Affordable Lactic Acid Products From The Drugstore -All Under $25

Best Drugstore Lactic Acid Products

We independently select and review the products we recommend. If you make a purchase using our affiliate links below, we may earn a commission.

Lactic acid stands out within the alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) family as the perfect fit for people with sensitive skin. Unlike glycolic acid, it offers gentle exfoliation, which makes it suitable for all skin types too.

As a chemical exfoliant, lactic acid helps shed off dead skin cells, revealing a smoother skin texture. It eliminates dry, rough patches, reduces the appearance of fine lines, and helps fade hyperpigmentation as well.

Known for being the gentlest AHA, lactic acid is the best option to exfoliate sensitive skin without irritation. It’s also unique in that it has hydrating benefits for the skin, resulting in plump, bouncy skin.

With this much to offer, lactic acid sounds like it should be expensive. Well, it can be. But thankfully, there are affordable lactic acid products you can try from the drugstore.

From serums to cleansers, below are the best drugstore lactic acid products.

Best Serum: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA - Best Drugstore Lactic Acid Products

Well, this one still reigns supreme for being the cheapest and the most effective lactic acid serum. Also available in 5%, the serum targets texture irregularities by regulating skin turnover. It refines the complexion and reduces the look of enlarged pores, fine lines, and dark spots.

And it does that without drying your skin all thanks to hyaluronic acid. Plus, the formula contains an anti-inflammatory, soothing agent, Tasmanian pepper berry, to mitigate irritation as well. It’s water-based and non-comedogenic. So it’s suitable for all skin types. It’s an effective and equally affordable lactic acid serum.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, hyaluronic acid
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, alcohol-free, oil-free

Best Cleanser: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Exfoliating Cleanser - Best Drugstore Lactic Acid Products

Exfoliating cleansers, as they need to be used frequently, might sound scary. But this one is gentle enough for daily use. The classic Hydro Boost gel cleanser is enriched with lactic acid as well as glycolic acid to wash away the dirt while giving you a dash of exfoliation.

It has hyaluronic acid to avoid leaving the skin dehydrated and tight. The formula is oil-free. So you can use it as a daily lactic acid cleanser to clear up acne and eliminate dullness.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid
Size: 5 oz/141 gr
Good To Know: Non-comedogenic, contains fragrance

Best Cream: Pond’s Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Pond's Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream

We’re not used to anti-aging creams being this cheap. Spending so much money on anti-wrinkle creams, I usually instinctively try to refute all the claims a cheap anti-aging product makes. If The Ordinary has taught us one thing, it’s that the products aren’t expensive, marketing is.

This is a lactic acid moisturizer that targets signs of aging. It smooths and softens the skin texture, and increases radiance. It boosts hydration with glycerin and collagen. And it locks moisture in with borage oil and eliminates dryness. Because of this component, it’s more suitable for dry skin types.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, collagen
Size: 7 oz/200 gr
Good To Know: Contains fragrance

Best Moisturizer: Mario Badescu Buttermilk Moisturizer

Mario Badescu Buttermilk Moisturizer - Best Drugstore Lactic Acid Products

Exfoliating moisturizers are especially great for dry, sensitive skin types as the emollient base softens the blow, so to speak, and mitigates irritation. This daily lactic acid moisturizer eliminates dry, flaky skin while increasing hydration.

Over time, it normalizes skin turnover and polishes the complexion while improving the look of lines and evening out the skin tone. The moisturizer also contains an anti-inflammatory blend made with allantoin and chamomile.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, allantoin, vitamin E
Size: 2 oz/59 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, contains fragrance

Best Treatment: Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment

Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment - Best Drugstore Lactic Acid Products

This is a multi-acid peel that combines AHAs with a beta-hydroxy acid. And it’s incredibly budget-friendly. This leave-on treatment is formulated with both glycolic and lactic acids to peel off flaky skin and brighten the complexion.

It also has salicylic acid to help unclog pores and reduce congestion and acne. The fragrance-free formula has a total acid concentration of 10%.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free

Best Mask: Pixi Peel & Polish

Pixi Peel & Polish

This is a rinse-off lactic acid mask for those of you who are a fan of acids from a distance. You can use this one once a week to keep tabs on those dead skin cells.

The creamy lactic acid peel is also enriched with papaya enzymes. These enzymes are gentle exfoliants that work only on the top layer of the skin eating away dead skin cells without irritating the skin.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, papaya extract, sugar cane extract
Size: 2.7 oz/80 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

Best Peel Pads: Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads 10% AHA + BHA

Pacifica Glow Baby Brightening Peel Pads 10% AHA + BHA

These are peel pads made with both lactic acid and glycolic acid as well as salicylic acid with a total concentration of 10%. Plus, because of the gritty texture of the pads, you get a superficial physical exfoliation as well. The gentle formula is non-drying and incredibly energizing with its citrus scent.

It also boosts radiance with niacinamide and soothes skin with aloe. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a lactic acid toner, try Pacifica Glow Baby Liquid Exfoliator, which has an even gentler formula made with 5% exfoliants.

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide
Size: 60 pads
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

This concludes our round-up of affordable lactic acid products you can find at the drugstore. If you’re new to acids, know that they can be irritating. So use your product once a week at first just to test the waters. And don’t forget to wear SPF!

Read Next: Best Lactic Acid Toners

Scroll to Top