Lactobionic Acid Gently Exfoliates Even the Most Sensitive Skin Types

While exfoliation is one of the best ways to remove dead skin cells and enhance your skin’s radiance, many physical and chemical exfoliants can be too harsh in practice, especially if you have sensitive skin. If your complexion seems to react at the sight of acids nearby, but you could still use a little exfoliation, lactobionic acid is a gentler option that might be worth trying. In addition to its exfoliating properties, the ingredient also has benefits like moisturizing and supporting the skin barrier (all with minimal to no irritation). Below, dermatologists explain everything you need to know about lactobionic acid, from its benefits to how to best incorporate it into your daily routine.

Meet the Experts

Hannah Kopelman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Kopelman Cosmetic Surgery in New York City.

Karyn Grossman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Grossman Dermatology.

What is Lactobionic Acid?

Lactobionic acid is an exfoliating and moisturizing ingredient in skincare that belongs to the polyhydroxy acid (PHA) class. It’s derived from lactose and is known to be gentler on the skin than alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA).

“What I find so appealing about lactobionic acid is that it’s so gentle while still delivering real results,” says board-certified dermatologist Hannah Kopelman, MD. “It’s made from lactose, a milk sugar, and that smoothness is what really sets it apart.”

Board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon Karyn Grossman, MD, explains that lactobionic acid has a larger molecular structure than AHAs and BHAs, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin for a gentler exfoliation process.

Benefits of Lactobionic Acid

Are you interested in giving lactobionic acid a try (or do you need a little convincing)? Here are some of the benefits this skincare ingredient can have on your skin:

Gentle Exfoliation: Lactobionic acid exfoliates, helping to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin without the harshness of other types of skincare acids. That means it’s less likely to cause irritation, stinging, and burning. “It works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, which encourages cell turnover,” says Kopelman. “This can lead to smoother skin, fewer fine lines, and the healthy glow we all crave.”

Moisturizer: People with dry skin may benefit from incorporating lactobionic acid into their skincare routine because of the ingredient’s hydrating properties. “One of lactobionic acid’s standout properties is its ability to attract and retain moisture,” says Grossman. “It acts as a humectant, drawing water into the skin, improving skin hydration and reducing dryness.”

Antioxidant: Lactobionic acid has antioxidant properties that can protect your skin. 1 “It helps protect your skin from free radicals, which are those nasty molecules that can cause premature aging,” says Kopelman. “By protecting the skin from oxidative stress, lactobionic acid helps maintain a youthful appearance.”

Supports the Skin Barrier: Lactobionic acid helps strengthen the health of the skin barrier. 1 “This is especially beneficial for people with damaged skin, whether due to environmental factors or an underlying condition like eczema or rosacea,” says Kopelman.

Reduces the appearance of fine lines: “By gently exfoliating the skin and improving hydration, lactobionic acid can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin appear smoother and plumper,” says Grossman.

Who Should Use It?

Lactobionic acid is good for many different skin types, but dermatologists say it’s especially good for people with mildly sensitive skin or those who are new to peels and worried about irritating their skin. “It’s a very gentle exfoliant, and even those who can’t tolerate AHAs or BHAs can usually use it without a problem,” says Kopelman. “But really, just about everyone can benefit from lactobionic acid, whether you want to smooth out your skin, give it a little extra moisture, or protect it from signs of aging, which it can also be used for prevention because of lactobionic acid’s hydrating properties.” Grossman tells us it’s great for people with dry or dehydrated skin.

Use with caution if you have a lactose or milk allergy Be careful with lactobionic acid, as it’s derived from lactose. As always, check with your dermatologist if you’re unsure if the ingredient is safe for you.

Application

While lactobionic acid is much gentler than most exfoliants, it’s still important to use it correctly to get the most benefits while taking care of your skin. Here are some top tips:

Let your skin adjust: As with most skincare products, the first rule of thumb is to start slowly. “If you incorporate lactobionic acid into your skincare routine, start by using it two to three times a week, especially if you’re new to exfoliation,” advises Grossman. “This allows your skin to build up a tolerance. As your skin adjusts, you can increase usage to every other day or even daily, depending on how your skin reacts.”

Keep your skin hydrated: After using lactobionic acid, it’s important to use a good moisturizer. “This helps lock in moisture and keep your skin soft,” says Kopelman.

Apply plenty of sunscreen: Keep in mind that exfoliants like lactobionic acid can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so you need to be careful when applying sunscreen. “Make sure you wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy,” says Kopelman. “It’s critical to protect your skin from UV rays.”

Stick to evening use: Grossman recommends using lactobionic acid at night, since exfoliants can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Watch your routine: Grossman also advises caution when combining lactobionic acid with other strong peels or retinoids. “I generally recommend that you follow up with a retinoid or acid right away. “Take it at night,” Grossman says. “People with very oily skin may be able to tolerate a lactobionic acid tonic followed by a tretinoin, but the dose must be increased very slowly.”

Check for sensitivity: As with other skincare products, you should do a patch test before incorporating lactobionic acid into your skincare routine. This allows you to see how your skin reacts to the product, which is especially important if you have sensitive skin.

Final Verdict

Because lactobionic acid balances exfoliation and moisturizing properties while being gentle on sensitive skin, it may be just the skincare ingredient you never knew you needed. Dermatologists say it works well for most skin types. So if you’re worried about a reaction, you may want to do a patch test, but if you’re looking for a way to achieve rejuvenating results with minimal irritation, it’s a good option.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected