# Adapalene and lactic acid Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Italy. Keep them apart Use them on alternate nights because they are both strong and can irritate your skin when mixed. Using both at once can cause redness, peeling, and a damaged skin barrier. You can fix this by using a gentler strength or waiting a few nights between applications. [Retinoids: a journey from the molecular structures and mechanisms of action to clinical uses in dermatology and adverse effects](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28318351/) [Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28585191/) - [All about adapalene](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene) - [All about lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid) ### [Adapalene](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene) products - [Differin Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/differin/gel/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit - [Galderma Epiduo Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/galderma/epiduo-gel/for/acne-prone-skin) — High fit - [La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/la-roche-posay/effaclar-adapalene-gel-0-1-acne-treatment/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit ### [Lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid) products - [Medicube Zero Pore Pad](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/medicube/zero-pore-pad/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [€17.15 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B09V7Z4TJG?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/first-aid-beauty/kp-bump-eraser-body-scrub/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [€29.60 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B08GNS58PQ?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/eltamd/uv-clear-broad-spectrum-spf-46/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [€73.90 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B00ZPWR0N8?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/first-aid-beauty/facial-radiance-pads/for/sensitive-skin) — Superior fit — [€17.25 at Lookfantastic](https://www.lookfantastic.it/p/first-aid-beauty-brighten-glow-pads-28-ct./17716506/) - [CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/cerave/sa-lotion-for-rough-and-bumpy-skin/for/oily-skin) — Average fit — [€13.29 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07WL7WV52?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [CeraVe Renewing SA Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/cerave/renewing-sa-cream/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit - [The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/the-ordinary/alpha-arbutin-2-ha/for/dark-spots) — Superior fit — [€12.08 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B06XCZFCFZ?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/the-ordinary/retinal-0-2-emulsion/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [€17.48 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0CZ5VG3L1?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/kate-somerville/exfolikate-intensive-exfoliating-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [€56.90 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0753531MB?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/dr-dennis-gross/alpha-beta-universal-daily-peel/for/acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [€122.45 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B009QZ595Q?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/the-ordinary/lactic-acid-5-ha/for/dry-skin) — Superior fit - [Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/p/good-molecules/overnight-exfoliating-treatment/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [€22.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.it/dp/B08TMDRF1L?tag=lovi-care-web-product09-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) ## Questions and answers ### Can you use adapalene and lactic acid together? Keep [adapalene](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene) and [lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid) apart because combining them in the same routine step may cause irritation or barrier disruption. Instead, alternate their use by applying lactic acid in the morning or every other night, and adapalene on alternate evenings. ### Which goes first, adapalene or lactic acid? Keep adapalene and lactic acid apart by using them on alternate evenings or putting lactic acid in the morning routine. Combining them in the same step may cause irritation or barrier disruption. ### Are adapalene and lactic acid good for sensitive skin? Sensitive, dry, and reactive skin should avoid direct overlap of adapalene and lactic acid in the same routine, as both increase cell turnover and may cause irritation or barrier disruption when layered. Instead, alternate their use by applying lactic acid in the morning or every other night, and adapalene on alternate evenings. ## Research on adapalene and lactic acid - [Lactate triggers KAT8-mediated LTBP1 lactylation at lysine 752 to promote skin rejuvenation by inducing collagen synthesis in fibroblasts](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39102921/) Lactic acid · International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024 - [Prevention and Reduction of Atrophic Acne Scars with Adapalene 0.3%/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel in Subjects with Moderate or Severe Facial Acne: Results of a 6-Month Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Trial Using Intra-Individual Comparison](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29549588/) Adapalene · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018 - [Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%, Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1%, and Adapalene 0.15% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne: A Randomized Phase II Study of the First Triple-Combination Drug](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34674160/) Adapalene · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022 - [Poly-L-Lactic acid increases collagen gene expression and synthesis in cultured dermal fibroblast (Hs68) through the TGF-β/Smad pathway](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36575891/) Lactic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023 - [A topical gel of tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene versus adapalene marketed gel in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized clinical trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34251536/) Adapalene · Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022 - [Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel for moderate-to-severe acne: Efficacy and safety results from two randomized phase 3 trials](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37656094/) Adapalene · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023 - [Do urea/ammonium lactate combinations achieve better skin protection and hydration than either component alone?](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11803256/) Lactic acid · Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2002 ## Other combinations - Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Retinol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/retinol-and-lactic-acid) - Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/niacinamide-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-sodium-lactate) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and tromethamine](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-tromethamine) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and bio-placenta peptides](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-bio-placenta-peptides) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-collagen-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-copper-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and hexapeptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-hexapeptide) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-hexapeptide-9) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-peptide-rich-plasma) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-triple-peptide-blend) - Depends on the strength: [Adapalene and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-niacinamide) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and betaine](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-betaine) - Work well together: [Glycerin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/glycerin-and-lactic-acid) - Depends on the strength: [Lactic acid and hyaluronic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hyaluronic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3) - Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Carnosine and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/carnosine-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-collagen-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-copper-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hexapeptide-9) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-peptide-rich-plasma) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-triple-peptide-blend) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and aha blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and glycolic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-glycolic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and granactive retinoid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-granactive-retinoid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate) - Keep them apart: [Pro-retinol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/pro-retinol-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and retinoid blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-retinoid-blend) - Keep them apart: [Tretinoin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/tretinoin-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and mandelic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-mandelic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and gluconolactone](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-gluconolactone) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and lactobionic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-lactobionic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and cholesterol](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-cholesterol) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and lauric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-lauric-acid) - Work well together: [Linoleic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/linoleic-acid-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-tri-ceramide-complex) - Work well together: [Arginine and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/arginine-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and GABA](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-gaba) - Work well together: [Silk amino acids and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/silk-amino-acids-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and taurine](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-taurine) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and theanine](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-theanine) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and salicylic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-salicylic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and vitamin C](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-vitamin-c) - Work well together: [Ferulic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/ferulic-acid-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Vitamin E and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/vitamin-e-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Azelaic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/azelaic-acid-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-benzoyl-peroxide) - Work well together: [Allantoin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/allantoin-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and bisabolol](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-bisabolol) - Work well together: [Panthenol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/panthenol-and-lactic-acid) ## About the Lovi Fit Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes. Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules its dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning. Behind this pairing advice: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board). Page built Nov 8, 2026. More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt ## This page in other countries - United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid (this page) - Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid - United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid