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The Ordinary

Lactic Acid 10% + Hyaluronic Acid.

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + Hyaluronic Acid
Serums

About this product

A lactic acid exfoliating serum combining 10% lactic acid with hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts, designed to gently exfoliate while providing hydration.

Best for

Dry skinSensitive skin
Serums

The Guru Index verdict

88%

Approved

Approved · 88%
Guru Certified
Broad expert consensus
14Reviewers
14Approved
0Mixed
0Skip
#1 in Best Serums

What the gurus are saying

Gurus consistently praise this as an affordable, effective, and well-formulated lactic acid exfoliant that works for sensitive skin. The formula is properly pH-balanced, repurchased repeatedly, and valued for its gentle exfoliation paired with hydration from hyaluronic acid and supporting ingredients like ceramides and green tea. The main quibble is its watery texture, though reviewers note a little goes a long way. Some mention glycolic acid is more researched for anti-aging, but lactic acid is considered nearly as effective and gentler for sensitive skin.
Synthesized from 14 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

Hyaluronic acidAHAFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Aqua (Water), Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/​Leaf Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol

Every take, in full

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 Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Approved
"Two evenings per week use The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%, available at Target, Sephora, and CVS."
All 2 takes from Dr. Vanita Rattan
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"I do like this one from The Ordinary so I like lactic acid and I also like the mandelic acid but in addition to really make it special you want to have 7% humectant in it too that will then give you hydration at the same time as exfoliation."
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"Two evenings per week use The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%, available at Target, Sephora, and CVS."
Approved
"I've been using like a little bit of a light lactic acid, not anywhere near the eyes, but around that area. You can use this on your whole body as well. Like sometimes I'll use it on my elbows, various places."
All 4 takes from Darnell Cox | 50+ Healthy Aging Expert
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"The lactic acid is for a little bit more sensitive skin than if you're doing like an AHA like a glycolic acid or mandelic acid. If you've got super sensitive skin you want to use it on your neck. The mandelic acid is really great for that. You can use this once a week, and I'm really liking this."
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"I've been using like a little bit of a light lactic acid, not anywhere near the eyes, but around that area. You can use this on your whole body as well. Like sometimes I'll use it on my elbows, various places."
Surgery coming up? Don’t wing it
"I've been using a little bit of a light lactic acid, not anywhere near the eyes, but around that area. You can use this on your whole body as well. Like sometimes I'll use it on my elbows, various places."
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"My favorite lactic acid is The Ordinary makes a lactic acid 10% plus hyaluronic acid, so this is a lactic acid 10% plus HA which is hyaluronic acid. Lactic acid is a bigger molecule, so if you've got sensitive skin that would be something that's a little bit more tolerable."
Approved
"The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + Hyaluronic Acid has a 10% to 5% formula. In additional ingredients, this one also contains green tea, ginseng, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract, and no fragrance."
All 6 takes from No BS Beauty
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"In terms of actives, my favorite is lactic acid 10 percent. This stuff is five percent or ten percent depending on your type. I repurchase both of these. They're wonderful, they're in the proper pH, they're super affordable, and I like the fact that there's a five percent option for more sensitive skin or newer skin to exfoliants, or the 10 which is a little bit stronger for more experienced skin types. Both of these are wonderful."
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"The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA is nice, it's properly formulated, it's got a proper pH, it's a really nice exfoliant and it's ridiculously affordable even at $9.20. It's a really nice wonderful product and if you're on a budget it's a really good one to go with."
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"The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + Hyaluronic Acid has a 10% to 5% formula. In additional ingredients, this one also contains green tea, ginseng, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract, and no fragrance."
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"This is a great lactic acid serum and it's only $9 and the pH is proper, it's pretty effective, and I've repurchased this I don't know three or four times and it always does a good job for me. So if you're looking for a simple fragrance-free lactic acid serum that's in the proper pH with a good percentage of lactic acid, this is it and you can't beat that anywhere."
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"The Ordinary 10% lactic acid, super affordable I think it's around $12 or so. So if you're on a budget this is very affordable, it's still also going to be very functional."
The Only Exfoliants I've Repurchased - Exfoliants for Every Skin Issue: Aging, Acne, Tone & Texture
"It's just a super watery texture to it. A little bit goes a long way. It's basically lactic acid. For anti-aging, glycolic acid would be the more researched of the two, but lactic acid may be nearly as effective as glycolic acid, but glycolic acid is just a little bit more researched. This one is a good one."
Approved
"My favorite is their 10% lactic acid serum. I used that for the last 12 years until I came out with my own skincare that combines a lot of these things in two little bottles."
All 4 takes from HotandFlashy
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"My favorite is their 10% lactic acid serum. I used that for the last 12 years until I came out with my own skincare that combines a lot of these things in two little bottles."
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"I use The Ordinary 10% lactic acid serum and these are very lightweight and so they layer really well on top of each other."
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"The Ordinary's lactic acid serum is my favorite and it only sells for what $8 normally, and it's 23% off."
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"I used up a bottle of my Ordinary 10% Lactic Acid serum. I love this serum, it's been a holy grail for me for years now and I apply this in the morning after my vitamin C serum. It just helps to exfoliate my skin, but the other thing I love about lactic acid is that it helps your skin to produce more ceramides and ceramides are those fatty lipids that make your skin look plump. So this is a great one, really love that. Have repurchased."
Approved
"You can get a similar impact with The Ordinary 10% Lactic Acid. I have told you in lots of videos that you can get a similar impact with The Ordinary 10% Lactic Acid."
Approved
"I love the 10% lactic acid. It's one of my go-to chemical exfoliants because my skin can be dry sometimes, it can be flaky, and it can have that tight feel to the skin as well, especially more so come the winter months. Lactic acid has a larger molecule so it's not as small as glycolic, so this is going to penetrate a little bit slower into the skin, meaning it's going to be more gentle than glycolic acid. Not only does lactic acid help to exfoliate, improve brightness, and help with that uneven skin tone, but there are humectant properties to lactic acid as well, which means that it can be quite hydrating for those that have drier skin types. Lactic acid honestly is one of the best for those that have dry skin."
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All 3 takes from Sincerely Miss Ash
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"I have been using this product for several years and it's one of my favorite lactic acid serums. The Ordinary offers a 5% strength and the 10%, either one is sufficient, but the 10% is higher strength and I feel like that one works the best on my combination skin. This one would be great for those that have dry skin, combo, oily, normal skin. If you have sensitive skin, possibly you may want to go with the 5% and just start there and see how it goes. I like this one because it is a very gentle formulation. It also contains Tasmanian pepperberry and this ingredient helps to eliminate irritation and inflammation. It really is that nice added ingredient to calm the skin while the lactic acid is doing its job. I've been using this serum for several years and it never ever disappoints."
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"I love the 10% lactic acid. It's one of my go-to chemical exfoliants because my skin can be dry sometimes, it can be flaky, and it can have that tight feel to the skin as well, especially more so come the winter months. Lactic acid has a larger molecule so it's not as small as glycolic, so this is going to penetrate a little bit slower into the skin, meaning it's going to be more gentle than glycolic acid. Not only does lactic acid help to exfoliate, improve brightness, and help with that uneven skin tone, but there are humectant properties to lactic acid as well, which means that it can be quite hydrating for those that have drier skin types. Lactic acid honestly is one of the best for those that have dry skin."
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"From The Ordinary, I like to use the 10% lactic acid and they do have a 5% option as well. From my experience with using this, it has been life-changing. It really is gentle, it gives my skin this beautiful glow, and my skin also feels baby soft as well. This is something that you can use daily, but you can overdo a good thing if you overuse your chemical exfoliants. If you're someone that has more sensitive skin, this could lead to irritation, redness, and you could experience skin purging and breakouts. I would say once or twice a week is sufficient enough, but because this is more gentle, maybe you could use this a little bit more often. It just depends on your skin type, how sensitive it is, and what you're using additionally in your weekly skincare routines."
Approved
"If you've got sensitive skin lactic acid is really quite useful. You can get good ones from The Ordinary."
Approved
"As far as my favorite for a dedicated lactic acid product, The Ordinary 10% Lactic Acid serum works really well, gives me the results I want, and it's a great price point. You literally cannot beat The Ordinary; they have the best prices out there."
Approved
"The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%, I've been using lactic acid. I started at 5% but I always have this. I just always do and I wear it every single day in the morning. It provides a very light exfoliation as well. Lactic acid is one of those acids that you can use to help retain water, which is great. I notice a difference when I don't have this, so I just stick to The Ordinary because it's just lactic acid. I use it every single day, every morning. It's non-irritating. I actually found it very easy to use. You cannot go wrong with that one."
All 2 takes from Skin Obsessed Mary
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"I used this for years and it's a great product. For me ten percent I was using every day for years it's a great product. Probably do it two times a week now is what I tend to do but it is good to get it in there to make sure that you are exfoliating your skin. If you think the 10 lactic acid might be a bit too strong they do also offer a five percent."
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"The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%, I've been using lactic acid. I started at 5% but I always have this. I just always do and I wear it every single day in the morning. It provides a very light exfoliation as well. Lactic acid is one of those acids that you can use to help retain water, which is great. I notice a difference when I don't have this, so I just stick to The Ordinary because it's just lactic acid. I use it every single day, every morning. It's non-irritating. I actually found it very easy to use. You cannot go wrong with that one."
Approved
"Because it's got a large molecular size it's more gentle. It's also humectant so it hydrates. If you find most exfoliators are stripping, drying, irritating, try lactic acid. They do a 5% and they do a 10%, and I think the 10% works for almost everyone. If you've got very sensitive skin you want to start gentle, the 5% is fine, but I think most of us can start with the 10%. I love this. I use it twice a week. I find that my skin is way glowier from using lactic acid than from using glycolic acid. It's a great switch to make. I think this is a wonderful serum that I recommend to so many people and it just works wonders for me."
All 7 takes from Mad About Skin
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"I was so reluctant to make this switch about 18 months ago because I always heard that glycolic acid was more potent, lactic acid more gentle, why go for the gentle option when you can get great results with higher potency products. This though just isn't true and sometimes concentrations, potency doesn't determine the outcomes you're going to get. My glow game has never been stronger since switching from glycolic acid to lactic acid. The one that I always use is The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10%. They do a 5% version which you can start with if you've got a sensitive skin type and then maybe build up to this, but it's up to you. I started straight away with the 10% and I have never looked back. If you're finding glycolic acid is a little stripping, drying, irritating and you may be not getting the results you want, switch to lactic acid. Lactic acid being the best by The Ordinary will help with hydration because lactic acid is also a humectant as well as an exfoliator, will also help even out the skin tone a little bit quicker. You'll get that beautiful luminosity and glow back. This has definitely been a game changer for me."
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"The ordinary lactic acid, my go-to exfoliator, super gentle, hyper effective. I'm here to tell you, if you use the ordinary lactic acid 10%, you will get a glow up like no other exfoliator has given you. It's amazing. I ran out and I was waiting for the sale, so I'm going to be stocking up on multiple units of this because my skin is definitely missing it."
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"I switched about 12 months ago from glycolic acid to lactic acid, specifically The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10, and honestly I've never looked back. I feel like my glow game is on point, my skin is smoother than it's ever been, and I have far less hyperpigmentation than when I was using glycolic acid. I think sometimes we all get caught up on using the highest potency actives and strongest concentrations we could find, but actually dialing it back for a more gentle exfoliator like lactic acid in the long term just pays off. I'm definitely happy with the level of luminosity in my skin, and I credit a lot of that to lactic acid. If you're tempted to reach for glycolic acid because everyone online is fangirling about it, make the switch. Go for The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10. There's something incredibly special about this little hidden gem, and your skin will glow."
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"Because it's got a large molecular size it's more gentle. It's also humectant so it hydrates. If you find most exfoliators are stripping, drying, irritating, try lactic acid. They do a 5% and they do a 10%, and I think the 10% works for almost everyone. If you've got very sensitive skin you want to start gentle, the 5% is fine, but I think most of us can start with the 10%. I love this. I use it twice a week. I find that my skin is way glowier from using lactic acid than from using glycolic acid. It's a great switch to make. I think this is a wonderful serum that I recommend to so many people and it just works wonders for me."
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"If you want to go for something different to this then you could just use The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% once or twice a week. I think that's all you need. If we overexfoliate I think we risk increasing the amount of excess pigment. It's kind of counterintuitive because you're stressing out the skin, so that's dealing with the pigment that's already been formed by increasing cell turnover and exfoliating to remove that from the skin."
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"Lactic acid is less potent than glycolic acid, but I just think it works better. You get less sensitivity, less irritation, better glow, and it hydrates rather than stripping the skin like glycolic acid can. The Ordinary do this 10% solution for about 10 pounds, a little goes a long way. Since I've made the switch from glycolic acid to lactic acid, I've never looked back. I feel my glow game's on point, my skin is smoother than it's ever been, and it's all thanks to this little gem. It's definitely a holy grail. They do a 5% version as well, which I'd say is suitable for super sensitive skin types; most people can start with the 10%, but if you've got sensitive skin, then that 5% could work."
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"It's a really good exfoliating acid on its own, but it's also hydrating. It catches a humectant like urea, which draws in moisture to itself. Because keratosis pilaris, chicken skin, is often characterized as quite dry and quite rough, lactic acid is a great way of calming some of that dryness and not exacerbating it in a way that, say, glycolic acid could. This 10% by The Ordinary is affordable, and it's really my preferred lactic acid."
Approved
"The Ordinary's 10% lactic acid serum is a great one because lactic acid is more gentle but is still beneficial for all skin types. The 10% is a good concentration that over time with use is going to improve dullness, uneven skin texture and skin tone. After cleansing, you apply the serum and then finish it off with your moisturizing lotion. When you do this consistently, alternating with your topical retinol a few times a week, it's really going to over time better improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation as well as dullness."
All 2 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu
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"The Ordinary has lactic acid 10% plus hyaluronic acid and this is a great serum that is hydrating, really suitable for sensitive skin, it's fragrance-free, and with the hyaluronic acid you're going to get the hydration and skin plumping effect as well. Over time with use it's going to help improve dullness, skin texture and skin tone."
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"The Ordinary's 10% lactic acid serum is a great one because lactic acid is more gentle but is still beneficial for all skin types. The 10% is a good concentration that over time with use is going to improve dullness, uneven skin texture and skin tone. After cleansing, you apply the serum and then finish it off with your moisturizing lotion. When you do this consistently, alternating with your topical retinol a few times a week, it's really going to over time better improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation as well as dullness."
Approved
"The Ordinary's lactic acid serum is just as good as a fraction of the price. Objectively speaking, using it, trying it out, it works, it's not bad."
Approved
"Lactic acids are moisturizing and exfoliating at the same time, which is really important when you're aging because your skin becomes more dry. You can get the one from The Ordinary which is going to be relatively affordable."
Approved
"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 Ordinary. But try your best not to get too hung up on percentages because 10% 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."
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