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Can 5% Lactic Acid be used on the body?
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Can 5% Lactic Acid be used on the body?

11 September 2024


Can 5% Lactic Acid be used on the body?




Lactic acid is a chemical peel with a long and slightly gaudy history. Queen Cleopatra is known to have bathed in sour yak milk and honey to keep her skin youthful, soft and radiant.



Lactic acid has continued to rise in popularity over the centuries. Many product formulas often contain AHAs because it can produce impressive skin results while being gentle on the skin. However, as with all acids, its percentage plays a major role in its effect on the skin. With this in mind, we can now take a closer look at whether 5% lactic acid can be used on the body. Stay tuned if you want us to figure this out for you, but before we get started, let’s quickly review what lactic acid is and how it benefits the skin.




What is Lactic Acid?



Derived from fermented carbohydrates found in milk, lactic acid is one of the gentlest acids in the broad alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family. As a water-soluble skin ingredient, lactic acid absorbs quickly to provide balance and moisture to dry skin. This unique property gives the acid a distinct advantage over similar products such as the popular glycolic and salicylic acids.




In over-the-counter formulas, you’ll often notice a 5% to 10% difference in lactic acid concentration. For professional use, you’d expect a percentage of more than 30, which is often seen in chemical peels or facials. Stronger concentrations don’t produce faster, more effective results. Finding the best formula really depends on how your skin accepts the product and whether you see results. Remember, everyone’s skin is different. So when you find a product that works for you, stick with it and reap the rewards.



Lactic acid has many benefits for the skin. Here are some of the most important ones that many people appreciate, such as:




Increases skin cell turnover, removing the layers of dead skin cells that build up over time and make your complexion dull and lackluster.



May help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. This makes the skin look plumper and feel firmer.




Can remove bacteria, dirt, debris, and excess sebum that clog pores.



It works similarly to a moisturizer, which is that it attracts moisture around the skin and locks it in place.




Many people with dry, sensitive skin types love it because the large molecule size prevents the acid from penetrating too deeply into the skin.



Improves the skin’s natural moisturizing factor, helping to lock moisture into the skin barrier to keep it healthy and functioning properly.




Fights hyperpigmentation, dark spots, sun damage, and age spots.



Known as a highly effective ingredient in fighting pilaris catarrh. This is a skin condition that manifests as small bumps that appear on the surface of the skin that resemble “chicken skin.”




Used as an effective topical treatment for fighting psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema.



Although lactic acid is gentle on the skin, it’s important to remember that it’s still an exfoliant, which means there’s an increased risk of sun sensitivity. Because new skin cells are constantly appearing on the surface, the skin is more susceptible to sunburn from even mild UV exposure. Applying an SPF 30 or higher daily can prevent sunburn and sun damage.




You’ll also find that lactic acid can cause some minor skin irritation, such as redness, burning sensations, flaking, dryness, and itchy skin. These are rare and should be kept mild. However, if they become increasingly irritating or painful, you need to see a doctor or healthcare professional.



Can I use lactic acid on my body?




Yes, you can definitely use lactic acid on your body. Since it is very gentle, you can safely apply it to your body while avoiding unnecessary irritation.



Ideally, you should avoid applying lactic acid to cuts or open wounds, as this can sting and cause further irritation. You often find that the skin on your body is often forgotten, even though it needs light exfoliation just like your face. By using a body lotion enriched with lactic acid, you can remove dead skin cells, dirt, debris, and other impurities that have accumulated on the surface of your skin. This is considered to be the most effective formula for fighting acne breakouts that occur on the chest, back, and shoulders.




What does 5% lactic acid do for your skin?



You will find that over-the-counter skin care products rarely contain more than 5% lactic acid. This is because these formulas are designed to be applied to the skin twice a day. The result is plumper, firmer, and thicker skin without the worry of irritation and side effects caused by overuse of the acid.




If you want to use a higher percentage of lactic acid, chemical peels are the best results for you. Make sure you find the right beauty professional to exfoliate as this will help you achieve your skin goals without irritation, redness and rashes.



Is 5% Lactic Acid Strong?




Yes, 5% lactic acid is strong and can be very effective for people with dry skin who cannot use other stronger acids such as glycolic acid. However, lactic acid is suitable for all skin types, especially with the added benefit of moisturizing the skin at the same time. One of the most common skin mistakes made by people with oily skin is using a higher concentration of exfoliating acid.



This often results in the skin being stripped of sebum, leading to excessive oil production, which can cause acne, clogged pores and blackheads. If you have oily skin, strong acids are not good for your skin and you can exfoliate with lactic acid without the side effects.


That’s it, more about lactic acid and whether you can use 5% lactic acid on your body. Don’t forget to visit us on Instagram if you have any other questions.

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.
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