Lactic Acid Lotion
Lactic acid has been used in skincare products for centuries. In fact, Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to keep herself looking youthful and to improve the appearance of her skin.
Today, you can find lactic acid in a wide range of skincare products such as lactic lotion, lactic acid body cream, lactic acid hand cream and lactic acid ointment.
If you are keen to find out more about this high-performing ingredient and how you can incorporate it into your skincare regime, then the below guide is exactly what you need.
Read on to discover:
- What is lactic acid?
- How is lactic acid used in skincare?
- What are the benefits of using a lactic acid lotion?
- What areas of the body can lactic acid lotion be used on?
- How to choose a lactic acid lotion
- What is the best lactic acid lotion for dry skin?
- Can lactic acid lotion be used on the feet?
- How to use lactic acid lotion
- Are there any side effects to using lactic acid lotion?
- What other lactic acid skincare products are available?
- Lactic acid lotion FAQs
What is lactic acid?
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, commonly referred to as an AHA, which is found in many over-the-counter skincare products and professional skincare treatments.
Lactic acid naturally occurs in dairy products, and it is what gives yogurt and soured milk its tangy taste. As mentioned briefly above, lactic acid has been used to improve the appearance and texture of the skin for many years and is today one of the most popular and commonly used alpha hydroxy acids.
How is lactic acid used in skincare?
In skincare products, lactic acid is predominantly used to remove dead skin cells, lighten dark spots and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
There are many different types of skincare products that contain lactic acid including lactic acid body lotion, lactic acid cream, lactic acid moisturiser for the face and lactic acid lotion for the feet.
What are the benefits of using a lactic acid cream for skin?
There are many reasons why you should add a lactic acid lotion to your daily skincare routine. The most notable benefits of lactic acid lotion are:
To exfoliate the skin
Lactic acid lotion can help to remove old and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and make way for new ones. This can help to prevent skin problems such as dry skin.
To stimulate new skin cell growth
As well as removing old skin cells, lactic acid also has the ability to speed up the cell turnover process and stimulate new skin cell renewal, both of which can improve the appearance of your skin.
To improve skin texture
Lactic acid lotion can help to improve your skin’s overall skin texture, resulting in brighter and younger-looking skin – that’s the benefit of a lactic acid lotion before and after.
To hydrate the skin
Lactic acid has the unique ability to improve the way the skin moisturises itself. Other AHAs, such as glycolic acid and mandelic acid, are not able to do this.
To improve ageing skin
When used regularly, a lactic acid based moisturiser can help to improve the signs of ageing by stimulating the renewal of collagen. It is also highly effective at fading sunspots and age spots.
To reduce acne
As a natural exfoliator, lactic acid lotion can help to keep your pores clear and reduce breakouts. It can help to prevent spots, blackheads and whiteheads from developing on the skin.
To treat keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris, more commonly referred to as “chicken skin”, are those rough bumps that appear on your arms, legs and cheeks. An over-the-counter lotion that contains lactic acid or salicylic acid can help to loosen and remove dead skin cells and help improve your skin’s overall texture.
What areas of the body can lactic acid lotion be used on?
When it comes to lactic acid cream uses, lactic acid lotion can be used all over the body, including the arms, legs, hands and feet. You can also find lactic acid skincare products that are designed for use on the face such, as lactic acid cleansers, lactic acid face cream and lactic acid serums.
You should not use lactic acid lotion or any other skincare product that contains lactic acid around your eyes, as this can cause irritation.
How to choose a lactic acid lotion?
Lactic acid lotion is available in different concentrations depending on what you are trying to achieve and which area of the body you are intending to apply the lotion to.
While you may be tempted to go for the highest concentration you can find in order to get the best results, this is not a good idea. If you have not used a lactic acid lotion before, then a high concentration may irritate your skin and do more harm than good.
Ideally, beginners to lactic acid lotion should opt for a low-strength lactic acid lotion of between 5-10%. This will enable you to see how your skin reacts to this ingredient and if you get the desired results.
If you want to increase the strength of lactic acid lotion that you use, make sure that you do this slowly to avoid irritation. It is always better to go for a concentration that is too low than one that is too high.
What is the best lactic acid cream for dry skin?
Lactic acid lotion is ideal for dry skin, as it helps to trap moisture and prevent water loss. It can also be used to exfoliate the skin by gently removing dead skin cells.
If you are looking for a urea and lactic acid moisturising cream and moisturisers with lactic acid, there are several lactic acid lotions that are known for improving the appearance of dry skin, including AmLactin Daily Moisturising Body Lotion and Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Yogurt Lotion.
Can lactic acid lotion be used on the feet?
Yes, lactic acid lotion can be used on the feet, particularly to treat dry skin. Foot creams that contain lactic acid can help to break down the bonds between the dead skin cells and the heathly ones. This results in dry skin falling off naturally and without hurting the skin.
For optimum results, look for a lotion with urea and lactic acid, such as CCS Foot Care Cream, as these can exfoliate and hydrate the skin on your feet simultaneously. This intensely hydrating foot cream is also good for treating dry skin on the feet caused by corns, calluses and foot fissures.
How to use lactic acid lotion
To use lactic acid lotion safely and effectively, follow the below tips:
- Apply lactic acid lotion at night not during the day
- Start with a low-strength lotion and gradually increase if needed
- Carry out a patch test on the inner part of your elbow before use
- Avoid using lactic acid lotion on the skin around the eyes
- Stop using lactic acid lotion if any irritation occurs
- Do not combine other AHAs with lactic acid lotion
- Do not use with any products that contain retinol
- Always wear sunscreen in the morning if you use lactic acid lotion the night before
Are there any side effects to using lactic acid lotion?
Lactic acid is the gentlest of all the AHAs, but as it is a strong skincare ingredient, there are a few possible side effects such as:
Sun sensitivity
Using a lactic acid lotion can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of the sun. as lactic acid helps to remove dead skin cells; this leaves your skin more susceptible to being damaged by UV rays.
If you are using a lactic acid lotion on a daily basis, make sure to also use a sunscreen or moisturiser with SPF and avoid the sun during the hottest parts of the day.
Skin irritation
Some people who use lactic acid lotion experience irritation of the skin. This can include stinging, burning, inflammation, peeling, itchy skin and dryness. If you notice any unwanted changes to your skin, then stop using lactic acid lotion immediately.
What other lactic acid skincare products are available?
As well as lactic acid lotion, there are several other types of lactic acid skincare products that you can try. These include:
Lactic acid cleansers
Lactic acid cleansers can be used in exactly the same way as your usual cleanser, although they should not be used around the delicate eye area. Lactic acid cleansers are a good option for people with sensitive skin types, as they are designed to be washed off.
Lactic acid creams
Lactic acid creams tend to be thicker than lactic acid lotions and are better used overnight rather than in the day due to the risk of sun damage.
You can also get creams that contain lactic acid for foot callus, foot corns and other foot problems that manifest themselves as hard, dry and thick skin. CCS Foot Care Cream is one of the leading lactic acid creams for feet and should be applied twice a day for best results.
Lactic acid peels and masks
If you are looking for a stronger lactic cream, then lactic acid peels and face masks are a good option. Designed to be used 1-3 times per week, these are most commonly used to exfoliate the skin and deliver a fresh complexion.
Frequently asked questions
What is lactic acid lotion used for?
Lactic acid lotion is most commonly used to hydrate and exfoliate the skin. It can also be used to prevent breakouts, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and to improve overall skin texture. Lactic acid lotion can be used all over the body, including the face, hands and feet.
What lotion has lactic acid?
There are lots of different lotions that contain lactic acid, including CeraVe SA Smoothing Moisturiser, Vaseline Intensive Care Body Lotion and Eurecin Urea Lotion. If you are looking for a foot lotion that has lactic acid, CCS Foot Care Cream is a highly effective dry skin treatment for feet.
Is lactic acid safe on skin?
Yes, lactic acid is safe to use on the skin. However, it does make the skin more susceptible to sun damage so it should be applied at night, and you should wear a sunscreen the day after use. To avoid irritation to the skin when using lactic acid for the first time, opt for a low-strength lactic acid lotion and increase the dosage gradually if required.
Where can I buy lactic acid lotion?
You can buy lactic acid lotion at most pharmacies and health and beauty shops without the need for a prescription. Alternatively, lactic acid lotions and other lactic acid skincare products can be bought online.
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