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7 Best Lactic Acid Body Washes

by Gabbi

Sure, you probably have your holy grail face wash, toner, and moisturizer. But how many times have you scoured the internet searching for the most sought after body wash? Odds are, probably not many. But we’re here to tell you that you should be! 

Just like the skin on your face, the skin on your body accumulates dirt, sweat, and oil throughout the day, so when the time comes to hop into the shower, you should show your body the same kind of love you give your face.

There are a ton of options you could go for when it comes to body washes, but a good lactic acid body wash could change your skin as you know it!

Lactic acid is in a ton of skincare products, and for good reason. One of the essential alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), lactic acid exfoliates the top layer of the skin and increases collagen production – leaving you with glowy, silky, more evenly toned skin. Did we mention it’s also antibacterial and gentle enough to use every day?

So what are the best lactic acid body washes? The best lactic acid body washes will be the remedy to a multitude of skin issues. They’ll help shed off any dead tissue, leave your body feeling refreshed, and can help heal acne, get rid of keratosis pilaris, and even fade any fine lines. 

Still trying to find your perfect fit? Keep reading to hear all about our favorite picks, and why they reign supreme over all the options you may have!

Lactic Acid Body Wash – Buyer’s Guide

Scrub Vs Gel Vs Cream

Maybe you’re craving the moisture a cream wash can provide, or maybe your skin is particularly dry and needs the boost of a physical exfoliant. The point is, body washes aren’t one size fits all. Choosing the right form of wash for your skin type will ensure that you leave the shower looking and feeling your best. 

Combo With Other AHAs

If you want to hit two birds with one stone, you may be interested in a body wash that combines the properties of lactic acid with another AHA. Glycolic, mandelic, and salicylic acid are popular additions to skincare for their skin-renewing and acne fighting benefits. 

Environmentally Friendly

The public desire for cruelty-free, sustainable products is not going unnoticed by skincare companies. If it’s important to you to use products that are plant derived, non-GMO, and all natural, you’ll be happy to know that your options are not limited. 

Keeping all of this in mind, let’s take a look at our top 7 picks in lactic acid body washes …

Best Lactic Acid Body Washes

RankProductKey Features
1.Boscia Papaya and Pomegranate Exfoliating Body WashVegan, cruelty-free, sulfate-free
2.First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body ScrubCruelty-free, fragrance-free, pumice beads
3.CLNS Gentle Clarifying CleanserCeramides, gentle, sea salt scrub
4.Misumi Acne Body WashAHAs, exfoliating, smoothing
5.Planty Exfoliating Body ScrubExfoliating, vegan, fragrance-free
6.Azani Bump Eraser Body ScrubReduces texture and enlarged pores
7.Platinum Skin Care Body WashAHAs, heals sun damage and dryness

1. Boscia Papaya And Pomegranate Exfoliating Body Wash

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This body wash by Boscia could be your saving grace if your skin tends to be on the drier side!

Since gel cleansers are water-based, this type of wash is far less likely to dry you out, and can actually help you retain more moisture in your skin throughout the day.

But if we’re being honest, gel cleansers are great for just about everybody since they’re unbelievably gentle, and could be extra beneficial if you have sensitive skin. 

If you’re the type to shower in the morning, this wash will give you that pick-me-up you need to take on the day! Scented with orange, grapefruit, and a blend of rosemary and citrus oils, this cleanser is truly sunshine in a bottle.

But all of those fruit enzymes aren’t just there to keep you smelling pretty, but rather because they serve an important purpose. The papaya and pomegranate enzymes featured actually work as exfoliants, and can also speed up your skin’s cell renewal process.

But we think the star of the show has to be the mixture of lactic and mandelic acids. If your skin has signs of hyperpigmentation or age spots, you can kiss them goodbye! Surface level imperfections are absolutely no chance against this powerhouse combo of AHAs.

The lactic and mandelic acids work on restoring the youthful glow of your skin, and can assist in reducing the damage that time, the sun, and body acne may have taken throughout the years. And with the help of betaine and beet root extract, your body will feel nourished and moisturized. 

And the icing on the cake is that Boscia made sure this product is au naturel! Rest easy knowing that this cleanser is 100% vegan and cruelty free.

As for the ingredients, you can take pride in the fact that you’re cleaning your body with a wash that contains absolutely no chemical preservatives, parabens, sulfates, or artificial colors and fragrances! It’s all the good stuff and none of the guilt, and we love that for you. 

2. First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub

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First Aid Beauty makes products that are beloved by the beauty community, and there’s no question why.

When they develop their merchandise, they make sure each formula upholds their core standards of having clean ingredients, being cruelty and fragrance free, being safe for sensitive skin, and being dermatologist tested.

In other words, there’s a lot of love put into their KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub, so you can find solace in the fact you’re using a body wash that’s made with your satisfaction in mind. 

This is a body scrub, so it’s extra exfoliating. And we know what you might be thinking: aren’t body scrubs bad for the environment? And the truth is, some may be. But instead of using microplastics, this body scrub features pumice buffing beads, derived from volcanic rock.

Pumice is an extremely lightweight stone, and can buff away dead skin without a ton of elbow grease. It’ll keep your skin happy, and, because it’s naturally derived and biodegradable, it’ll keep the beaches happy too!

This scrub also targets a skin issue that pesters people of all ages: keratosis pilaris. You may also know this condition as “strawberry skin” or “chicken skin.” KP is caused by an excess of keratin production in the body, and results in small, non-painful bumps on the surface of the skin.

Luckily, First Aid Beauty formulated this body wash with KP in mind, and promises to be a fast-acting solution to those who yearn for baby soft skin. 

And if you’re looking for something gentle, worry not! This wash contains only 10% AHA, made up of glycolic and lactic acids. This makes it perfect for daily use, and non-abrasive enough for someone who might have sensitive skin.

But gentle doesn’t necessarily mean ineffective! Glycolic and lactic acid make a powerful duo, and can decongest clogged pores with ease. You know those fancy microdermabrasion treatments?? Imagine that in a bottle – that’s First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub. 

3. CLNS Gentle Clarifying Cleanser

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If you’re looking for something that can exfoliate, but can also keep your skin feeling nourished, look no further! The CLNS Gentle Clarifying Cleanser is a non-foaming, simple wash that packs a powerful punch.

Made by The Skincare Company, this cleanser contains a mixture of natural ingredients that go for the root of your skincare problems. The Skincare Company holds evidence based skincare in high regard, so if you do choose to use this cleanser, you can expect results.

Gentle is this cleanser’s middle name. It’s so gentle, in fact, that you can actually use it on your face as well!

Because it’s non-foaming, this wash doesn’t strip your skin of its natural oils, and actually works to strengthen your moisture barrier through stimulating ceramide rejuvenation.

Your moisture barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, and protects you from things like UV rays, pollution, and bacteria, so the stronger yours is, the better!

Containing a mixture of 2% lactic acid, 2% French grey sea salt, and organic sencha green tea, this cleanser is ideal for those with problematic or acne prone skin.

The potent mixture of a small percentage of AHA and sea salt helps exfoliate the skin without being overly abrasive, while the sencha green tea acts as an antioxidant. This makes this wash perfect for those looking to add products with anti-aging properties into their skincare regimens.

Another great feature about this body wash is how much use you can get from a single bottle. If you use 4 pumps a day during your daily shower, one bottle of cleanser can last you four months. Talk about bang for your buck!

4. Misumi Acne Body Wash

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Don’t let body acne put a damper on your day! Misumi’s Blemish Clear Body Wash was formulated with acne-prone and oily skin in mind.

This wash was made to treat any breakouts you may have on your back, neck, shoulders, and arms. And after it clears them up, it helps prevent any future ones from occurring – so you can don smooth skin all year long.

And if your acne is on the more stubborn side, fear not! Because this wash effectively unclogs pores, you can finally say goodbye to those pesky, recurring blemishes you could never seem to shake.

Did you know that sugarcane, pineapple, and blueberries aren’t just the ingredients to the next best-selling smoothie, but that they’re also your skins new best friends?

Sugarcane and pineapple are natural exfoliants, renewing your complexion, while blueberries help any damaged tissues heal up good as new. Lavender oil also makes an appearance, calming your breakouts down so that they’re not as red, angry, and painful. 

Packed full of AHAs, this body wash will give all of your skin imperfections a run for their money! Salicylic acid makes a beeline for any active acne, reducing swelling and reducing the spread of breakouts.

Over time, you’ll notice your acne drying out, and underneath the surface, glycolic acid is working on clearing out all the gunk causing persistent acne to keep rearing its head. And don’t be surprised when you look in the mirror and look absolutely radiant.

Because lactic acid is promoting your body’s collagen production, your skin will feel healthy, plump, and smooth like butter. 

5. Planty Exfoliating Body Scrub

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If you’re unsure if you prefer chemical or physical exfoliates to improve your skin’s radiance, why not go for a scrub that’s the best of both worlds?

Planty’s Exfoliating Body Scrub has a perfect harmony of natural physical exfoliants (no plastic microbeads here) and our favorite AHAs to keep your body silky smooth without stripping it dry. 

It’s made with all skin types in mind, but highly recommended for anybody suffering from keratosis pilaris, dark spots, and uneven texture.

It’s also great for ingrown hairs and razor bumps, so this may be your new favorite body scrub during summer time!

Since this wash is packed with ingredients that speed up your skin’s healing process, it’s also effective on things like cellulite, stretch marks, and even mild eczema. So basically, it’s a vegan, fragrance-free, cure all in a bottle. 

Formulated with just 6% lactic and glycolic acids, you can expect serious results without dealing with irritation. Just scientifically proven ingredients from a company that philosophizes accessible pricing, green manufacturing, and customer satisfaction. 

6. Azani Bump Eraser Body Scrub

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Imagine if there was an eraser you could use on your body.

Something you could smooth over all of your problem areas: dry patches, texture, redness, or even enlarged pores – and bring them back to their original state. Wouldn’t that make life just a little bit easier?

Well, imagine no longer! Azani’s formulated a body wash that can hit the rewind button on your skin, turning back years of damage through the power of a daily exfoliant.

This scrub has a pH balance of 4-4.5, making it non-irritating to even the most sensitive skin types. Because it’s extra gentle, treatment of skin issues will be gradual, but it’s well worth the wait!

Lactic acid, because of its mildness, is able to keep the skin exfoliated without compromising your moisture balance. But why stop there? Azani invites glycolic acid and green tea to the party, and they bring along their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

That means that any active acne on your body won’t flare into a breakout, and that any existing redness will get better with each passing wash.

It may seem like a simple combination of ingredients, but it sure is mighty! This wash doesn’t just clean off the surface of your body, but is able to penetrate deep inside the skin to work as a preventative measure for future skin problems.

Because it deals with issues at the root, the overall health of your skin will improve, leaving you with supple, clear, happy skin. 

7. Platinum Skin Care Body Wash

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Give your skin the love it deserves with a cleanser containing 15% lactic and glycolic acids!

Because this wash is a bit on the stronger end, we would recommend it to those who are experienced AHA users.

Using too many acids on inexperienced skin can dry you out and potentially worsen existing issues, so use with caution. Try using this cleanser every other day at first to build up a tolerance before putting it into your daily routine.

This body wash is packed full of acids that can truly turn back time on your skin. We mean you can bid adieu to wrinkles, lost elasticity, dullness, and dryness. Say sayonara to sun damage, acne, bumps, and lesions!

With glycolic, lactic, and malic acids accelerating skin cell turnover times – you can quite literally step out of the shower with brand new, baby smooth skin. Once you’ve introduced AHAs into your skincare routine, you can never go back.

This grapefruit scented body wash also helps skin with moisture retention, helping your body keep more elasticity over time.

Since you’re cleansing yourself with such a concentrated amount of AHAs, the acids are able to directly stimulate the fibroplast (cells in your connective tissue), and in turn promote regular renewal of collagen- making for bouncier, more moisturized skin.

New collagen growth means less wrinkles, making this cleanser a great choice for anyone looking for a wash with anti-aging properties.

Related Question

Is there anything I need to do when I introduce AHAs into my skincare routine?

Make sure you use sunscreen every single day! While you should already have an SPF in your daily rotation of products, it’s especially necessary when using alpha hydroxy acid.

Because you’re exfoliating away all your dead skin, the new skin underneath is extra sensitive, making it more susceptible to sun damage. 

Up Next: Lactic Acid Vs Retinol

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