Works for
ExfoliationLactic acidWorks well
“L-Lactic Acid has a gentle exfoliating and decongesting effect while nourishing the skin and locking in moisture at the same time B Vitamins and Vitamin E work in sync to strengthen the skin's integrity Leaves skin feeling cleansed, hydrated, and nourished With regular use, skin clarity, texture and tone improves Mild enough for delicate and dry skin”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: lactic acid.
CleansingAmmonium lauryl sulfate, Decyl glucoside + 1 moreCleanses gently
“L-Lactic Cleanser”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (ammonium lauryl sulfate, decyl glucoside, xanthan gum) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: ammonium lauryl sulfate, decyl glucoside
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.4–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinAmmonium lauryl sulfate~5.1–7.6%
Lactic acid~2.6–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidSodium hydroxide~2–3%
Decyl glucoside~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideChondrus crispus~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispusGlucose~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseLycium barbarum fruit extract~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Lycium barbarum fruit extractRubus idaeus fruit extract~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Rubus idaeus fruit extractVinegar~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panthenol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTocopherol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolXanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumArginine~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineAscophyllum nodosum extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Brown seaweed extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some antioxidant effect
More about Ascophyllum nodosum extractPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPropylene glycol~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Ammonium lauryl sulfate, Lactic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Decyl glucoside, Chondrus crispus, Glucose, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Rubus idaeus fruit extract, Vinegar, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Arginine, Ascophyllum nodosum extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Propylene glycol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| InstitutL-Lactic CleanserYOUR PRODUCT | SkinstitutL-Lactic Cleanser 4% | CeraVeGel Moussant Anti-Imperfections | OlivalAmino Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 53% | 51% |
| Price | $23.00 | $36.52+$13.52 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 11 | 3 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | — | Salicylic Acid | Betaine |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Simple Smoothing Gel Cleanser with 5% AHA and Hyaluronic AcidBalea Med Ultra Sensitive Cleansing Foam
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.