Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) commonly used in dermatology, primarily for its exfoliating and keratolytic effects rather than as a direct antimicrobial agent. Some scientific studies have shown that lactic acid possesses mild antimicrobial properties, particularly against certain bacteria and fungi, by lowering skin pH and disrupting microbial cell membranes. This has led to its inclusion in some topical formulations aimed at managing mild skin infections or as an adjunct in acne therapy.

However, the scientific evidence for lactic acid as a standalone treatment for skin infections is limited. Most clinical studies and reviews focus on its efficacy in treating hyperkeratotic conditions (such as ichthyosis or keratosis pilaris), improving skin texture, and enhancing skin barrier function. Its role in infection control is generally secondary—by exfoliating dead skin cells, it may help prevent environments where pathogens thrive, but it is not considered a primary antimicrobial agent.

In summary, there is some limited scientific basis for the use of lactic acid in supporting the treatment of skin infections, mainly due to its acidifying and mild antimicrobial effects. However, it should not be relied upon as a sole or primary treatment for established infections, but may be useful as part of broader dermatological regimens.

More about lactic acid
More about Skin (infections)

Other ingredients used for Skin (infections)

10-Undecenoic Acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Abuta
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agave
Ajoene
Ajuga
Akebia
Alantolactone
Albizia
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
American Pawpaw
Ampelopsis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Arisaema
Artepillin C
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
azelaic acid
babchi
Bacillus
Backhousia citriodora
bael
Baliospermum
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
bentonite
benzoin
Bergenia
bisabolene
Black spruce
black walnut
Blepharis
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
Brazilian peppertree
burning bush
California pitcher plant
camphor oil
Casearia esculenta
castile soap
Cedrus libani
chaparral
Chekiang Fritillary
chickweed
Chiococca alba
chlorophyll
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Cistus
citral
citronella
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cocklebur
copaiba oil
copper
croton seeds
Cynodon dactylon
cypress
daphne
Didymocarpus
echinacea purpurea
Echinodorus
emu oil
farnesol
Ficus religiosa
fir
fleabane
frankincense
Galbanum
Galium
gallic acid
genipap
geranial
geraniol
Gigartina
glyceryl caprylate caprate
Glycolipids
Glycyrrhetinic acid
golden shower tree
goldenrod
goldenseal
Guazuma ulmifolia
heartwood
Hemidesmus
Homalomena
Houttuynia
Hyaluronidase
hydroxyquinoline
Hypericin
Immortelle
Immunoglobulin G
Indian nightshade
Indian sarsparilla
Ivy
Japanese sophora
Jatoba
juniper berries
Kachnar
Kigelia africana
knotgrass
knotweed
Labdanum
lactic acid
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoperoxidase
Laminaria
Lantana camara
Ledebouriella
Leptadenia
Leptospermum scoparium
Lilium polyphyllum
liverwort
Lophira lanceolata
loquat
Loranthus
lupulone
Lysimachia
Mahonia
manzanita
Marjoram
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Mesua
Milkweed
Monolaurin
Mountain horopito
Mountain mahogany
Mucilage
Mullein
Nasturtium
Night jessamine
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
oriental arborvitae
paederia foetida
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper Bark Tree
Plumbago zeylanica
Polypodium
Premna
privet
purple Tephrosia
queen of the meadow
Queen's Delight
quercetin
Rhododendron
Rosa laevigata
Rosmanol
Rubia cordifolia
Sapindus mukorossi
Sarcandra glabra
sarsaparilla
Scoparia dulcis
Semecarpus anacardium
Semiaquilegia
Sesquiterpenic Acid
sheep's sorrel
Shikonin
Silk protein
Silkmoth
Simaruba
Skunkvine
smilax
Smoketree
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Solanum anguivi
Spikenard
Spilanthes
Stillingia
Stone Root
Storax
Streptomyces
sweetgums
Takuna
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymol
Trypsin
turmeric
typhonium
Verbascoside
Veronica
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthoparmelia
Xanthorrhizol
Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Yellow root
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Zinc

Other health conditions supported by lactic acid

Acne
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Infection (bacterial)
Skin (infections)
Wounds and Sores

Products containing lactic acid

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.