6 Best Lactic Acid Serums for Gentle Exfoliation and Lasting Glow

03.06.2026, 03:40 allure.com

If you’ve ever wanted the glow-boosting benefits of an exfoliating acid without the intensity of stronger options, the best lactic acid serums may be your sweet spot, as lactic acid is generally gentler than other alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, thanks to its larger molecular size. “Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliating acid that’s naturally derived from dairy products and is part of the AHA family,” says Mamina Turegano, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans. (Despite its milk-related origins, the lactic acid used in skin care today is typically synthetically produced.) “Lactic acid dissolves away dead skin cells to make skin look smoother, brighter, and more radiant—but unlike some stronger acids, it also has hydrating properties, so it tends to be more tolerable for dry or sensitive skin,” she says.

Whether you’re dealing with post-breakout marks, flaky patches, uneven tone, or simply want a glowier complexion, there’s a lactic acid serum for every skin concern. These are the formulas our editors and dermatologists recommend most.

MARA

Amazon

Sephora

Bluemercury

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Mara Flower Acid Algae Serum

Why it's worth it: The name Mara references the Sea of Marmara in Turkey, where the brand’s founder—a former beauty journalist—fell down a deep rabbit hole researching marine ingredients, especially algae. According to our tester, that fascination clearly paid off in this Best of Beauty Award winner: the Flower Acid Algae Serum. At the heart of the formula is the brand’s signature algae blend, along with barrier-supporting plankton and mineral-rich French seawater, which keep skin feeling hydrated, balanced, and just a little more springy. Flower acids from daisy and hibiscus work alongside anti-inflammatory helichrysum (a medicinal plant harvested in Corsica, a Mediterranean island belonging to France) to gently refine texture, but the real resurfacing power comes from 11% lactic acid derived from beet sugar as well as gluconolactone, a gentle polyhydroxy acid.

While it’s the highest concentration of lactic acid on our list, the acid’s naturally humectant properties make the serum feel cushy and moisturizing. “Unlike many exfoliants, this multi-acid serum can brighten and refresh skin without drying out the skin barrier,” Sean Alemi, MD, double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in New York City, previously told Allure.

Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen

“I use this serum every other night in place of my prescription Tretinoin. After cleansing and before moisturizer, I massage a small pump into my skin from my forehead down my neck. As someone with easily irritated skin, this never causes the usual side effects I experience with potent serums, like inflammation and/or flaking. Instead, it leaves my skin feeling smooth and looking glowy. I'll admit that $74 for an exfoliating serum is a bit pricey, but I promise it's worth the investment! I've recommended it to so many friends and family, and they've all agreed that the results are great. Plus, it won a Best of Beauty Award a few years back, so we all agree it's good!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director

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Sunday Riley

Amazon

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

Why it's worth it: Cosmetic chemist and formulator Sunday Riley is famously meticulous about her formulas. As a result, few products have earned the level of devotion that Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment has. While lactic acid is great for all skin types, “mature skin often benefits from exfoliation that improves dullness and texture without overly compromising the skin barrier, and this lactic acid treatment delivers a smoother, brighter, more radiant look while still feeling relatively hydrating and cosmetically elegant on the skin,” says Dr. Turegano.

That balance is exactly what makes this 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner stand out: Within minutes, skin looks plumper, giving you a flash facial-level glow. Brightening licorice fades discoloration and post-breakout marks over time, while soothing arnica and prickly pear extract keep skin feeling calm and comfortable as the acids get to work.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

“I can count on one hand the products that I routinely go back to, and me and Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment have been BFFs for about a decade now. As I enter the last year of my 30s, I depend on this more than ever to keep my dry, sensitive skin from flaking and looking dull. It delivers consistent exfoliation and keeps rough patches at bay and despite being an acid treatment, it's never irritated my skin.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

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Paula's Choice

Amazon

Dermstore

Sephora

Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Paula’s Choice 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

Why it's worth it: If your sensitive skin practically starts turning red at the mere mention of “exfoliating acids,” Paula’s Choice 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant is the kind of formula that might finally change your mind about them. “It is a hybrid alpha hydroxy acid solution at a lower concentration of lactic acid (2%) than many traditional products, which reduces the risk of irritation,” says Carlos Vieira, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia. The other key ingredient is mandelic acid, which Dr. Vieira explains is a high-molecular-weight molecule that penetrates skin slowly, resulting in gentler exfoliation overall.

If uneven tone and lingering post-breakout marks are among your main skin-care concerns for your sensitive skin, Dr. Turegano is especially a fan of this formula. “Mandelic acid tends to be a little gentler and more tolerable for people prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, while the lactic acid improves radiance and smoothness without feeling overly aggressive,” she says. Together, the acids smooth texture, fade discoloration, clear away dull surface buildup, and firm skin—without the stingy aftermath.

Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards

“Mandelic acid is often considered the go-to gentle exfoliant for sensitive skin, though it’s rare to find a mandelic acid serum on the market, let alone one that’s both effective and truly non-irritating. After using it for about a month now, it's done absolute WONDERS for my skin. Over time, using this gentle exfoliant every other day has given me a flawless, radiant complexion, to the point that I feel confident enough to go to the office without makeup. My rule of thumb is to pair an exfoliating treatment with an intensely hydrating cream or mask, because after exfoliation, my skin benefits most from a deep, replenishing hydration boost. This may be biased, but I’ve come to trust that Paula’s Choice delivers the results I’m looking for, so once I finish my bottle, I will need to re-up ASAP!” —Bianca Richards, social media manager

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Shani Darden

Amazon

Sephora

Revolve

Why it's worth it: “Shani Darden has magic fingers,” says associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey of the brand’s Triple Acid Signature Peel, while former news editor Nicola Dall’Asen once told us she wished she could keep “bulk stashes” of Retinol Reform on hand at all times. So when it came to the Best of Beauty-winning Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum, our expectations were sky-high—and it still managed to exceed them. Featuring 9% lactic acid, this serum smooths rough texture, boosts radiance, and helps skin look clearer and more even. Gluconolactone adds an extra layer of exfoliation to improve tone and clarity—especially for blemish-prone skin—without making the formula feel overly aggressive. And because over-exfoliating acne-prone skin is never the goal, a soothing blend of hyaluronic acid, aloe, and green tea replenishes hydration and reduces redness, so skin looks calmer and balanced.

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The Ordinary

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Sometimes dry skin isn’t just lacking moisture—it’s also holding onto a stubborn layer of dead skin cells that leaves your complexion looking dull, flaky, and rough, no matter how much moisturizer you slather on. To address that, the Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 5% + HA Exfoliating has “a mild 5% concentration that still gives gentle exfoliation, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate offset some of the dryness and irritation that exfoliating acids can sometimes cause,” says Dr. Turegano. The formula also includes Tasmanian pepperberry, an antioxidant-rich botanical that further calms sensitivity. And if your skin becomes accustomed to lower concentrations and is ready to graduate to something stronger, there’s also a 10% version that Dr. Turegano recommends for tackling more stubborn dullness and uneven texture.

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Biossance

Amazon

Sephora

Why it's worth it: Combination skin can be confusing to treat: Your T-zone could be slick and shiny, yet your cheeks might feel tight and dehydrated. Biossance’s Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum rebalances skin by pairing 10% lactic acid with sugarcane-derived squalane. Together, “its higher lactic acid percentage is powerful enough to address texture and clogged pores, while the squalane maintains hydration so the drier areas of your skin don’t feel tight or depleted afterward,” says Dr. Turegano. Clover extract further boosts cell turnover while helping skin recover from daily stressors like UV exposure, blue light, and pollution. As for the sensorial experience, “it’s on the richer, thicker side, but still layers nicely under other skin-care products,” adds Dr. Vieira.

While the formula skips synthetic fragrance, it does contain a touch of lavender oil, which lends the serum its subtle spa-like scent and offers anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits.