The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%: a Guru Score of 89% from 4 experts

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.

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✓Approved

"Lactic acid is super gentle, so you get minimum irritation, but it's also hydrating, moisturizing. It's a humectant. It's going to lock in all that moisture, meaning it's perfect to use alongside retinoids. My personal favorite lactic acid and has been for the longest time is this. This is the ordinary lactic acid 5%. Now, they do two strengths. They do a five and a 10%. I think if you're using it alongside retinoids, I would stick to the 5%. Lower dose, meaning less risk of side effects and irritation, but you're still going to get those great exfoliating benefits. This 5% works perfectly for me in my routine. And this is something I would recommend most people start out with. Use it once or twice a week to again minimize the risk of sensitivity and irritation, but you'll see a real game-changing difference from your retinoid by incorporating the ordinary lactic acid 5% alongside it."

Top Pick: lactic acid

All 2 takes from Mad About Skin

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"Lactic acid is super gentle, so you get minimum irritation, but it's also hydrating, moisturizing. It's a humectant. It's going to lock in all that moisture, meaning it's perfect to use alongside retinoids. My personal favorite lactic acid and has been for the longest time is this. This is the ordinary lactic acid 5%. Now, they do two strengths. They do a five and a 10%. I think if you're using it alongside retinoids, I would stick to the 5%. Lower dose, meaning less risk of side effects and irritation, but you're still going to get those great exfoliating benefits. This 5% works perfectly for me in my routine. And this is something I would recommend most people start out with. Use it once or twice a week to again minimize the risk of sensitivity and irritation, but you'll see a real game-changing difference from your retinoid by incorporating the ordinary lactic acid 5% alongside it."

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"The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% is super gentle, works in a very similar way, and could be a great option if you wanted to go for super affordable prices."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

✓Approved

"If you're on the sensitive side there's a 5% formula, or if you're new to exfoliants this one's a nice one. It's a little bit more gentle."

Top Pick: lactic acid exfoliant

All 2 takes from No BS Beauty

The Only Products From The Ordinary I've Repurchased - And I've Tried Them All!

"In terms of actives, my exfoliant favorite is lactic acid. 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 ten percent which is a little bit stronger for more experienced skin types. So both of these are wonderful."

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"If you're on the sensitive side there's a 5% formula, or if you're new to exfoliants this one's a nice one. It's a little bit more gentle."

Sincerely Miss Ash

195k subs

✓Approved

"The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% is still lovely and will still be beneficial. Lactic acid really is great for those that have that drier skin type, but if you have that surface dead skin, you have some dryness and you also have dark spots, post-acne marks, that uneven skin tone, then this can really help to brighten up your complexion. It works pretty quickly. This can be used every day and you can use it either in your morning or evening routine, but I don't like to overuse lactic acid because I feel like you can overdo a good thing. I like to use it several times a week, and if I do have any texture then this really helps to diminish that as well. It just gives your skin this beautiful glow."

Nipun Kapur

401k subs

✓Approved

"You get a 5% Lactic Acid you also get a 10% Lactic Acid both are amazing"

All 2 takes from Nipun Kapur

The best serums for glow & anti aging | Ordinary vs Minimalist | Nipun Kapur

"You get a 5% Lactic Acid you also get a 10% Lactic Acid both are amazing"

Skincare Live! Taking your questions | Nipun Kapur

"Lactic acid 5%, you can take the one from The Ordinary. It's beginner-friendly exfoliation for dry skin."

Common questions

Frequently asked.

What is The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%?

A 5% lactic acid exfoliating serum designed to gently exfoliate, hydrate, and brighten the skin while minimizing irritation.

Is The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% worth it?

Yes. All 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 89%.

What is The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5%'s Guru Score?

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% holds a Guru Score of 89%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 independent expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.