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Lac6.0

Lactic Acid (topical) Research

Too few graded studies

37 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Too few graded studies

Lactic Acid (topical) doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.

Most evidence is from high-quality randomised trials published 1996–2026 with a typical study size of 40 participants.

Based on 37 studies · 31 RCTs · 253 total participants

Confidence

Moderate confidence

By outcome

Skin healthImproved hydration via ceramide stimulation plus smoother, brighter exfoliated surface (cosmetic, not a health outcome) · 4-12 weeks · Modest improvement in photodamaged texture and fine lines at peel/higher strengths (cosmetic) · 8-22 weeks
Too few graded studies5 studies
Skin tone & pigmentationSome improvement in mottled pigmentation, but weaker than glycolic acid (cosmetic) · 8-16 weeks
Too few graded studies4 studies
Safety profile
Too few graded studies3 studies
Recovery
Too few graded studies1 study
Glucose & metabolic
Too few graded studies1 study
Respiratory & lung
Too few graded studies1 study
Pain & analgesia
Too few graded studies1 study

Steady research

10 studies in the last 5 years

199620112026

1Systematic Review2021

Plummer EL, Bradshaw CS, Doyle M, Fairley CK, Murray GL, Bateson D · PLoS One (2021)

No plain-language summary recorded for this citation — open the paper to read its abstract.

Lactic Acid (topical) Research

Too few graded studies

Lactic acid-containing products for bacterial vaginosis and their impact on the vaginal microbiota: A systematic review.

A phase I randomized safety study of a single-size silicone rubber diaphragm used with or without a lactic-acid-containing diaphragm gel.

Treatment of vitiligo with topical 15% lactic acid solution in combination with ultra violet-A.

Treatment of distal subungual onychomycosis with a topical preparation of urea, propylene glycol and lactic acid: results of a 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Efficacy of a new tonic containing urea, lactate, polidocanol, and glycyrrhiza inflata root extract in the treatment of a dry, itchy, and subclinically inflamed scalp.

Placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a urea/lactic acid-based topical keratolytic agent for prevention of capecitabine-induced hand-foot syndrome: North Central Cancer Treatment Group Study N05C5.

Clinical evaluation of 40% urea and 12% ammonium lactate in the treatment of xerosis.

Treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp with a topical solution of urea, lactic acid, and propylene glycol (K301): results of two double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled studies.

Acceptability of and treatment preferences for recurrent bacterial vaginosis-Topical lactic acid gel or oral metronidazole antibiotic: Qualitative findings from the VITA trial.

Do urea/ammonium lactate combinations achieve better skin protection and hydration than either component alone?

Metronidazole with Lactacyd vaginal gel in bacterial vaginosis.

A comparative study of lactic acid 10% and ammonium lactate 12% lotion in the treatment of foot xerosis.

Ammonium lactate 12% lotion versus a liposome-based moisturizing lotion for plantar xerosis. A double-blind comparison study.

Comparison of salicylic acid and urea versus ammonium lactate for the treatment of foot xerosis. A randomized, double-blind, clinical study.

An evaluation of the moisturizing and anti-itch effects of a lactic acid and pramoxine hydrochloride cream.

The Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of DL-Lactic Acid Syrup (Tonsitin) in Children With Recurrent Tonsillitis: A Pilot Study.

Lactic acid gel versus metronidazole for recurrent bacterial vaginosis in women aged 16 years and over: the VITA RCT.

A double-blind clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of pure lanolin versus ammonium lactate 12% cream for the treatment of moderate to severe foot xerosis.

Short- and long-term effects of two emollients on itching and skin restoration in xerotic eczema.

Effectiveness and tolerability of lactic acid vaginal gel compared to oral metronidazole in the treatment of acute symptomatic bacterial vaginosis: a multicenter, randomized-controlled, head-to-head pilot study.