Smooths KP-prone bumps and flakes on arms, thighs, and calves with 12% lactic acid in a lightweight, mostly fragrance-free lotion.
Struggling with dull, rough, or bumpy skin but nervous about harsh acids? The right lactic acid moisturizer can smooth and brighten while keeping your skin barrier calm and hydrated.
Lactic acid moisturizers are a sweet spot for people who want smoother, brighter skin without jumping into harsh peels. They gently dissolve dead skin, help fade dull patches and bumps, and add hydration at the same time.
This guide focuses on moisturizers and treatment creams that contain lactic acid, not just watery toners or peel pads. You will find options for face and body, sensitive and resilient skin, and budgets from drugstore to splurge.
Quick picks
- AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion – Best for rough, KP-prone body skin. A classic 12 percent lactic acid lotion that softens chicken skin, dry shins, and flaky arms while staying relatively lightweight and fragrance free.
- Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment – Best glow-boosting face treatment. A creamy lactic acid serum that brightens, plumps, and refines pores for normal, combination, and dry skin that can handle a medium-strength exfoliant.
- Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum – Best for dry or sensitive-leaning skin. Combines lactic acid with a cushiony squalane base so you get overnight smoothing with less sting and more moisture.
- Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream – Best budget option for stubborn texture. Uses a blend of lactic acid, other acids, and urea in a thicker cream that targets KP, rough heels, and bumpy arms on a drugstore budget.
In-depth reviews
AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion review
If your main issue is rough, flaky, or KP-prone body skin, AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion is a workhorse. It uses ammonium lactate, a form of lactic acid, at a concentration strong enough to noticeably soften bumps on the backs of arms, thighs, and calves.
The texture is a fluid lotion that sinks in fairly quickly, so it is easy to use every day after a shower. There is no added fragrance, but it has a faint tangy scent from the lactic acid itself, which some people notice more than others. Used consistently on dry, scaly patches, it can make skin feel much smoother within 1 to 2 weeks.
This is best for people who want serious smoothing on the body and are not extremely sensitive. If your skin barrier is already irritated or if you habitually over-exfoliate, you might prefer the gentler Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum on targeted areas, then follow with a bland body lotion elsewhere.
On the face, AmLactin can be too strong and sticky for many people, especially those with reactive or rosacea-prone skin. If you are curious about using it above the neck, start only on thicker areas like the jawline and avoid the nose and eye area, or simply pick one of the dedicated face options below.
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment review
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment is a splurge, but for many people it delivers the most obvious glow and refinement in texture. It is a creamy, serum-like treatment with a medium-strength level of lactic acid plus brightening ingredients like licorice and soothing plant extracts.
Good Genes is ideal for normal, combination, and slightly dry skin that looks dull, congested, or uneven. Used a few nights per week, it can help refine the look of pores, soften early fine lines, and gradually fade leftover marks from breakouts. The finish is lightly moisturizing, so some people with oilier skin can use it alone, while drier skin types will want to layer a simple moisturizer on top.
Compared with Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum, Good Genes tends to feel a bit stronger and more resurfacing, with a brighter morning-after result but more potential for tingling. If you are new to acids or know your skin reacts easily, Biossance is the safer starting point, and you could add Good Genes later if you want more power.
One drawback is the price, which is steep for a product you might use several times per week. It also has a slight, almost medicinal scent that not everyone loves, though it fades quickly after application.
Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum review
Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum is a good match for people who want lactic acid benefits without sacrificing comfort. The formula pairs lactic acid with hydrating squalane and humectants, so it feels more like a lightweight night cream than a stripping acid serum.
The texture is silky and cushiony, with a satin finish that works well alone on combination or oily skin. Dry skin can layer a richer cream on top without pilling. This product is especially nice for those who prefer to keep their routine short, since it tackles mild exfoliation and moisture in a single step.
In terms of strength, Biossance feels gentler than Sunday Riley Good Genes but more focused than a basic hydrating cream with a token amount of lactic acid. If you are nervous about irritation but still want visible smoothing overnight, this is a strong contender. Many people can tolerate it several nights a week, although starting with 2 or 3 nights and working up is still smart.
Compared with AmLactin and Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy, Biossance is primarily a face product and has a more elegant texture that layers well with serums and makeup. The main tradeoffs are cost and the fact that it is not designed to tackle very thick or scaly body areas the way those heavier creams do.
Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream review
Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream is a practical choice if you are dealing with stubborn texture on the body and want a budget-friendly fix. It combines lactic acid with other exfoliating acids and urea in a thicker cream that clings to skin and works over time on KP and rough patches.
This cream shines on areas like upper arms, thighs, buttocks, elbows, and heels where skin is thicker and bumpier. The texture is richer and more occlusive than AmLactin, which helps it hang on overnight. With steady use, many people see smoother, less bumpy skin within a few weeks, especially on long-standing keratosis pilaris.
Because Gold Bond layers several exfoliants, it can be too much for sensitive or freshly shaved skin. If you find it stingy, you can alternate it with a plain, fragrance-free body cream or switch to AmLactin, which relies on lactic acid alone and may feel somewhat milder on some people. You should also be careful not to layer this with other acids or retinoids on the same area to avoid over-exfoliation.
It does contain fragrance, which could be a downside if you are very sensitive to scent or dealing with eczema-prone skin. For fragrance-free body smoothing, AmLactin remains the safer bet.
How to choose a lactic acid moisturizer
Start by deciding where you want to use lactic acid most: face, body, or both. Face skin is thinner and often more sensitive, so gentler options like Biossance or Sunday Riley are preferable there, while stronger body formulas like AmLactin and Gold Bond are better suited to arms, legs, and heels.
Next, think about your skin type. If you are dry or dehydrated, look for lactic acid paired with richer emollients and humectants, such as squalane, ceramides, or glycerin. Combination and oily skin tend to do better with more fluid lotions or serum-texture treatments that will not feel greasy.
Consider strength and frequency too. Higher concentrations and multi-acid blends kick-start results but require shorter contact time and less frequent use. If you are just beginning with acids, choosing a mid-strength lactic acid product you can comfortably use two or three nights per week is usually better than a very strong formula you can barely tolerate.
Finally, check for potential irritants that matter to you. If your skin reacts easily, prioritize fragrance-free formulas and avoid layering lactic acid with other strong actives like retinoids or scrubby physical exfoliants on the same night.
How to use lactic acid moisturizers safely
Introduce any lactic acid moisturizer slowly. For the first two weeks, use it two nights per week on non-consecutive days and keep the rest of your routine very simple: a gentle cleanser and a basic moisturizer as needed.
On the face, apply lactic acid after cleansing on fully dry skin. If your skin is dry or reactive, you can sandwich it between layers of a bland moisturizer to further buffer the acid. On the body, apply to clean, dry skin and avoid immediately post-shave if you are prone to stinging.
Be careful with combinations. Using lactic acid on the same night as retinoids, strong vitamin C serums, or other exfoliating acids often leads to redness, burning, and barrier damage. Most people do best alternating lactic acid nights and retinoid nights, with at least one completely gentle night per week when you only use hydrating products.
Most importantly, commit to daily sunscreen on any lactic-acid-treated areas that see the sun. Acids can increase sun sensitivity, so a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on the face, neck, chest, and exposed limbs is non-negotiable if you want to protect your results and your skin health.
Final thoughts
If you want smoother, brighter skin without aggressive peels, lactic acid moisturizers are a smart place to start. For face-focused glow with a luxurious feel, Sunday Riley Good Genes or Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid are excellent options, depending on how sensitive and dry your skin is.
For body, AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion is the easiest all-around choice for softening dry, rough areas, while Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream is better when texture is stubborn and you need more intensive smoothing. Whichever you choose, go slowly, listen to your skin, and pair your lactic acid with plenty of barrier-friendly moisture and consistent sunscreen.
See also
If you think you have pushed your skin too far with acids, our guide to gentle exfoliators after overdoing acids can help you reset and repair, and our overview of skin pH basics explains why lactic acid behaves the way it does on different skin types.
- Compare your options with our picks for the best moisturizer for combination skin if your T-zone is oily but your cheeks run dry.
- If new products are causing bumps, learn how to tell if a product is breaking you out or just purging before you ditch your lactic acid.
- Pair your moisturizer with one of the best skin serums for sensitive skin to keep your routine effective but gentle.
FAQ
What does a lactic acid moisturizer actually do?
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that loosens the dead skin cells on the surface so they shed more evenly. In a moisturizer, it also draws water into the skin and can improve the look of fine lines, dryness, dullness, and bumpy texture over time.
Can I use a lactic acid moisturizer every day?
Many people can work up to daily use on the body and several times per week on the face, but it is best to start slowly. Begin with two nights per week and increase only if your skin feels comfortable, with no persistent stinging, flaking, or redness.
Is lactic acid safe for sensitive skin?
Lactic acid is often better tolerated than stronger acids like glycolic, but it can still irritate sensitive or impaired skin. If you are reactive, look for formulas that pair lactic acid with soothing, hydrating ingredients and avoid fragrance, then patch test on a small area for several nights before applying more broadly.
Should I choose lactic acid or glycolic acid?
Lactic acid has a larger molecule and tends to penetrate more slowly, so it is usually gentler and more hydrating. Glycolic acid is smaller and more penetrating, which can deliver faster resurfacing but with a higher risk of irritation, especially for sensitive or dry skin.
Can I use lactic acid moisturizer with retinol?
Yes, but not typically at the same time. Most people do best alternating nights, using lactic acid on some evenings and retinol on others, with at least one night per week reserved for just moisturizing and barrier repair to prevent over-exfoliation.
Can lactic acid help keratosis pilaris or chicken skin?
Yes, lactic acid is one of the best ingredients for keratosis pilaris because it both exfoliates and hydrates. Lotions like AmLactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion or richer creams like Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream, used consistently for several weeks, can noticeably smooth the small, rough bumps on arms, thighs, and other common KP areas.
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