The INKEY List Lactic Acid 10%.

Serums

About this product

An exfoliating serum formulated with lactic acid to gently remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture.

Full ingredients

Aqua (Water), Lactic Acid 10.0%, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Guru Score

68%

Mixed

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What they liked

Inexpensive lactic acid option

What they flagged

Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

What the gurus are saying

Formula quality, not percentage, is what actually moves the needle with this lactic acid serum. Bioavailability, pH balance, and the overall ingredient mix matter far more than concentration alone, so two brands at the same 10% strength can perform very differently from each other. This serum earns praise as an inexpensive option that actually delivers results, so if you're new to lactic acid exfoliation, focus on formula strength and overall quality rather than getting hung up on percentages.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take September 2025

Type

SerumsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Hyaluronic acidAHA

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google →

Opens a store search. We may earn from these links.

Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Mixed

"It's hard to get really excited about a brand when they're owned by a giant multi-conglomerate organization that's mega wealthy worth billions."

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

~Yay

"I like the inky-less lactic acid"

Mad About Skin

731k subs

~Nay

"They do another Lactic Acid 10% and things on the rooftops how it's going to transform your skin. I'm like it'll be good, but also you can get it cheaper elsewhere."

Dr Alexis Stephens

582k subs

~Yay

"Lactic acid sits right in the middle. You can find this over the counter anywhere between like five and up to ten percent. They're a really great inexpensive option for lactic acid like the INKEY List. [...] Try your best not to get too hung up on percentages because 10 percent lactic acid from two different brands can yield completely different results. Remember it's not just about the percentage, the bioavailability and the pH and overall formula really makes a big difference."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is The INKEY List Lactic Acid 10%?

An exfoliating serum formulated with lactic acid to gently remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture.

Is The INKEY List Lactic Acid 10% worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 68%.

What is The INKEY List Lactic Acid 10%'s Guru Score?

The INKEY List Lactic Acid 10% holds a Guru Score of 68%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.