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The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA for combination skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA

Superior

  • SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best products for combination skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Excellent suitability for your combination skin as lactic acid effectively exfoliates and balances oiliness, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer provide essential hydration to both oily and dry areas.
  • Tasmannia lanceolata leaf extract further soothes the skin, complementing the humectant and keratolytic actions for a refined complexion.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients and featuring beneficial components that minimize irritation risk.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant product in your PM routine starting once a week, then increase frequency carefully if your skin feels fine.
  • Apply this exfoliant step after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and wait a minute before layering.
  • Apply the exfoliant to clean, dry skin to help control your oily shine comfortably.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 7.4k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with dry, sensitive, or textured skin frequently praise this serum for its ability to gently exfoliate without compromising the moisture barrier. The majority of reviews report a noticeable improvement in skin smoothness and radiance, with many noting it effectively reduces flakiness and mild acne scars over time.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “perfect for sensitive skin”
    • “no irritation occurred”
    • “mild yet effective”
    • “great beginner acid”
  • Smoother texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “bumps are gone”
    • “skin feels soft”
    • “glass skin effect”
    • “texture improved significantly”
  • Brightens skin Often Mentioned
    • “woke up glowing”
    • “skin looks radiant”
    • “faded dark spots”
    • “evened skin tone”
  • Hydrating Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't dry me out”
    • “feels very moisturizing”
    • “plumps the skin”
    • “good for dry skin”
  • Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
    • “smells like cabbage”
    • “weird sour smell”
    • “scent is off-putting”
    • “smells like spoiled milk”
  • Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused small bumps”
    • “broke me out”
    • “experienced bad purging”
    • “worsened my acne”
  • Sticky finish Rarely Noted
    • “leaves sticky residue”
    • “feels tacky afterwards”
    • “takes time to absorb”
    • “slightly sticky texture”
  • Too mild Rarely Noted
    • “didn't see results”
    • “too weak for me”
    • “prefer the 10%”
    • “results take time”

Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, theordinary.com, brandclub.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA one of the best fits for combination skin?

This exfoliant treatment is one of the best fits for your combination skin because lactic acid effectively exfoliates and balances oiliness, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate bring essential hydration to both oily and dry areas. Tasmannia lanceolata leaf extract further calms the skin, and the formula is safe with beneficial components that help keep irritation low.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?

Lactic acid makes this exfoliant a great fit for your combination skin by gently removing dead skin cells and balancing oiliness, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer provide essential hydration to both oily and dry areas. Additionally, tasmannia lanceolata leaf extract helps soothe the skin to keep your complexion smooth and comfortable.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Lactic Acid do for combination skin?

Lactic acid helps balance combination skin by gently removing dead surface cells and managing oil while keeping moisture locked in. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used properly, and instead supports a smooth, clear, and well-hydrated complexion across both oily and dry areas. This type of skin needs ingredients that gently clear pores without stripping natural moisture, such as balanced hydrators and mild exfoliants.

Frontiers in Physiology, 2026Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2024

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This exfoliant goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, starting just once a week. Because it is a treatment with active acids, using it at night keeps it simple and avoids extra safety risks around sun exposure.

Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?

Using this exfoliant with retinol can easily overwhelm your skin, so it is best to use them on different nights or keep them separated in your routine. Alternating nights helps you avoid dryness and irritation while still getting the benefits of both ingredients.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results. The formula helps balance oiliness while providing essential hydration and soothing benefits to keep your skin safe and comfortable.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts for combination skin, as it features a safe formula designed with soothing ingredients to minimize irritation risk. Some reviewers do experience occasional breakouts, but it generally helps refine the complexion while balancing oiliness.

Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

  • Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.

    Cutis, 2004

  • Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992

  • A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.

    The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022

  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019

  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001

  • Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012

  • Topical Tasmannia lanceolata extract reduced skin roughness, increased firmness, dermal density, and thickness of stabilized stretch marks compared to placebo in 29 women over 8 weeks, alongside increased pro-collagen I, elastin, and TGF-beta concentrations in ex vivo human skin explants.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

  • Acacia gum and carbopol hydrogel wound dressings containing gentamicin showed faster wound healing, well-developed fibroblasts, and blood capillaries compared to open wounds in swiss albino mice.

    International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013

  • Barley beta-glucan films formulated with sorbitol and acacia gum demonstrated suitable mechanical properties and stimulated in vitro keratinocytes growth.

    International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2023

  • Gum arabic and beta-cyclodextrin microencapsulated peony seed oil emulsion protected against ultraviolet radiation by inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation, increasing cell viability from 54.75% to 92.69% in UVB-damaged HaCaT cells, and repairing 95.56% of UVB-damaged skin within 7 days in animal experiments through regulation of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

    International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2026

Ingredients

Water, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract Fruit, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Isoceteth-20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our 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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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QR code: get the Lovi app
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