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
emergingAHAs (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
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