La
Lactobionic Acid
Lactobionic AcidExfoliant
Second-generation PHA. The gentlest mainstream chemical exfoliant, with mild antioxidant + humectant action on top.
What it does
Lactobionic acid is a polyhydroxy bionic acid — a sugar-acid with humectant properties on top of mild surface exfoliation. It binds water in the skin and acts as a free-radical scavenger. The combined humectant + antioxidant + exfoliant effect makes it useful for sensitive, dehydrated, or post-procedural skin where harsher acids would irritate.
The evidence, graded
strongAHAs (glycolic, lactic, mandelic) need an acidic pH (typically 3.5-4) to deliver advertised exfoliation. Products with neutral or partially neutralized pH still hydrate but won't drive meaningful keratolysis.Smith 1996 · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
pha
Pairs worth knowing
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