Does the trick
I am still early on my skincare journey and wary of exfoliants - this was great though and I’d definitely order it again. I used it about twice a week and my sk...
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% SIZE: 30ml 4.5 of 312 reviews
SIZE: 30ml
4.5 of 312 reviews
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$13.50
4 installments of $3.38
Own it from $10/week
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Lactic Acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid that exfoliates the skin. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% offers very mild exfoliation and is supported with a purified Tasmanian pepperberry known to reduce signs of inflammation and sensitivity that is often associated with exfoliation.
- Cruelty Free
- Artificial Fragrance Free
- Sulphate Free
- Vegan
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- Age Prevention
Skin Concern:
- Acne, breakouts and blackheads
- Dull, dry or dehydrated skin
- First signs of ageing
- Pigmentation, uneven skin tone
- Wrinkles and loss of firmness
Skin Type:
- Dry
- Normal to dry
- Normal to oily
- Oily
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The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%
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The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% Reviews
4.5 of 312 reviews
89% recommend this product
Most Helpful Criticism
Too harsh for my sensitive skin
I really wanted to love this product but it was just too harsh for my very sensitive skin. My skin felt sore after using, even when I only used a small amount i...
Help get rid of bumps
I used this on the sides of my thighs to help with little bumps, it works well as an exfoliate.Good
An inexpensive and non-irritating product for acne prone skin.Seems to be ok
Haven't used this for long, so far so good. It seems to be ok.Skin definitely looks brighter
Skin is definitely looking brighter and more even the day after using this! I don’t think it’ll get much better with prolonged use, but I’m impressed for the priceDoes the trick
I am still early on my skincare journey and wary of exfoliants - this was great though and I’d definitely order it again. I used it about twice a week and my skin was fine with it.Nice
I have sensitive skin and use it once a week, very sparingly and have seen nice results and no reactionLove this product
Bought this looking for a lighter entry level lactic acid formulation, at a low price point incase I had a reaction and it was wasted. Am so pleased to say that this did not irritate my skin at all, and has given me the confidence to move up to the 10% formulation. Skin felt and looked smoother and clearer almost instantly with this, I loved it.Lactic acid
Makes my skin so smooth and shiny. Such a great gentle chemical exfoliator that helps to smooth and fix texture.Works well but be careful
Stronger doesn't always mean better! I thought I would try a stronger AHA and even though it works well on my skin, I think it is too strong. It took awhile for my skin to get used to it and I think it's doing more to my skin than it needs. Would not recommend for people with sensitive skin - use Mandelic instead.Not sure
I started using this because I started having pimples which i dont usually get. I do have combo skin i think. Anyway, at first it stung the tiniest bit so I guess it was working then my skin got used to it but after that I kept breaking out so I stopped using it. Not sure if the product was at fault or if it was something else so I dont recommend this to those with really sensitive skin.10/10
This product makes my skin feel so smooth and even! I love how hydrating it is too.Great Product
Does not really burn much. Nice consistency on the skin and works well with hyaluronic acid. Definitely recommend.Wonders
I got this because my skin was peeling and my makeup kept separating with my skin flaking. I definitely did not apply daily, just once or twice a week. And completely fixed it. I applied this with the hyaluronic acid and niacinimide products. Would recommendGood
helped smooth out my skin toneNice
Good as an acne treatmentGoing to order the stronger one
I was I bit nervous getting into the acid exfoliant game, but this was great as a first time product for me. I started using it 2-3 times a week after washing my face before bed and then layered on the niacinamide serum on top and gradually built up to using it every night. I don't feel any sort of sensation or peeling and no magical results for me yet, but I'm planning to test out the high stren...Read MoreGood as an acne treatment
This product is quite strong so be careful how you use it. It definitely works.holy grail
LOVEEE THIS for my acne prone skinGood gentle exfoliant
Lactic acid is one of the more gentle AHA exfoliants, meaning it might take a bit longer to see results but it can be a better option for sensitive skin. I absolutely destroyed my skin barrier by over-using BHAs and other acne fighting products. After taking a break from exfoliants to repair that barrier, I started up again by using this product. It took a bit longer to see results, but it does he...Read MoreGood
this helped smooth out my skin tone and textureA great introduction to AHA products
I am really fond of AHA products by the Ordinary and this is definitely one of my go to products. I use it on a daily basis every evening together with a few other serums. It evens out my skin tone and helps to keep Mt acne at bay. Highly recommended!good for hyperpigmentation
this helped smooth out my skin tone and textureGreat for sensitive skin
No flakiness since using this, suitable for very sensitive skinGood mild lactic
Was really looking forward to this acid but found it took some time to show results. When I finished this one, I immediately went up to the 10% and definitely felt the differenceGreat AHA Acid!
I use this AHA acid as part of my nighttime routine. It doesn't sting and you don't need to wash it of. It's great for removing dead skin cells and increasing your skin turnover rate to bring out a natural youthful glow in your skin. I highly recommend it as it's a really affordable option for those looking to level up their skincare game on a budget!Greta for beginners
I loved this product when I started out with skincare. Eventually moved to the 10% as I wanted something strong. Definitely is amazing for people with sensitive skin though.Not sure
Only used this products a few times so far. It is my first chem exfoliator so I am happy that its gently enough to not damage my skin. However, I use it in the PM and in the morning my sking is awfully oily and I hate that... I think imma change to another acid.gentle on skin
feels good on my skin and my best friend with acne raves about this productGentle on skin
This product is super gentle on my skin, no irritation at all. Overall I haven't noticed much of a difference, I think maybe it is too gentle for my skin, will try the 10% next time. Great price thoughGentle
This product felt gentle on my skin. It was a great way to start introducing an AHA to my routine.No irritation, good start
I just started using and I've had no irritation and like it so far. The bottle goes a long way as you only need a few drops.It works!
I haven’t really used this over a long period of time but after a week or two of using this product I can see that it has actually faded some of my acne scars and has also helped me get rid of some of my acne. Recommend buying.lactic acid
the ordinary's range of chemical exfoliants can be quite harsh but from my experience, this one is relatively gentle. It kept my skin clear from flakes and breakouts (I have combo skin) and didn't irritate it.A Little harsh for sensitive skin
I found this too harsh for my sensitive facial skin, it caused redness and a subsequent breakout. However i have been using it on my hands and knees since then to use it up, and i found it reduced dryness and wrinkles.Not my favorite
I must say I was a little disappointed after I have tried this product. I have loved so many other Ordinary products. It did not seem to do anything for me. Nor i like the texture of the serum - very watery. I might try a stronger formula next time in this range.Amazing !!
great product and it did wounders to my skinPregnancy acne help
I bought this a while ago during a sale, but wasn't too sure how to use it, so I sort of forgot about it until I got pregnant as it's supposed to be safe.
I've been having some issues with pregnancy acne and little bumps on my face. Initially I had big break out along my jaw line and across my nose and cheeks, so I stopped using for a few days, thinking it was making my skin worse- b...Read MoreGentle
This is extremely gentle. However, I could not see any vast improvement in my skin.Gentle introduction to AHAs
Fairly gentle exfoliant, I had a little redness in my skin quick quickly faded. Really makes a difference to your skin! Super affordabe too!Great for beginners
This was the first product I used when I just started out with exfoliation and it was very effective in brightening and clearing my skin. I have dry and sensitive skin, so I initially used it weekly, then 2 times a week, then every second day. This process worked well for me and I did not experience any irritation.Works SO WELL!!!
This product is incredible for acne, acne scars and hyperpigmentation. It made a drastic difference with my skin tone and helps with brightening and achieving that all rounded morning glow! It only tingles a bit on your first application but after you build up tolerance, it doesn't cause any sort of negative sensation. I brought it into my routine by applying first twice a week and then slowly inc...Read MoreGreat exfoliator for sensitive skin for when other microfoliants don't work
I started using this lactic acid as a gentle exfoliator after even the gentlest microfoliants left my skin inflamed with breakouts. After slowly phasing the lactic acid in over a few weeks I now use it bi-weekly, combining a few drops with The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 before my nightime moisturiser. Now my skin tone is looking more even and smooth with no irritation apart from a slight tin...Read MoreFavourite AHA
I'm not sure why, but lactic acid works much better for my skin than glycolic. I used this gradually (once a week, building up to 3x) and noticed an improvement in texture and evenness of skin tone.Very impressed with this product
I have used this once and I am already so happy with this product. I woke up with skin that looked bright, refreshed and smooth. I can’t wait to see what this product does for my skin in the long run!Tighter skin - good starter product
This is a great starter as doesn’t irritate skin. You just feel a slight tightening once it has dried on skin but with moisturiser over top feels fine. I think I will try the 10% next time.My skin has never looked better!
I've very recently switched from physical exfoliants to this chemical exfoliant and my skin has never looked better. It's gentle enough that I can use it every second day, alternating with vitamin A. I follow up with a hydrating serum and then moisturiser and the next morning my skin is soft and smooth. It's helping reduce the redness on my cheeks, some scaring and pigmentation and the milia under...Read MoreExcellent serum
I ended up buying this one because Adore was out of the 10% Lactic when I was looking out for a new serum. This is amazing for the price! Really cleared up my skin and had that exfoliating effect that you notice in the morning. My skin can handle stronger actives so I will probably try other things once I am finished but this is a great starter serum.WOW
This is such an awesome peel and look at the price! It’s amazing and performs so well against more exspensive brands! Everyone needs to give this a goNot 100% sure but i think it is working
I have mild acne scars on my cheeks and i've been looking for products to get rid of them. I feel like this lactic acid really is cleansing my skin; you might feel your skin gets a bit worse (apparently that's the process of cleansing) after you use it, but after a few weeks my face does feel 'cleaner'.Great
This has smoothed out my skin and doesn't dry itGentle and great result
It does not irritate my skin. I also use AHA with the ordinary glycolic acid but I prefer this lactic acid. More gentle. My skin is glowing after using it at day time and HA 2% + B5 in night timeRough bumpy skin? Try this lactic acid serum!
This works so well at gently exfoliating skin. Best lactic acid product I've tried. Use 2-3 times a week and you can expect to see results!Acne treatment
This is has worked wonders for my hormonal acne, wish I had found it sooner.Love it !!
Helped to clearness up my fungal acne and helped to also smooth out the overall texturePerfect for Sensitive Skin
I recently switched from Go-To Exfoliating Swipey's as they contained alcohol which was too drying for my skin when left on overnight. These also have 5% lactic acid so I thought this product would be a good alternative. I was not wrong - my skin feels so soft the next morning, no dryness like I had with Go-To and it's also much better value. This would be a great beginner exfoliant for someone wi...Read Moregentle exfoliation
This i think was a good choice as a beginner to exfoliating acids. It's gentle - no tingling/stinging - but i can see the change in my skin - looks brighter & feels nice and soft.gentle chemical exfoliator for sensitive skin
easy to use, gently swipe across face avoiding eyes after cleansing and before serums at night. Non irritating for sensitive skin. Do not use right after hair removal or if you have any open cuts/acne as it does burn a little! I use it 2 to 3 times a week, it softens skin with added HA. I pair with niacinamide and HA and moisturiser. Do follow with SPF in daytime.Acne treatment
This is has worked wonders for my hormonal acne, wish I had found it sooner.
Great for non-sensitive skin!
I used this product on myself a couple of times, however my skin reacted incredibly bad to it and was inflamed for a couple of days. However, my sister used this and it has helped her skin significantly! She said that this product worked wonders and made her complexion so much brighter and with less pigmentation. The only suggestion is not to use this if you have sensitive skin.great introduction to peels!!
First I was super scared about this product because I have really sensitive but combo skin, and I first mixed a few drops of this with the innisfree green tea seed serum overnight, and woke up to soft and smoother skin- wasn't dry or irritated at all. To this day, I use this product as a spot treatment because it always does the job for textured skin- and I prefer doing this because I usually use ...Read MoreReally good product
I have really sensitive skin so I was a little scared to use this product but I have had no bad reactions which is amazing. Works a treat, makes me skin feel really soft and renewed. The 3rd day of using this my skin did go a little flaky but after that it settles down.lactic
makes my skin look incredibly baby soft and smooth! I love how gentle it is too, I don't experience a ton of dryness the next day after I use this overnightDid the job
This was a nice cheap alternative that did the job for my skin. I have sensitive skin and it didn't cause any breakouts.Gentle chemical exfoliant perfect for sensitive skin
Super gentle for sensitive skin - doesn't irritate or dehydrate. helps with uneven tones and spreads far, so you only need a few drops.Baby soft SKIN!
I reached out to a skincare specialist from Adore Beauty and they recommended this product to me as an exfoliant to use a few nights a week. I've been using it for a month and I am not looking back! It did tingle the first time I used it, but once I applied my moisturizer that went away! My skin the next morning is SO smooth and noticeably tighter and plumper so my makeup application looks FLAWLES...Read MoreInstant results!!
Saw results morning after first use and continuing to see improvements months later. Skin was noticeably smoother the next morning and regular use has seen reduction in fine lines and evened out skin tone.
Currently on 3rd bottle and still get some very mild stinging sensation some days (maybe one a fortnight) which goes away very quickly so will probably keep using this strength for...Read MoreSmoothing
I've only used this a couple of times but it pretty much instantly improved the texture of my skin! I had a couple of slightly rough patches around my nose that moisturising wasn't fixing, and I'd bought this with the intention of switching to a chemical exfoliant. Seems to do the job. I didn't find it irritating either so very happy with it so far.Great!
I've been using this lactic acid for a couple of weeks now - I've never used this sort of exfoliant before so I was unsure/concerned about my skin's sensitivity. I'm so glad I picked it up! A couple of drops does the trick - no issues with sensitivity, my face has been glowing since I started using it.Great starting AHA!
Great to start out with AHA! Really nice consistency too. Love the packaging and bottle.Perfect Gentle Exfoliator!
Having super sensitive skin has always made exfoliation close to impossible for me, for years my skin couldn't tolerate anything but this product changed it all! Super gentle and allowed me to gradually build up my skins tolerance by using a little more over time, eventually now using the 10% formula! This combined with the niacinamide serum has significantly reduced my acne scarring and sped up m...Read Moreamazing
super gentle on the skin, easy to spread and very effective. amazing sustainable packaging. great price and worth every cent! definitely recommendAmazing!!
This is such a good product! I had milia for a while (2 years approx) and really was looking for something to remove it and at first i was a bit skeptical on if this would work but after a couple of weeks my milia is almost completely gone! Totally reccomend!100/10!! WOULD RECOMMEND
I love this product as it really cleared up my skin in just a couple of weeks of using it. I would really recommend this with people with acne prone skin types but just warning it will Sting when you first use it.Very Smoothing
I have been using the 5% Lactic acid solution every night before bed for about 6 weeks - I love it! I use to physically exfoliate my skin with a gritty wash, but I'm completely stopped and am chemically exfoliating instead. It has a smoothing effect & I can see the difference - it's more shiny and fresh. It has a slightly drying effect when first applied, but then I apply another serum & moistur...Read MoreBest product
Perfect way to exfoliate your skin especially for beginners, this was the first chemical exfoliant I used and was so impressed, used once a week every week and was amazingWill never scrub again
This is outstanding. I use it at night at the beginning of my regime, after a shower or washing my face. I don’t rinse, and follow it with hyaluronic acid for moisturising. I wake up feeling bright and smooth. I haven’t loved my skin ever before this. I bought it for my mum and have recommended to all my friends.Substitution for physical exfoliation
My skin is sensitive and acne-prone, so I don't usually exfoliate much cuz I don't want to irritate my skin more and destruct my skin barrier. This is a great exfoliating product to start with, since it has low percentage of AHA. I'm definitely buying the lactic acid 10% after finishing this bottle.in love!
I've heard this was a little harsh on some people so I took this product with a grain of salt, but its amazing! I saw results in a week or two and it didn't cause any breakouts and it didn't dry out my skin at all!My favourite AHA serum!
I love The Ordinary and this is my favourite product by The Ordinary! I have super sensitive eczema-prone skin so this Lactic Acid serum works wonders on my skin since it is a very gentle form of AHA. It has minimised my pores and my skin is so much smoothing! I recommend it to all my friends!The only exfoliant!
My skin is sensitive and doesn’t tolerate exfoliation very well. I was concerned at first it would react but it didn’t. I use once a week and by morning my skin feels smooth. My next purchase I will go up in strength as I feel like it could be a tad more exfoliating now I am used to it.Perfect exfoliant
Even though I already owned The Ordinary's glycolic acid, I bought this product to have something a little less harsh on my skin. I was using the glycolic acid about every other day, and realized soon that I was definitely over-exfoliating. My skin was becoming oily in areas it normally wasn't -even shiny in some places. Since switching to the Lactic Acid 5%, I haven't had any of these issues! I'm...Read MoreEvens skin and improves texture!
This product is amazing! Both my sister (18) and I (20) saw results in less than a week. I have combination skin and struggle with small bumps on my forehead. This product has noticeably reduced the bumps and my skin feels much smoother.It's a good time
Very happy with my purchase so far. I have quite sensitive skin and this product has not irritated it at all! I use this in my PM routine, after I have cleansed and it has been a great toner/exfoliate.Exfoliates
A gentle chemical exfoliation that doesn’t overly dry you out thanks to the hyaluronic acidGentle!
Surprisingly Gentle! I have super sensitive skin with redness and was scared to use this! but found it to be quite good! Didn't irritate my skin or flare me up and left my skin smooth and exfoliated. I only use once or twice a weekToo harsh for my sensitive skin
I really wanted to love this product but it was just too harsh for my very sensitive skin. My skin felt sore after using, even when I only used a small amount in the evening - with plenty of time for my skin to rest overnight. It may just be that my skin type can't handle a chemical exfoliant of this sort.Really great!
I love this stuff - combined with the Niacinamide, my skin has cleared up so much. I used to have little lumps and bumps of stuff under the skin around my chin and now it's nearly gone entirely. The texture of my skin also feels better using this and I notice a difference if I don't apply for a few nights in a row. Really love it and would recommend and will be repurchasing.Great starting product
I'm new to AHA world so I wanted to start off with a product that would gently ease me into chemical exfoliating. I started off using this product once a week and progressively increased this to once every 2-3 days. The first time I used it, I noticed that I had a small purging face the next day (which is normal, especially for someone who never uses any chemical products). However, after a couple...Read MoreNot for me
I ordered this thinking it might be good to add to my routine. I tried it one night, making sure not to add any other actives at the same time and this was the only new product. It gave me itchy lumps, so I seem to be allergic to it. I’ll be going back to alpha h gold. But this isn’t the product’s fault, I just seem to have an allergy. Maybe do a patch test if you have very sensitive skin.Great lactic acid
Have been using this about every second night and because the 5% was sold out I just went straight to this one and have found it great. I haven’t had any reaction or itchiness. I feel like it’s smoothing out my skin and brightening spots when I use it.Not for me but can see why it is good..
I have an oily t zone and was recommended by Deciem to try the 5% Lactic Acid to reduce the annoying little forehead "bumps" to remove any dead skin cells clogging up my pores. I've used the whole bottle and whilst it has made a slight change, the results are not significant... I might try the higher strength 10% + HA 2% or the Ordinary Glycolic Acid.A personal fave
This is such a good product to have on hand. Strong but not harsh, does it's job! It gives beautiful results. I truly love the Ordinary!Gentle
This is great for people first starting AHA to allow their skin to get used to it. Only use this product 1-2x. however, I don't think it's a holy grail and is better actives out there :) Great for first starting which is what I did. (LASTS FOREVER BTW im impressed)gentle on skin!
it doesnt irritate at all. even though i use this more on the side of my arms instead of face.... really good exfoliator productFirst Chemical Exfoliant
This was my first time using any form of chemical exfoliant. I have normal/combination skin but a lot of congestion on the apples of my cheeks and my forehead between my eyebrows.
I was slightly hesitant but did some research and saw that lactic acid was a mild choice and this concentration seemed to also be good for beginners. I've been using it in the evening every 3 days since purchasing...Read MorePretty good
I think it’s a good starter for people that have never used a chemical exfoliant before because it’s pretty gentle. I would say just to try using it once a week first and then slowly build it up so that you can built up a tolerance to it. Overall, really gentle and does a good job at exfoliating the skin for a smoother refined texture.Every day low key exfoliator for beginners
Wanted to get in to a chemical exfoliator for daily use and been using the ordinary products. After listening to beauty IQ podcast I opted for lactic acid rather than glycolic or salicylic acid because that’s meant to be the best to start with! The 10% was sold out on here so I opted for this 5% but I’m really glad I started with 5% as someone very new to chemical exfoliating. Been using 2-3 times...Read Morevery gentle exfoliant
very gentle and great for first time users will not irritate.. .. leaves skin feeling smooth niceHelps fade scars fast
I've been using this for about a week and a half now on my face. Firstly, it's very gentle and doesn't irritate my skin. Secondly, I've noticed that it's dramatically reduced the appearance of a scar I had on my forehead from popping a pimple (yuck), even though it's only been a week. For the price, I think it's a nice product to have in your skincare arsenal. I use it alongside a glycolic face s...Read MoreWonderful brightening and pore tightening, some purging and acclimating
This was my first time using a facial acid and I found it wonderfully rewarding - I would put it on the evening and the next day, even for up to two or three days, my skin would look clear and bright. After a few months of use, (two? three?) I found my pores very small and not very noticeable - they were still there but measurably better.
Excellent product, though, I did find I go through a ...Read More
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