Lactic acid has long been touted as a beneficial ingredient in beauty products. Industrial chemical supplier Bell Chem has information on this alpha hydroxy acid that promises supple skin with fewer wrinkles. Read below to learn more facts about lactic acid. You probably recognize lactic acid as the fermented form of the carbohydrate lactose in milk. Looking back in history, lactic acid (in the form of sour milk) has been used as a skin softener since Ancient Egyptian times. But what exactly can lactic acid do for your skin? Why might it be an ingredient in other beauty products?

The best alpha hydroxy acid

Most alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) work well on skin, evening out irregular coloration and lessening fine lines. Of all the water-soluble AHAs, though, lactic acid alone hydrates the skin. And lactic acid is mild enough it can be used even on areas of sensitive skin.

Increases cell renewal

Skin cells form tight bonds to one another, leading to the continuous outer layer of our epidermis. When one skin cell dies, the ones around it may still be alive. If this occurs with frequency, the surface of the skin may contain thousands upon thousands of dead skin cells. Lactic acid breaks the chemical bonds between dead cells and their neighbors, allowing the old cells to be sloughed away. Because new, healthier skin cells remain, the skin seems to glow with health.

Improves skin texture

When the pores of the skin are large, the face appears pocked. Lactic acid tends to reduce pore size. Working below the skin’s outermost epidermal layer, lactic acid stimulates collagen growth. The protein collagen is a connective tissue binding the epidermis to the dermis. When these two layers are tightly bound, the skin is tighter.

Reduces age spots and fine wrinkles

Often, as the skin ages, specific areas become more heavily imbued with melanin. This hyperpigmentation ranges from mild to severe and gives the skin an uneven appearance. Lactic acid exfoliates these overly pigmented areas, leaving skin looking significantly more youthful.

Different concentrations of lactic acid give varying results. At 12% by volume, lactic acid causes the epidermal layer to grow thicker and firmer. This leads to less of an appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. This concentration is able to seep below the outermost layer of the epidermis to positively affect the underlying granular and spinous layers. 

Anti-acne medication

Lactic acid chemical peels are mild enough to use even when patients are sensitive to other exfoliants. When coupled with antibiotic treatments, many patients have shown a reduction of almost 90% of inflammatory lesions.

Antimicrobial

When used on the skin’s surface, lactic acid stops microbial growth. This gentle cleansing counters the bacteria and other germs that cause acne and even types of eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis.

Keratosis pilaris treatment

The skin directly over the tricep muscles at the back of the arm tends to form small bumps from the buildup of skin cells around hair follicles. Treating the area with lactic acid dissolves these odd cellular rafts. 

Bell Chem is an industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including lactic acid. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.