Hydrate & Exfoliate With Our 8 Best Lactic Acid Cleansers in 2025
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If you’ve sidestepped physical scrubs and moved over to the realm of chemical exfoliants, you might want to consider the benefits of a Lactic acid cleanser.
Lactic acid in cleansers is a powerhouse ingredient that is highly efficacious, while being super gentle and hydrating.
Because it has become such a popular ingredient in skin care lately, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you navigate our selection of Lactic acid exfoliant cleansers.
Plus, we’ve included a few key Lactic acid benefits, and explained why it stands out from other exfoliating ingredients.
What Is Lactic Acid? What Does Lactic Acid Do?
Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), a natural chemical exfoliant that refines the surface of your skin by breaking down dead skin cells, impurities, and sebum.
More active AHA’s, such as Glycolic acid, can be aggressive and irritating to some. However, Lactic Acid is a very gentle chemical exfoliant.
Aside from exfoliating, this ingredient also helps improve moisture retention and works to prevent congestion and improve pigmentation.
Lactic Acid is the perfect chemical exfoliant for sensitive, dry and mature skin, as it moisturises while it gently resurfaces.
Lactic Acid Cleanser Benefits:
- Used several times a week in a cleanser, Lactic Acid will leave your skin visibly plumper and revitalised.
- Lactic Acid is the secret weapon in any great anti-ageing routine, as it helps boost collagen production and promotes skin renewal. In turn, this acid helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles by hydrating the skin.
- Due to its antibacterial properties, Lactic acid wash is a great solution to keratosis pilaris and ingrown hairs.
- Because of it’s moisturising factors, a Lactic cleanser is also great for men dealing with beard dandruff, acne, and irritation.
Just A Few of Our Favourite Cleansers with Lactic Acid
A Medium Intensity Lactic Acid Gel Cleanser
The Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser is a gentle but extremely effective, lightly foaming Lactic acid face wash. Formulated with the purest form of this type of alpha-hydroxy acid, L-Lactic acid, this cleanser is safe for sensitive skin. While working to exfoliate and decongest problematic skin, this cleanser also nourishes with Vitamin E, Raspberry Extract and Goji Berry Extract. The inclusion of Vitamin B5 and Seaweed Extract improves the skin’s moisture levels and barrier defence. This cleanser will support and strengthen all skin types, leaving every complexion healthy and radiant.
The Dermalogica Age Smart Skin Resurfacing Cleanser is a rich treatment cleanser designed for mature skin types to promote a youthful complexion. The inclusion of Lactic acid helps to hydrate and stimulate cell turnover to plump the skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin E provides nourishment and protects against free radical damage, while Rose Flower Oil soothes any irritation. This gentle Lactic acid exfoliator leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable, and it removes makeup well too.
The Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense tackles congestion and uneven skin texture. A combination of Mandelic acid, Lactic acid, and Red Clover Extract helps minimise pores, reduce sebum, and regulate oil production. While these AHA’s scour your skin’s surface, Salicylic acid works deep within your pores to exfoliate at multiple levels. Added Glycerine then helps hydrate the skin. A dream for oily and combination skin, this face wash with Lactic acid reduces shine and decongests the skin.
Reveal a Brighter, Smoother Complexion
The Murad Age Reform AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser uses multiple exfoliating agents to smooth and polish the skin’s surface. This Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, and Salicylic acid face wash removes dead skin cells and impurities, and helps improve overall skin texture. It’s a triple-action cleanser that helps improve dull complexions, revealing bright and healthy skin while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. This cleanser can also be used on the body and is perfect for dealing with bacne or keratosis pilaris. As it’s quite potent, this chemical cleanser should only be used once or twice a week.
The Aspect Exfoliating Cleanser is a gentle foaming cleanser that smooths and brightens dull skin by lightly exfoliating dead skin cells and removing impurities. Key ingredients Lactic acid and Salicylic acid exfoliate at multiple levels, decongesting the skin and refining skin texture. Anti-inflammatories Aloe Vera and Canadian Willow Herb then work to soothe the skin. This blend of actives suit a range of skin types and concerns, leaving skin feeling fresh and luminous. When used every other day, this Lactic acid face cleanser cleanser can help improve the tone and texture of your skin for glowing results.
The PCA Skin Facial Wash is a mild facial wash designed to gently exfoliate, hydrate, and soothe. This low-foam gel formula contains Lactic Acid to exfoliate without causing irritation. Willow Bark Extract helps reduce congestion, while Aloe Vera soothes any redness or inflammation. Cleansers with Lactic acid are a must-have for those looking to remove all traces of makeup, oil and pollution. Highly recommended for sensitive skin types dealing with excessive oil production and acne, as this Lactic acid wash helps to rebalance the skin.
The Best Lactic Acid Cleanser for Radiant Results
The Dermalist Ultra Hydrating Lactic Cleanser does more than your average cleanser. This milky-gel formula provides glowing results with its host of impressive ingredients. Lactic acid works to exfoliate and boost moisture, while Green Tea, Niacinamide and Vitamin C work to actively brighten and protect the skin. With regular use, skin looks truly radiant, plus this formula is gentle enough for regular use in both the morning and evening. There’s a reason why this one is a staff-favourite.
Oil cleansers are a great way to take the day off, but very few of them actually contain active components. The Cosmedix Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser is a bold exception, containing chirally correct L-Lactic acid to help hydrate and exfoliate the skin gently. This nourishing formula restores the skin using a blend of oils and extracts. Oily and problematic skin types particularly benefit from this Lactic acid face wash as it helps to cleanse and unclog pores.
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
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