Lactic acid and hyaluronic acid are powerful skincare ingredients—lactic acid exfoliates, while hyaluronic acid hydrates. Many wonder if they can be layered together for optimal results.
Understanding how to use them properly can enhance both exfoliation and hydration, giving you a smoother, more radiant complexion.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the body, primarily in the skin, joints, and eyes. It’s known for its exceptional ability to attract and retain moisture, helping to keep the skin hydrated, plump, and supple.
As a humectant, it can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, making it one of the most effective ingredients for improving skin hydration.
Key benefits of hyaluronic acid include:
- Intense Hydration: As a powerful humectant, hyaluronic acid attracts moisture from the environment into the skin, providing deep and long-lasting hydration.
- Plumps Skin and Reduces Fine Lines: By keeping skin hydrated, hyaluronic acid plumps the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and making it look fuller and smoother.
- Supports Skin’s Natural Barrier: Hyaluronic acid helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, which protects against environmental damage and keeps the skin feeling soft and nourished.
- Promotes Faster Healing: Hyaluronic acid aids in the skin’s natural healing process by supporting tissue repair and regeneration, making it beneficial for irritated or inflamed skin.
- Improves Skin Elasticity: With regular use, hyaluronic acid can help enhance skin elasticity, giving it a firmer, more supple feel.
With these powerful properties, hyaluronic acid can significantly enhance skin health and improve the overall appearance of your skin.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from milk. It helps remove dead skin cells, promoting smoother, more radiant skin.
Known for its mild nature, it’s suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin. Lactic acid also provides hydration, making it a great choice for those seeking both exfoliation and moisture.
Its benefits include:
- Exfoliates Dead Skin Cells: Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliant that helps remove the buildup of dead skin cells, revealing smoother, fresher skin underneath.
- Brightens Skin Tone: Regular use of lactic acid can help fade dark spots, pigmentation, and uneven skin tone, resulting in a brighter and more radiant complexion.
- Improves Skin Texture: By stimulating cell turnover, lactic acid helps refine skin texture, making it look more polished and even.
- Hydrates the Skin: Unlike many exfoliants, lactic acid is a humectant that draws moisture to the skin, preventing dryness and maintaining hydration.
Understanding how lactic acid works and its range of benefits is key to incorporating it into your skincare routine effectively.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid and Lactic Acid Together?
Yes, you can safely use hyaluronic acid and lactic acid together, and in fact, they complement each other very well when layered correctly.
However, it’s important to follow proper application methods to avoid irritation or over-exfoliation. Layering these two ingredients in the right order ensures that each ingredient works to its fullest potential without compromising the skin’s barrier.
How They Work Together
Lactic acid and hyaluronic acid complement each other by targeting different aspects of skin health.
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Exfoliation + Hydration: Lactic acid exfoliates the skin’s surface, removing dead cells, while hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates, plumping the skin and locking in moisture.
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Smooth, Even Skin: The exfoliation from lactic acid helps even out skin texture and tone, while hyaluronic acid ensures skin remains hydrated and radiant.
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Boosting Natural Hydration: Lactic acid boosts the skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid, enhancing moisture retention and giving a natural, lasting glow.
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Balancing Dryness: Since lactic acid can cause slight dryness, hyaluronic acid hydrates and replenishes, helping maintain a healthy moisture balance.
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Enhanced Penetration: The exfoliating effect of lactic acid allows hyaluronic acid to penetrate deeper, making it more effective in moisturizing the skin.
This synergy between exfoliation and hydration gives you smoother, more youthful-looking skin when used together correctly.
What Goes First: Lactic Acid or Hyaluronic Acid?
The correct order of application is key to ensuring that both lactic acid and hyaluronic acid work their best for your skin.
- Lactic Acid First: Lactic acid is an exfoliating acid, so it should be applied first on clean, dry skin. Exfoliating with lactic acid removes dead skin cells and helps to unclog pores, revealing a fresher, smoother layer of skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid Second: After the lactic acid has had time to absorb and your skin feels dry (usually after a minute or two), follow up with hyaluronic acid. The reason for this order is that hyaluronic acid is a humectant—it pulls moisture into the skin. If applied after lactic acid, it will lock in the moisture while also soothing the skin after exfoliation.
Always remember to layer from thinnest to thickest products. Since lactic acid is typically a serum or liquid-based, it should be applied first. Hyaluronic acid often comes in a serum form too but is slightly thicker than lactic acid, making it ideal to apply second.
When to Use Them
For the best results, incorporate lactic acid and hyaluronic acid into your routine at the right times:
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Evening Routine: Lactic acid is best applied at night since exfoliating acids can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Follow up with hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture.
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Morning Use (Hyaluronic Acid Only): Hyaluronic acid can be used in the morning to keep the skin hydrated throughout the day. Always follow with sunscreen.
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Frequency: Use lactic acid 2–4 times a week, depending on your skin’s tolerance. Hyaluronic acid can be used daily, morning and night.
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After Cleansing: Apply lactic acid on dry skin after cleansing, let it absorb, then follow with hyaluronic acid for hydration.
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Avoid Overuse: If your skin becomes irritated, reduce the frequency of lactic acid use and ensure you’re following with a hydrating moisturizer.
By timing their application properly, you maximize their benefits while keeping your skin balanced and healthy.
Incorporating Other Skincare Components
When using lactic acid and hyaluronic acid together, it’s essential to consider how other skincare ingredients can complement or enhance their effects. The right combination of products can improve your results and address other skincare concerns.
For instance, hydrating ingredients like glycerin or ceramides can further reinforce your skin’s moisture barrier, while antioxidants like vitamin C can brighten and protect the skin.
However, it’s equally important to be cautious about potential ingredient conflicts, such as combining powerful exfoliants or irritating substances. Balancing your skincare routine with thoughtful layering of compatible products can optimize your results.
Synergistic Ingredients and Products
Combining lactic acid and hyaluronic acid can be even more effective when paired with other complementary ingredients. These can enhance hydration, skin barrier function, and overall skin health:
- Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that helps brighten the complexion, improve skin texture, and protect against environmental stressors. Vitamin C pairs well with lactic acid for enhanced radiance and works with hyaluronic acid to keep skin plump.
- Niacinamide: Known for its calming and soothing properties, niacinamide can help reduce redness or irritation that might arise from lactic acid exfoliation. It also strengthens the skin barrier and improves overall skin texture.
- Peptides: These amino acid chains support skin repair, hydration, and elasticity. When used alongside hyaluronic acid and lactic acid, peptides can help maintain skin integrity and promote collagen production, leading to smoother, firmer skin.
- Ceramides: These lipids help maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and prevent dehydration. They work well after applying hyaluronic acid, ensuring that the hydration stays locked in.
- Antioxidants: Ingredients like green tea extract or resveratrol protect the skin from free radical damage. These are perfect to use after exfoliation to prevent oxidative stress and further support skin health.
Avoiding Conflicting Skincare Ingredients
When using lactic acid and hyaluronic acid in your routine, it’s essential to be mindful of how they interact with other active ingredients. Some ingredients, like retinoids or strong exfoliants (e.g., glycolic or salicylic acid), can cause irritation when combined with acids.
Similarly, acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide may interfere with the effectiveness of other ingredients. To avoid irritation, it’s best to layer these ingredients at different times—retinoids at night, acids in the morning—and always use sunscreen to protect your skin.
Here’s a quick guide on ingredients to use separately from lactic acid and hyaluronic acid:
- Retinoids/Retinol: Use in separate routines to avoid irritation.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: Use at a different time from acids to prevent deactivation of other ingredients.
- Strong Exfoliants: Avoid over-exfoliation to prevent skin sensitivity.
Conclusion
Incorporating both lactic acid and hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine can bring impressive benefits, from exfoliation and hydration to improved skin texture and a radiant complexion.
By understanding how to use them together and layering them correctly, you can optimize their effectiveness without causing irritation. Remember to avoid conflicting ingredients, stay consistent, and protect your skin with sunscreen.
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