Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.
EWG Home EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning EWG’s Food Scores Healthy Living App Open menu

EWG's Skin Deep®
Find products and ingredients Learn how Skin Deep® works Meet our experts Discover EWG VERIFIED®
GET UPDATES DONATE
Score legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES Learn more About EWG VERIFIED®

Data: Fair

Lactic Acid

  • Products with this ingredient are allowed for use in EWG VERIFIED but must meet use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.
  • This ingredient's score is higher if used in product forms that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns. The score is lower if used in product forms that have lower risk of inhalation (e.g., solids, liquids)
  • This ingredient's score is higher if used in products that may not meet industry safety guidelines or U.S. and international government requirements. The score will be lower if used in products that meet these safety guidelines and requirements.

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

SEARCH PRODUCTS

Other Concerns

Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions (high), and Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)

SYNONYMS

● 235-EP2316457A1
● 235-EP2316825A1
● 235-EP2314588A1
● 235-EP2314585A1
● 235-EP2316458A1
● 235-EP2314584A1
● LACTIC ACID, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIAL
● 235-EP2316826A1
● 235-EP2314586A1
● 235-EP2316459A1

Restricted

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid; naturally produced in the process of bacterial fermentation, for example milk fermentation. Lactic acid is frequently used as an exfoliant and in anti-wrinkle products.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
hair spray23 products
mouthwash7 products
conditioner684 products
hair treatment/serum208 products
moisturizer193 products
foot moisturizer28 products
hand cream56 products
shaving cream (men's)4 products
mask281 products
exfoliant/scrub188 products
sunless tanning18 products
shampoo234 products
around-eye cream59 products
facial moisturizer/treatment332 products
hair styling aid74 products
skin fading/lightener9 products
after sun product2 products
after shave17 products
bar soap18 products
facial cleanser203 products
foundation121 products
antiperspirant/deodorant47 products
serums & essences211 products
anti-aging27 products
concealer19 products
toners/astringents118 products
oil controller7 products
eye shadow4 products
lipstick93 products
body wash/cleanser173 products
styling gel/lotion29 products
hair relaxer2 products
detangler26 products
daily use with SPF51 products
makeup remover32 products
body firming lotion41 products
styling mousse/foam24 products
body oil2 products
liquid hand soap24 products
hair-loss treatment33 products
Other Hair Care Preparations2 products
eye makeup remover2 products
CC cream1 products
facial powder3 products
baby shampoo9 products
baby lotion10 products
diaper cream2 products
bronzer/highlighter5 products
lip gloss113 products
Moisturizing Socks1 products
bath oil/salts/soak4 products
lip plumper85 products
shaving cream5 products
hair color and bleaching43 products
blush9 products
makeup primer30 products
baby soap4 products
damaged skin treatment3 products
lip liner21 products
lip balm41 products
foot cleansing17 products
fragrance for men5 products
fragrance for women2 products
nail treatment14 products
setting powder/spray6 products
foot odor control5 products
mascara3 products
baby wipes7 products
eye liner10 products
beard cleanser3 products
Exfoliants4 products
Oils & Serums10 products
body spray5 products
bubble bath7 products
baby bubble bath1 products
baby toothpaste2 products
recreational sunscreen7 products
cuticle treatment1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)1 products
Face Wipes2 products
Hair Styling Gel2 products
brow liner5 products
personal cleansing2 products
toothpaste1 products
Preshave Preparations3 products
glitter1 products
nail polish30 products
lubricant4 products
Facial Cleansing Water2 products
Bath and Body Wipes2 products
chemical peel1 products
beard oil1 products
beard care1 products
Facial Sun Care1 products
exfoliant/scrub - large particle2 products
polish remover1 products
acne treatment1 products
Wipes1 products
muscle/joint soreness2 products
Eczema OTC1 products
BB cream1 products

Multiple, additive exposure sources

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodUS. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Miscellaneous

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Prohibited for use in foodUS. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Use restrictions

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmeticsHealth Canada
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Allowable pH limitsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Safe for brief discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsingCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualificationsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe when formulated to avoid increasing sun sensitivity or when directions for use include daily use of sun protectionCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Distinction between safe concentration when applied by professional vs consumer, according to industry safety panelCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Canada Cosmetics Hot List(2014-04-11)

Data gaps

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Informational

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Allowable pH limitsCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Safe for brief discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsingCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Distinction between safe concentration when applied by professional vs consumer, according to industry safety panelCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada
Classified as a low human health priorityEnvironment Canada

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada

Ecotoxicology

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada

Cancer

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogenPeer Reviewed Literature

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Limited evidence of skin irritationUS. National Library of Medicine,

Enhanced skin absorption

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Penetration enhancerUPDATED POSITION PAPER CONCERNING CONSUMER SAFETY OF ALPHA-HYDROXY ACIDS(2004-05-25)
  • US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Health Canada
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Canada Cosmetics Hot List(2014-04-11)
  • Environment Canada
  • Peer Reviewed Literature
  • US. National Library of Medicine,
  • UPDATED POSITION PAPER CONCERNING CONSUMER SAFETY OF ALPHA-HYDROXY ACIDS(2004-05-25)

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

Can’t find your product?

Enter the ingredients in EWG’s Build Your Own Report tool to get an approximate score for that product.

BUILD YOUR OWN REPORT

News & updates

Big Market for Black Cosmetics, but Less-Hazardous Choices Limited
RESEARCH
Big Market for Black Cosmetics, but Less-Hazardous Choices Limited
K-Beauty Trends: Serums, Essences and EWG’s Best Bets
RESEARCH
K-Beauty Trends: Serums, Essences and EWG’s Best Bets
FDA Asks Women To Protect Themselves From Products The Agency Refused To Ban
NEWS RELEASE
FDA Asks Women To Protect Themselves From Products The Agency Refused To Ban
Study Highlights Importance of Cosmetics Ingredient Safety Tests
NEWS RELEASE
Study Highlights Importance of Cosmetics Ingredient Safety Tests
READ ALL ARTICLES
Skindeep Healthy Living App

EWG research
on the go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP