Sum Ventures Lactic Acid 80%

Lactic acid is a chemical your body produces when your cells break down carbohydrates for energy. You might see it referred to as lactate. Muscle cells and red blood cells make the most lactic acid, but it can come from any tissue in your body

What is lactic acid?

Lactic acid is a chemical your body produces when your cells break down carbohydrates for energy. You might see it referred to as lactate. Muscle cells and red blood cells make the most lactic acid, but it can come from any tissue in your body.

Most people think of lactic acid in their muscles during a tough workout. Your muscles do produce lots of lactic acid when you’re exercising, but that’s not the only activity that can create it. Anything that makes your body use more oxygen than usual can cause your cells to produce lactic acid.

A workout, doing yardwork or lugging heavy boxes while you’re helping a friend move can all cause a short-term increase in lactic acid in your body. That temporary rise in lactic acid isn’t dangerous and usually won’t cause any symptoms. Your liver and kidneys filter lactic acid out of your blood and break it down into glucose (blood sugar).

Function

What does lactic acid do?

Your body usually fuels your muscles with oxygen (aerobically). If you start doing intense physical activity faster than your body can get oxygen to your muscles and other tissues, your cells break down glucose to create the energy you need to keep moving (anaerobically). Lactic acid is created when you’re generating energy anaerobically.

Lactic acid has three main functions, including:

• Energy: Your body makes lactic acid to fuel cells when they’re working harder than usual.
• Generating glucose (gluconeogenesis): Your liver and kidneys filter lactic acid out of your blood after it’s created in other tissue. They break it down and convert it into new glucose that your body can use for energy in the future.
• Molecular signaling: Lactic acid in your blood is a signal molecule throughout your body. Think of it like a set of flags or markers a construction crew puts down before they begin working in an area. Lactic acid attracts cells in your immune system to heal wounds and fight infections.

Does lactic acid make your muscles burn?

It’s a common myth that lactic acid makes your muscles ache or burn after a workout. Experts used to think a buildup in lactic acid caused some of the soreness you feel in the days after intense activity. But studies have found that lactic acid is flushed out of your muscles so quickly that it doesn’t damage your cells or cause pain.

Usually, the soreness you feel in the days after a workout is caused by microtears (tiny tears in your muscle fibers). This can be a good thing — repairing these microtears makes muscles grow bigger and stronger. But if you’re experience severe muscle pain, you might have an injury like a pulled muscle (a muscle strain).

Lactic acid is an ingredient commonly present in cosmetic products. It is an antioxidant and chemical exfoliant. It helps remove dead skin cells, smooth rough areas, and moisturize the skin.

Lactic acid is available in cosmetics sold over the counter, but a doctor can prescribe products with a stronger concentration.

Products containing lactic acid for home use are usually mild, with concentrations of 10% or lessTrusted Source. Products containing more than 10–15%Trusted Source require professional application.

This article discusses what lactic acid is, how it affects the skin, and how to use it. It also examines the potential risks and side effects.

Lactic acid is one of the most commonTrusted Source types of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used in cosmetic products. AHAs are present in OTC chemical exfoliants and professional chemical peels.

The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) notes that most lactic acid is produced by a fermentation process using cornstarch or beet sugar, meaning that some products containing lactic acid may be suitable for vegans.

Fermenting milk products can also produce lactic acid.

Other types of AHAs include:

• glycolic acid, which comes from sugar cane
• citric acid, which derives from citrus fruits
• malic acid, which comes from apples
• tartaric acid, which derives from grapes

How it affects the skin

Chemical peels that contain AHAs, such as lactic acid, remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Typically, superficial chemical peels contain a lactic acid concentration of 10–30%Trusted Source.

Although they are called peels, the skin does not noticeably peel off. Instead, the dead skin cells come away from the top layer of the skin when people cleanse their face in the morning after using chemical peels.

Benefits of using lactic acid on the skin 

According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source, some of the potential benefits of using lactic acid on the skin include:

• improving skin texture and tone
• improving skin appearance or firmness
• reducing dark spots
• smoothing fine lines and surface wrinkles
• unblocking and cleansing pores

How to use skin care products containing lactic acid safely

Lactic acid is a versatile ingredient present in various skin care products. These include:

• body scrubs
• cleansers
• essences
• exfoliators
• facial treatments
• serums
• toners

Depending on the specific product and its place in a person’s skin care regime, the instructions for use will differ. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure the best outcome.

Lactic acid, alongside other AHAs, increasesTrusted Source the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. As a result, people should always wear sunscreen if they incorporate an AHA into their skin care routine