmer-looking, more clear skin.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, salicylic acid, peptides

BUY ON AMAZON – $39

BUY ON PAULA’S CHOICE – $39

paulas-choice-aha
10 / 18

Sunday Riley GOOD GENES All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment ($85)

As one of Sunday Riley’s most iconic products, this lactic acid treatment gets a lot of love from consumers, and rightfully so. The treatment leaves skin looking remarkably smoother, more radiant and plumper with less visible lines and wrinkles.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, salicylic acid, peptides

BUY ON SEPHORA – $85

BUY ON SUNDAY RILEY – $85

goodgenes
11 / 18

Shani Darden Lactic Acid Serum ($89)

Darden formulated a lactic acid serum that transforms the look of skin overnight. The serum brightens and decongests skin to promote a smoother, more radiant glow.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, gluconolactone, hyaluronic acid, green and white tea extract

BUY ON SEPHORA – $89

BUY ON VIOLET GREY – $89

Award Photo: Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum
Award Photo: Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum
12 / 18

Peach & Lily Power Cocktail Lactic Acid Repair Serum ($51)

This serum’s formula is unique, with 10 percent lactic acid and 12 active extracts, including Panax ginseng and red algae. Together the ingredients visibly address signs of aging by lifting, firming, smoothing lines and refining texture.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, algae extract, ginseng, hyaluronic acid, ceramide

BUY ON ULTA – $51

BUY ON PEACH & LILY – $51

peach-lily-lactic-acid
13 / 18

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA ($10)

The Ordinary is beloved by social media users for its efficacy and affordability. The brand’s lactic acid serum is suited to exfoliate dry skin to reveal brighter, smoother, more radiant skin.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Tasmannia lanceolata

BUY ON ULTA – $9

BUY ON THE ORDINARY – $10

the-ordinary-lactic-acid
14 / 18

Kat Burki C20 Velocity Serum ($165)

Celeb-beloved skin-care brand Kat Burki just released this serum packed with powerful ingredients. Not only does lactic acid work to smooth and refine skin, but vitamin C is also there to brighten skin, while MSM reduces inflammation and boosts absorption.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, vitamin C, rosehip seed oil, snow mushroom, niacinamide, arnica, lavender

BUY NOW – $165

kat-burki-lactic-acid
15 / 18

OSEA Seaglow Overnight Serum AHA Treatment ($68)

This glow-promoting product strengthens the moisture barrier and refines skin for a healthier, smoother complexion. The serum has rave reviews, with one person claiming she woke up with smoother, more radiant skin after one use. She compared the feeling to that of a snake after it sheds its skin.

Size: 1.2 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, seaweded, Shiunko oil, phytic acid

BUY ON CREDO BEAUTY – $68

BUY ON OSEA – $68

osea-lactic-acid
16 / 18

Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Serum ($65)

You’ll notice a dramatic improvement in skin texture and luminosity almost immediately when using this serum overnight. The vegan lactic acid gets to work ASAP, dissolving dead surface cells to reveal a whole new you.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, clover, squalane

BUY ON AMAZON – $65

BUY ON SEPHORA – $65

biossance-lactic-acid-serum
17 / 18

Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum ($105)

This serum is chock full of ingredients that help even complexion and refine skin. A combination of mandelic, lactic and salicylic acids alongside bakuchiol, eight brighteners and seven antioxidants brighten skin and combats discoloration.

Size: 1 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, bakuchiol, superoxide dismutase, peptides

BUY ON AMAZON – $105

BUY ON ALLIES – $105

allies-skin-lactic-acid-1
18 / 18

Beekman 1802 Smooth Booster Willow Bark Exfoliating Serum ($29) 

If your skin is more on the sensitive side, this is a good lactic acid serum to start with. Willow bark extract, caviar lime and lactic acid promote gentle resurfacing.

Size: 0.5 oz

Key ingredients: lactic acid, willow bark extract, caviar lime

BUY ON AMAZON – $29

BUY BEEKMAN 1802 – $29

beekman-1802-lactic-acid

Related Posts

Find a Doctor

Find a NewBeauty "Top Beauty Doctor" Near you

Give the Gift of Luxury

NewBeauty uses cookies for various reasons, including to analyze and improve its content and advertising. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for more about how we use this data. By continuing to use this site, you agree to these policies.