Acne is an incredibly common skin condition that can cause great distress for those who experience it. We often hear about various ingredients in skincare products that may either help or worsen acne symptoms, with lactic acid being one of the most controversial. So, does lactic acid in skincare really cause acne? In this article, we'll explore the truth behind lactic acid and its effects on the skin. We'll look at the benefits and potential risks of using products containing lactic acid, and discuss the best ways to use this ingredient if you do decide to incorporate it into your skincare routine. So if you're looking for more information on lactic acid and its effects on skin, read on to learn more!
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What is lactic acid?
Lactic acid is a naturally occurring that is found in plants, animals, and human beings. It's produced during energy production in cells, and is also created when other substances break down. You may have heard that lactic acid helps muscles recover more quickly after exercise. Lactic acid is also found in many skincare products, especially exfoliating products that are used to treat acne-prone skin. Lactic acid is often included in face peels, as it can help reduce the appearance of blemishes and open pores. Lactic acid is also used in moisturizing creams, and can be found in face masks and other treatments designed to exfoliate the skin.
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Benefits of lactic acid
- Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles - Lactic acid is often used in anti-aging skincare products. It's thought that lactic acid encourages collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Helps reduce acne and blemishes - Lactic acid is often found in exfoliating products designed to treat acne-prone skin. Although it's primarily used as a chemical peel to enhance the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, lactic acid is also very effective at unblocking clogged pores and reducing the appearance of breakouts.
- Helps lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation - Lactic acid has been shown to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, which are common signs of aging.
- Helps prevent clogged pores - One of the main reasons people use lactic acid-containing skincare products is to prevent pores from becoming clogged. Pores can become clogged when the sebaceous glands produce excessive oil that builds up in the pores and begins to harden. This can cause blackheads and whiteheads, and can also lead to acne if the clogged pores become infected.
- Helps treat acne - Another reason people use lactic acid-containing skincare products is to treat acne. Lactic acid has anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to be effective at reducing the severity of acne breakouts.
- Helps increase the skin's tolerance to sunlight - Lactic acid can also help the skin tolerate sunlight, making it a good choice for skincare products designed to protect the skin from sun damage.
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Does lactic acid cause acne?
As mentioned before, Lactic Acid can help prevent clogged pores and helps treat acne. Lactic acid, which is known as a keratolytic, is capable of separating dead skin cells that commonly get stuck in pores and result in acne. Not only does this ingredient diminish acne, but it also offers anti-aging advantages. Therefore, it is a multifunctional substance that can both soothe existing acne and help to reduce signs of aging. Study shows that a long term topical application of lactic acid is a preventive treatment for acne causing bacteria.
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Best ways to use lactic acid
- Always patch test first - before you start using lactic acid-containing skincare products, it is incredibly important to patch test first. This means that you should apply a small amount of the product to a small area of your skin and leave it there for a couple of days to determine whether it causes any irritation. You should also read the product's ingredients list and look for warnings or precautions.
- Don't use lactic acid products too often - it's important to remember that lactic acid can be very harsh on the skin, especially when used too often. Keeping the skin's pH balanced is essential for healthy, youthful-looking skin, and frequent use of lactic acid skincare products can throw the pH balance off. If you use lactic acid skincare products too often, your skin is likely to become irritated and more prone to breakouts.
- Apply lactic acid products over a gentle exfoliator - to protect your skin and keep it healthy, it's important to use a gentle, exfoliating skincare product designed for daily use. Exfoliating your skin once a day is enough to keep pores unclogged, but not so much that it causes irritation or redness.
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Conclusion
Lactic acid is an incredibly useful skincare ingredient that can be used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, prevent blackheads and whiteheads, and effectively treat acne. Β Lactic acid is able to combat acne due to its keratolytic properties which make it effective at eliminating the dead skin cells that can accumulate and block the pores, causing breakouts. In addition, this ingredient is multi-functional, providing not only relief from acne but also having anti-aging advantages.