Ingredient glossary / Exfoliant
Lactic acid (AHA)
On the label: Lactic Acid · Exfoliant
What it is
A larger, gentler alpha hydroxy acid that is also a humectant; part of skin's own natural moisturising factor.
Exfoliants: Exfoliants remove dead cells from the surface, by chemistry (acids, enzymes) or by rubbing (physical scrubs).
Wikidata: Chemical compound. Q27080955 →
In the research
1,780 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- From Bioprocess Design to Bioactivity: a new platform for antimicrobial-producing lactic acid bacteria · Biotechnology reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 2026
- Poly-d,l-lactic Acid for Hip Tightening · Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 2026
- Biaxial Electrospinning of Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Blend and Polyvinylpyrrolidone Membranes for Topical Delivery of Betamethasone Valerate · Polymers, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Products whose label lists it
1 on the siteMatched from the ingredient list the supplier printed; the position in the list (first or thirtieth) is on each product page.
Other exfoliants
Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.