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If you’ve ever wanted the glow-boosting benefits of an
exfoliating acid
without the intensity of stronger options, the best lactic acid serums may be your sweet spot, as lactic acid is generally gentler than other alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as
glycolic acid
, thanks to its larger molecular size. “
Lactic acid
is a gentle exfoliating acid that’s naturally derived from dairy products and is part of the AHA family,” says
Mamina Turegano
, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans. (Despite its milk-related origins, the lactic acid used in skin care today is typically synthetically produced.) “Lactic acid dissolves away dead skin cells to make skin look smoother, brighter, and more radiant—but unlike some stronger acids, it also has hydrating properties, so it tends to be
more tolerable for dry or sensitive skin
,” she says.
Our Top Lactic Acid Serums
Best Overall:
Mara Flower Acid Algae Serum
, $74
Best for Mature Skin:
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
, $85
Best for Acne-Prone Skin:
Shani Darden Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum
, $75
Best for Dry Skin:
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA
, $8
Whether you’re dealing with post-breakout marks, flaky patches, uneven tone, or simply want a glowier complexion, there’s a lactic acid serum for every skin concern. These are the formulas our editors and dermatologists recommend most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does lactic acid compare to other exfoliating acids?
Is lactic acid good for sensitive skin?
What percentage of lactic acid is best for beginners?
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Our staff and testers
Best Overall:
Mara Flower Acid Algae Serum
MARA
Flower Acid Algae Serum
$74
Amazon
$74
Sephora
$74
Bluemercury
Allure
beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Mara Flower Acid Algae Serum
Sarah Kinonen
Why it's worth it:
The name Mara references the Sea of Marmara in Turkey, where the brand’s founder—a former beauty journalist—fell down a deep rabbit hole researching marine ingredients, especially
algae
. According to our tester, that fascination clearly paid off in this Best of Beauty Award winner: the Flower Acid Algae Serum. At the heart of the formula is the brand’s signature algae blend, along with barrier-supporting plankton and mineral-rich French seawater, which keep skin feeling hydrated, balanced, and just a little more springy. Flower acids from daisy and hibiscus work alongside anti-inflammatory helichrysum (a medicinal plant harvested in Corsica, a Mediterranean island belonging to France) to gently refine texture, but the real resurfacing power comes from 11% lactic acid derived from beet sugar as well as gluconolactone, a gentle polyhydroxy acid.
While it’s the highest concentration of lactic acid on our list, the acid’s naturally humectant properties make the serum feel cushy and moisturizing. “Unlike many exfoliants, this multi-acid serum can brighten and refresh skin without drying out the skin barrier,”
Sean Alemi
, MD, double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in New York City,
previously told
Allure
.
Tester feedback from beauty director
Sarah Kinonen
“I use this serum every other night in place of my
prescription Tretinoin
. After cleansing and before moisturizer, I massage a small pump into my skin from my forehead down my neck. As someone with easily irritated skin, this never causes the usual side effects I experience with potent serums, like inflammation and/or flaking. Instead, it leaves my skin feeling smooth and looking glowy. I'll admit that $74 for an exfoliating serum is a bit pricey, but I promise it's worth the investment! I've recommended it to so many friends and family, and they've all agreed that the results are great. Plus, it won a Best of Beauty Award a few years back, so we all agree it's good!”
—Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
Key ingredients:
11% lactic acid, algae, plankton, gluconolactone, French seawater, daisy, hibiscus
Fragrance-free:
yes
Best for Mature Skin:
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
Sunday Riley
Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment
$85
Amazon
$85
Nordstrom
$85
Ulta Beauty
Allure
contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
Why it's worth it:
Cosmetic chemist and formulator Sunday Riley is
famously meticulous
about her formulas. As a result, few products have earned the level of devotion that Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment has. While lactic acid is great for all skin types, “
mature skin
often benefits from exfoliation that improves dullness and texture without overly compromising the skin barrier, and this lactic acid treatment delivers a smoother, brighter, more radiant look while still feeling relatively hydrating and cosmetically elegant on the skin,” says Dr. Turegano.
That balance is exactly what makes this
2023 Best of Beauty Award
winner stand out: Within minutes,
Book Your Appointment
Ready to transform your skin? Visit Candy Beauty Skin Care at 32 Pell St, Chinatown, NYC.
Call (646) 691-8273 or book online at candybeauty.store.
Our expert estheticians are ready to create your personalized treatment plan.
Source: https://www.allure.com/story/best-lactic-acid-serums
