The main difference is that lactic is gentler, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. However, if you want to see more dramatic results, glycolic acid is the way to go. If you're new to chemical exfoliants, you should ease into using AHAs rather than overdoing it at first.
Lactic acid has a slight technical advantage over glycolic acid. Both l(+) and the d(-) forms are better moisturizers when fully or partially neutralized. Moreover the l(+) form is also less irritating than d(-) and glycolic acid.
It can fade out age spots and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and highly visible pores. Lactic acid is one of the mildest forms of AHA, so it's safe to use it on sensitive skin in the right concentrations. Lactic acid as an effective antimicrobial.
Those with dry or sensitive skin types may find glycolic acid is too irritating for their skin. In addition to these concerns, some people find they're more sensitive to sun when they use glycolic acid. Using a daily sunscreen can help reduce sun exposure risks.
Lactic acid is an AHA that is especially good for people with sensitive skin. “Lactic acid is the most hydrating of all the acids, so oftentimes it's used for sensitive skin that has kind of a more delicate skin barrier and therefore needs more hydration in the skin,” Rouleau said.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Why you should swap it out: AHAs such as glycolic, lactic, and malic acids are staples when it comes to toning, brightening, and reducing the appearance of pores. But Palm warns that these acids can cause irritation in more reactive skin and increase sun sensitivity in all skin types.
Because glycolic acid can work deeper into the skin layer, it's generally recommended for uneven skin texture. In which case, if you have acne scars and wrinkles, glycolic acid is for you. On the other hand, lactic acid is a gentler exfoliant that's suitable for dry to sensitive skin types.
But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together. AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Is Glycolic Acid okay for everyday use? Depending on the concentration, yes, you can use Glycolic Acid every day. If you're new to chemical exfoliants, you should work up to using it every day slowly rather than overdoing it at the beginning.
“While hyaluronic acid helps in hydrating your skin, glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells,” he explains. It's one of the safest alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) you'll find in skincare products—meaning, unlike hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid actually is an acid.
According to Abouchar, chemical peels containing lactic acid are beneficial for aiding in the control of pimples and acne, decreasing the appearance of pores and smoothing out rough skin. People have even report improved skin texture with acne scarring after using The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%.
Start by following the instructions on the packaging—many advise using lactic acid every other night, or even once or twice a week. Slight tingling or redness is normal, but if you experience anything more intense, talk to your derm. Layer on a moisturizer.
Doing so will help remove surface skin issues without damaging or drying out the skin. However, for individuals with oily or combination skin, salicylic acid is often the better choice.
Can You Use Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid Together? You can use lactic and glycolic acids together if they're found in the same formula. To boost your skincare routine and visibly improve your skin tone and texture, we recommend Clearly Corrective Accelerated Clarity Renewing Ampoules.
Lactic acid offers the same benefits as the stronger glycolic acid, but because it has a larger molecule size, it does not penetrate as deeply. People with sensitive skin will find lactic acid to be the gentler acid between two.
Can I use the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution along with other lactic acids? It is safe to use different type of acids on the skin however, try not to overwhelm the skin with too many acidic treatments. If you're using a low amount of lactic acid in your other products, the glycolic toner might be good as an addition.
Glycolic acid can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. It is essential to wear sunscreen outdoors when using glycolic acid. Do not use topical retinoids and glycolic acid at the same time. Avoid using other products that rapidly exfoliate the skin while using glycolic acid.
After using glycolic acid, apply a hydrating serum or gel (to hydrate your newly exfoliated skin) followed by a more occlusive moisturizer (to seal in all the moisture). Only use glycolic acid in your nighttime routine, and always apply sunscreen in the morning after glycolic acid treatment.
You can actually layer your glycolic acid and niacinamide together, at the same time of day—just 30 minutes apart. When layering products, start with the one that has the lowest pH first.
What Not to Mix with The Ordinary Lactic Acid Serums. Since lactic acid is potentially sensitizing, you should not use it at the same time as other direct acids like salicylic acid or azelaic acid, other AHAs like glycolic acid or mandelic acid, or other actives like benzoyl peroxide acne treatments.
It is advised to apply niacinamide after lactic acid. This ensures the acid can work at exfoliating whilst niacinamide restores hydration back into the skin barrier. This is a result of each ingredient containing different pH levels.
Can you use lactic acid and hyaluronic acid together? Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that every, and I mean every single skin type can use.
AHAs that act as exfoliants, they also work to lighten uneven pigmentation and smooth out skin texture. Lactic acid is the best researched AHA after glycolic acid, and is notable for being gentler, more hydrating, and more effective at treating sun damaged skin.