{"title":"Lactic Acid","entity_type":"Ingredient","slug":"lactic-acid","canonical_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/lactic-acid","dates":{"date_modified":"2026-05-15","date_reviewed":"2026-05-15"},"mcp_eligible":true,"evidence_sources":[{"title":"DermNet — Alpha hydroxy acid facial treatments","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-alpha-hydroxy-acid-facial-treatments","original_source_url":"https://dermnetnz.org/topics/alpha-hydroxy-acid-facial-treatments","source_type":"other"},{"title":"Clinical and cosmeceutical uses of hydroxyacids","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/hydroxyacids-review-2009","original_source_url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19695482/","source_type":"peer_reviewed"},{"title":"AAD — How to safely exfoliate at home","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-safe-exfoliate-at-home","original_source_url":"https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home","source_type":"dermatology_reference"}],"product_fact_sources":[],"related_entities":[{"title":"DermNet — Alpha hydroxy acid facial treatments","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-alpha-hydroxy-acid-facial-treatments"},{"title":"Clinical and cosmeceutical uses of hydroxyacids","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/hydroxyacids-review-2009"},{"title":"AAD — How to safely exfoliate at home","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-safe-exfoliate-at-home"},{"title":"Dullness","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/dullness"},{"title":"The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/the-ordinary-glycolic-acid-7-exfoliating-toner"},{"title":"Over-exfoliation Irritation","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/side-effects/over-exfoliation-irritation"}],"body_sections":[{"heading":"Quick Summary","paragraphs":["Lactic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid used in exfoliating skincare for dull-looking texture, roughness, and surface glow. It is water-soluble and is often described as a gentler-feeling AHA option than glycolic acid, though it can still sting or irritate if overused."]},{"heading":"What It Is","paragraphs":["Lactic Acid is a named AHA, not just a generic exfoliant. It belongs with glycolic acid and mandelic acid in the alpha hydroxy acid family, but it deserves its own Ingredient page because consumers search for it separately and formulas position it differently."]},{"heading":"Mechanism","paragraphs":["In cosmetic skincare, Lactic Acid is used for surface exfoliation. It helps smooth the look of dull, rough surface texture so the skin can look softer and more radiant over time."]}],"side_effects":[{"title":"Over-exfoliation Irritation","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/side-effects/over-exfoliation-irritation"}]}