Do you want to reduce wrinkles, hydrate your skin, and promote a youthful glow? If so, lactic acid could be the powerful skin care secret you’ve been searching for. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that’s derived from milk and other sources, and it’s been used in skin care treatments for centuries. It has the power to exfoliate, hydrate, and brighten your complexion, while also helping to reduce signs of aging. But how exactly does lactic acid work to achieve these amazing results? Read on to learn more about the benefits of lactic acid and how it works to improve your skin.
What are the Benefits of Lactic Acid?
Lactic acid has a wide variety of benefits for your skin. Some of these include:
- Reduced Fine Lines and Wrinkles - Lactic acid is a great exfoliant, which means that it can help remove the dead, dull layers of skin that cause wrinkles. It can also help to stimulate collagen production, which is the protein that keeps skin looking young and plump.
- Increased Hydration - As we age, our skin begins to become less hydrated, causing it to become dry and flaky. Lactic acid can help to restore the natural hydration levels in the skin, leaving you with a youthful glow.
- Reduces Dark Spots and Spots - Dark spots, like acne scars, pigmentation marks, and sun spots, can make your complexion look dull and uneven. Lactic acid has been proven to help fade dark spots and make your skin look truly vibrant.
- Better Skin Barrier - Your skin's natural protective barrier keeps you from looking older than your actual age. As you age, this barrier becomes weaker and more porous, which creates problems for your skin such as dehydration and breakouts. Lactic acid can help to improve the skin's natural barrier so that it stays hydrated and healthy.
As you can see, lactic acid has a lot to offer for your skin! It can be used to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, and sun damage, while also promoting hydration and collagen production.
How Does Lactic Acid Work?
Lactic acid can be used in a variety of ways in your skin care routine. It is most often used as a chemical exfoliant, meaning that it dissolves dead skin cells on the surface of your face to promote a brighter, more youthful complexion. Lactic acid can also be applied as a topical moisturizer to hydrate your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can be found in various skin care products, including creams, masks, serums, and even cleansers. While lactic acid works differently in each of these products, its main purpose is always the same: to improve the look and feel of your skin. Lactic acid is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, which make it a powerful skin care ingredient. When applied to the skin, it gently exfoliates and hydrates, improving the overall look and feel of your complexion.
Different Types of Lactic Acid
There are two different types of lactic acid that you can use in your skin care routine:
- Lactic Acid - This is the pure form of lactic acid. It has a smaller molecular structure than most other alpha hydroxy acids, which allows it to penetrate the skin more deeply and effectively.
Sodium Lactate - This is a byproduct of lactic acid, which means that it is a less concentrated form of Lactic Acid. Although it is less effective than lactic acid, sodium lactate is a gentler option that is great for sensitive skin types.
How to Use Lactic Acid
Lactic acid can be used as an exfoliant in various ways, including:
- As exfoliant - You can use a lactic acid product to exfoliate your skin, which can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as hyperpigmentation and acne scarring.
- As a topical moisturizer - A lactic acid product can be applied to your skin as a moisturizer, which can hydrate and smooth your complexion for a glowing, youthful look.
Using lactic acid can be a powerful step in your skincare routine, but you need to be careful to avoid over exfoliating your skin. Overuse can lead to skin sensitivity and irritation, so it’s best to use it sparingly.
Possible Side Effects of Lactic Acid
As with any skin care product or treatment, there are certain side effects that you should be aware of when using lactic acid. Some of these include:
- Excessive Dryness - Lactic acid is a powerful exfoliant, so it will likely cause dryness and peeling in the areas that you use it on. Be sure to follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
- Redness - Lactic acid can sometimes cause a slight reddening of the skin, but this will fade once the product has worn off. If the redness doesn’t go away after a few hours, try using a lower concentration of lactic acid or a different type of alpha hydroxy acid altogether.
Conclusion
Lactic acid has been used for centuries to improve the look and feel of your skin. It works as an alpha hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin, and it has even been proven to reduce signs of aging. Lactic acid is most often used as a chemical exfoliant, meaning that it dissolves dead skin cells on the surface of your face to promote a brighter, more youthful complexion. It can also be applied as a topical moisturizer to hydrate your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Lactic acid is a great way to improve the look and feel of your skin, and it can be found in various skin care products, including creams, masks, serums, and even cleansers.