After sharing my quick thoughts on lactic acid yesterday, I was genuinely surprised by how many of you were curious to hear more, so here’s a deeper dive into why I think The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% is one of the best exfoliants out there, especially if you have sensitive skin like me.
Let’s start with the basics. Lactic acid is an AHA, but it’s generally gentler than other chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid or salicylic acid. That’s a huge plus if your skin tends to react easily. For me, it’s been the sweet spot between effective and non-irritating.
The texture is light and watery, and it comes in a dropper bottle. I just use a drop on my fingers and pat it over my face with no fuss, no irritation. It absorbs quickly and feels almost weightless on the skin. Bonus: it’s completely unscented, which is a huge relief for anyone with fragrance sensitivities. So many skincare products sneak in fragrance where it’s not needed, and I truly appreciate that this one doesn’t.
I’ve been using it every other night and always follow up with sunscreen the next morning. This part is crucial your skin becomes more photosensitive when using exfoliants, and the last thing you want is to undo all your progress with sun damage.
As for results? This has helped fade my acne scars and pigmentation in a way that’s actually noticeable over time. It’s gentle but consistent and sometimes that’s the real magic in skincare.
Highly recommend this for anyone starting their chemical exfoliation journey, or just looking for a more balanced approach to brightening and smoothing their skin.
If you have any questions, drop them below! I’m happy to chat!