According to Spate, lactic acid has seen a surge in interest recently. The super-powered ingredient is 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 over 87 million views on TikTok with #lacticacid, there’s been a lot of debate online about which lactic acid serums are the best. We’re here to set the record straight.
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.
Beautycounter All Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner ($68)
While lactic acid is certainly a star ingredient in this supercharged toner, its notable co-stars include niacinamide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, kombucha and phytic acid. Together this all-star team brightens, refines pores, resurfaces and purifies.
The INKEY List Lactic Acid ($13)
We love The INKEY List for their straightforward, effective products at affordable prices. This gentle exfoliator helps skin appear brighter and more even while adding moisture.
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.
Boots Ingredients Lactic Acid Face Serum ($9)
Boots is a beloved London-based drugstore, which, lucky for us, recently became available at Target stateside. This affordable serum employs lactic acid to even tone and brighten and smooth skin.
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.
Shani Darden Lactic Acid Serum ($88)
Facialist to the stars Shani Darden formulated a lactic acid serum that transforms skin overnight. The serum brightens and decongests skin to promote a smoother, more radiant glow.
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.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA ($9)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum ($102)
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.
Beekman 1802 Smooth Booster Willow Bark Exfoliating Serum ($28)
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.
Typology Gentle Resurfacing Serum with 10% Lactic Acid + Acerola Extract ($36)
French-based brand Typology put out a lactic acid serum that visibly helps clear skin, refine pores and promote glow. Meanwhile, acerola extract, high in vitamin C, protects against free radical damage and boosts collagen to combat signs of aging.
