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.
