Ingredient glossary
Ammonium lactate
On your shelf ✓What Ammonium lactate does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Ammonium Lactate · Also: Lactic Acid Ammonium Salt
In short: Ammonium lactate delivers exfoliation and hydration, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Exfoliation, hydration
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
Genuinely worth a spot in your routine.
When your goal is deep, lasting hydration, Ammonium lactate pulls genuine weight, and the research properly backs it up. Introduce it gently, and pair it with something soothing if your skin runs sensitive.
— Maya
What it does
- exfoliation
- hydration
strong evidenceWell studied for rough, dry and keratosis-pilaris-type skin, where 12% preparations improved smoothness and hydration against vehicle in controlled trials.
On a label: works best above 5%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- dry
- very dry
- normal
Approach with care
- very sensitive
- compromised barrier
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskModerate
- pH-dependentIts effect depends on the product's pH
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveTake care
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: compromised barrier.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- humectants
- ceramides
- emollients
Ammonium lactate, answered
Is Ammonium lactate safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Ammonium lactate is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Ammonium lactate?
Approach Ammonium lactate with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive and compromised barrier. Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of Ammonium lactate actually works?
Research tends to show Ammonium lactate starts pulling its weight above 5%. If a brand prints the percentage, that is the number to look for.
During pregnancy
Treat Ammonium lactate as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.When it is worth booking →
Compare Ammonium lactate with
Can you mix Ammonium lactate with
- Vitamin C (LAA)
- Retinol
- Salicylic acid (BHA)
- Lactic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Retinal
- Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
- Retinyl Palmitate
- Retinyl Acetate
- Retinyl Propionate
- Retinyl Retinoate
- Tretinoin
- Adapalene
- Mandelic Acid
- Gluconolactone
- Lactobionic Acid
- Phytic Acid
- Citric Acid
- GHK-Cu
- Willow Bark Extract
- Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
- Papain
- Bromelain
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