How Often Should You Use Lactic Acid Peels?

By now, especially if you’ve been dealing with these topics for a while, you’re already well aware of what lactic acid is and how great it is for your skin. Today’s blog post focuses on the question of how often you should use lactic acid peels. Don’t let the name scare you, peels are a quick and effective way to get beautiful skin, but you’ll need to take some time to make sure you find the right formula and feel confident using it.

What is Lactic Acid?

Found naturally in sour dairy products like milk, its derivatives are used to make lactic acid in skincare products.

Effectively fights signs of aging and smooths fine lines and wrinkles.

Removes dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, debris, and other impurities that accumulate on the outer surface of the skin.

Targets areas of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and sun damage by preventing overproduction of melanin, making those areas more pigmented.

Boosts the production of collagen and elastin in the skin for a hydrated, plump complexion.

Lactic acid acts as a humectant, which means it draws moisture into the skin and locks in the protective skin barrier.

It is known as the gentlest acid and is suitable for all skin types, even mildly sensitive skin.

It helps rejuvenate the skin and reveal new skin cells for a brighter, more vibrant complexion.

How do chemical peels work?

Chemical peels use a peeling acid, such as lactic acid, on freshly cleansed skin. A thin layer is applied to the surface of the skin to remove the top layer of the epidermis. Dead skin cells, excess sebum, dirt, and bacteria can accumulate in the surface layer and, if not removed, can cause breakouts and spots, making the complexion appear dull. In some cases, chemical peels can penetrate deeper into the dermis layer of the skin to help open up pores and prevent the appearance of blackheads or acne.

The difference with lactic acid is that it is a milder alpha hydroxy acid and can be used by almost all skin types. Its benefits lie in its ability to fight hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and age spots, revealing a healthy, radiant layer of skin cells. You will also find that lactic acid has unique properties as a humectant, which means it attracts moisture and holds it in place. Not only does this keep your skin soft and hydrated, it also ensures that the lipid barrier is working properly and protects the skin from free radicals and other environmental influences.

If you want to learn more about lactic acid itself and its effects on the skin, read our dedicated blog post.

How often can I do a lactic acid peel?

Lactic acid peels are best done every few weeks. However, the acid content will affect whether you should use it more frequently. You’ll find that a 30% lactic acid concentrate is a good place to start when incorporating peels into your daily routine.

Before we go on, don’t be alarmed if the word “peel” sends a chill down your spine, as this doesn’t mean the skin is literally peeling off your face. Instead, you’ll find that the acid works on the underlying layers, clearing bacteria, dead skin cells, and other impurities from the skin. The “peeling” will look more like a fresh layer of skin coming to the surface. Please note that exfoliation can increase your risk of sun damage, so using sunscreen every day is an important step to protect your skin.

How often should lactic acid be used?

This depends largely on the formulation and strength of the lactic acid used. Weaker concentrates are often found in cleansers and face washes, both of which rinse off the skin and are gentle enough to be used daily, some even twice a day. These formulas are preferred by those with dry, sensitive skin, as they rarely cause much irritation.

For stronger formulas, like serums, it may need to be slowly incorporated into your routine, especially if you have sensitive skin. I also recommend using it only at night if the acid is at a higher concentration, as this avoids the risk of further damage to the skin from sun exposure.

Many people find that combining this acid with other ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide is an easy and effective task with few side effects. For stronger active ingredients, like retinol and salicylic acid, alternating each ingredient is recommended, as this gives the skin and pH levels enough time to rebalance in preparation for the next treatment.

If you’re unsure how your skin reacts to certain ingredients, a 24-hour patch test can help you determine if it’s okay to apply it to your face while avoiding side effects.

Can lactic acid peels be used daily?

As I mentioned earlier, lactic acid is one of the gentlest acids for the skin. But that doesn’t mean it won’t cause irritation or dry out the skin. You may also find that overusing exfoliating formulas (especially ones as potent as exfoliants) can strip the skin’s protective barrier of the right amount of water and oil, leaving it vulnerable to further damage.

Therefore, it’s important to make sure you use your product as directed on the packaging. If you’re concerned about using certain acids, I recommend consulting your doctor or dermatologist to make sure you’re using the best acid for you and your needs.

Here are some more tips on how often to use lactic acid peels. Don’t forget to visit our Instagram for more help and to stay up to date on our latest product launches, exclusive discounts, and skincare tips.

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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