Lactic Acid In Anti-Aging Skin Care Products

In an effort to discuss some very new and extremely effective ingredients used in today's skin care products, we begin a new series of articles entitled "Beautiful Ingredients". The first ingredient we will explore is lactic acid, an ingredient used in a variety of products that range from professionally administered Lactic Peels to more mild formulations that can be used at home.

I had always thought lactic acid was that stuff that made my thighs burn when I ran for a bus, but when used cosmetically, it becomes a popular ingredient used in exfoliators. In a nutshell, lactic acid, a member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) family, is derived from milk and when fermented, becomes a powerful but gentle exfoliating ingredient. Because of its ease of skin penetration, lactic acid is one of the most effective AHAs to be used in cleansers, masks and anti-aging skin care creams. It is said the use of lactic acid goes all the way back to Cleopatra who was reported to bathe in sour milk.

Because lactic acid is a naturally occurring human metabolite, there is much lower chance of allergic reaction using this type exfoliation and is an excellent ingredient for those with sensitive skin, rosecea or acne. One with sensitive skin should use caution when using a higher strength lactic acid product as it can cause unwanted side effects such as sensitivity to sun exposure.

While the name includes the word "acid", lactic acid is, in fact, a preferred exfoliating ingredient and is very safe when used in conjunction with recommended dosages and frequency of use.