As the owner of your own private skincare label, it pays to stay on top of all the latest trends and fads in the world of skincare. Our Ingredient Spotlight series helps you do just that! In today’s article, we go over the ingredient lactic acid. This super effective ingredient has become one of the most common types of exfoliator and with its skin tone improving and texture enhancing properties, it’s a key ingredient you need to be aware of!
So let’s take a look at lactic acid, including where it comes from, what it can do for your skin and how to use it.
What is lactic acid?
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, which is a group of naturally-derived acids with beneficial skincare properties. Other acids in this group include salicylic acid and glycolic acid. As you can guess from its name, lactic acid is often derived from lactose found in everyday products such as milk. In the skincare world however, lactose is synthetically produced.
Lactic acid acts as an exfoliator or a peeling agent. It works to improve skin tone and texture by removing dead, dull skin cells. To be exact, the properties of lactic acid break down the bonds between these dead cells which allow for new skin to be revealed. Those are the basic benefits it provides, but what other lactic acid skin benefits are there?
Lactic acid benefits for your skin
#1 – Evens out skin complexion
If you’re suffering from uneven skin tones or sun damage, lactic acid can help improve your overall complexion. It does so by removing the top layer of skin which ultimately reveals new, brighter skin underneath, allowing you to enjoy a more radiant complexion.
#2 – Improves skin texture
In the same way that lactic improves complexion, it also improves the texture of your skin. By exfoliating and removing dead skin cells, lactic acid is able to reveal a new layer of skin underneath – one that is significantly smoother and glossier.
#3 – Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Lactic acid’s exfoliating properties work to remove old skin and reveal new skin underneath. When used in higher concentrations, lactic acid can actually help your new skin to become firmer and thicker. This helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, brightens dark age spots and smoothes out wrinkles, giving you a more youthful appearance.
#4 – Hydrates and moisturises skin
Lactic acid’s hydrating properties set it apart from other skin care acids. It allows your skin to be more moisturised and prevents your skin from feeling tight or dry after applying it.
#5 – Is more suitable for those with sensitive skin
Adding on the previous skin care benefit, lactic acid is much more gentle than other types of alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid. Because of lactic acid’s milder formula, lactic acid is more suitable for those with irritable or sensitive skin.
#6 – Helps treat acne and acne scars
Since lactic acid helps treat dark spots, it can also work it’s magic on acne scars. This reduces their overall appearance and contributes to a more smooth, even skin tone and complexion.
How can I incorporate lactic acid into my skincare range?
The benefits of lactic acid are too good to pass up. Not only does it provide effective skincare benefits, it’s gentleness allows it to be used by a wider audience. So how can you integrate it into your range of skincare products?
Lactic acid can be included into most cleansers, toners and exfoliators, even if it’s not the star ingredient. Alternatively, you can push the ingredient and its benefits into the spotlight by creating serums and essences which highlight it’s effectiveness. Either way, it’s important to know how to use lactic acid products so you can transfer that knowledge to your customers.
How do I use lactic acid? Are there any side effects?
Lactic acid can be used by everyone and is effective on all skin types. However, like all skincare ingredients and products, lactic acid should be slowly introduced into your routine. And despite it’s mild properties, lactic acid is still a chemical exfoliator, which means patch testing is a must! This is to make sure that it doesn’t cause excessive redness, stinging or irritation.
Similar to all other exfoliators, lactic acid should be applied sparingly. Over-exfoliation can destroy skin barriers and greatly irritate skin so we recommend doing a lactic acid peel only once every few days.
Lactic acid should also not be used in combination with other acids, exfoliants or retinols. You might think that double the acids means double the effectiveness, but that is not something you want!
Now is the time to include lactic acid into your skincare range!
With lactic acid’s growing popularity, now is the time to consider including it into your skincare range. It’s effectiveness in improving skin tones and textures, coupled with its gentle and mild properties, makes for an ingredient that will be a mainstay in skincare for a long time.
Don’t know where to start with creating your own line of lactic acid skincare products? Contact our team at H&H Australia! At H&H we make it our mission to help you create a skincare label that you’re proud of. We help you in all aspects – from formulation to packaging. So if you’re looking to create your own private skincare label range, drop us a line now!
