# Retinal and lactic acid Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Saudi Arabia. Keep them apart Use them on alternate nights to avoid skin irritation. Both ingredients work hard to renew the skin, which can cause redness and dryness if used together. The shopper can alternate nights or switch to a gentler formula. [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 retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal) - [All about lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid) ### [Retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal) products - [Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/beauty-of-joseon/revive-eye-serum/for/combination-skin) — High fit — [SAR 87.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0CTC25796?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/medik8/crystal-retinal-3/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [SAR 272.46 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B07Y5P314G?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/murad/retinal-resculpt-overnight-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [SAR 347.76 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0BWGXDCWJ?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [celimax RETINAL SHOT](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/celimax/retinal-shot/for/acne-prone-skin) — Average fit — [SAR 79.68 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0FQV2J48Q?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/some-by-mi/retinol-intense-reactivating-serum/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [SAR 65.55 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0BXGW8DRP?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [NATURIUM Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/naturium/retinaldehyde-cream-serum-0-05/for/dry-skin) — Average fit — [SAR 81.35 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0BJL2W71K?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Avène RetrinAL EYES](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/avene/retrinal-eyes/for/dry-skin) — High fit - [Murad Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/murad/retinal-resculpt-body-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Average fit - [K-SECRET SEOUl 1988 EYE CREAM](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/k-secret/seoul-1988-eye-cream/for/mature-skin) — Average fit — [SAR 39.90 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0G61K2B1P?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/geek-and-gorgeous/a-game-5/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [SAR 116.15 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B08TTP8589?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Peach & Lily Retinal For All Renewing Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/peach-and-lily/retinal-for-all-renewing-serum/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit — [SAR 272.27 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0CRK6TC5T?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [K-SECRET SEOUL 1988 Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/k-secret/seoul-1988-serum/for/mature-skin) — Average fit — [SAR 40.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0G2TKC913?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) ### [Lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid) products - [Medicube Zero Pore Pad](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/medicube/zero-pore-pad/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [SAR 64.80 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0CVRCR6VF?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/first-aid-beauty/kp-bump-eraser-body-scrub/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [SAR 107.07 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B07XG6BKCV?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/eltamd/uv-clear-broad-spectrum-spf-46/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [SAR 125.78 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B002MSN3QQ?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/first-aid-beauty/facial-radiance-pads/for/sensitive-skin) — Superior fit — [SAR 129.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0CBL5NSP6?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/cerave/sa-lotion-for-rough-and-bumpy-skin/for/oily-skin) — Average fit - [CeraVe Renewing SA Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/cerave/renewing-sa-cream/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit - [The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/the-ordinary/alpha-arbutin-2-ha/for/dark-spots) — Superior fit — [SAR 63.55 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0DF7N3R2D?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/kate-somerville/exfolikate-intensive-exfoliating-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [SAR 148.70 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B076CFBMQZ?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/dr-dennis-gross/alpha-beta-universal-daily-peel/for/acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [SAR 317.82 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B0BM9PQGCS?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/the-ordinary/lactic-acid-5-ha/for/dry-skin) — Superior fit - [Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/good-molecules/overnight-exfoliating-treatment/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [SAR 77.61 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B08TMDRF1L?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/p/sunday-riley/good-genes-all-in-one-lactic-acid-treatment/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [SAR 544.49 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sa/dp/B078MPKN8B?tag=lovisa02-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) ## Questions and answers ### Can you use retinal and lactic acid together? Keep [retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal) and [lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid) apart because combining them in the same routine may cause irritation and barrier disruption. Alternate their use by applying lactic acid in the morning or every other night, and retinal on alternate evenings. ### Which goes first, retinal or lactic acid? Keep retinal and lactic acid apart by alternating them, using lactic acid in the morning or every other night and retinal on alternate evenings, because combining them in the same routine step may cause irritation or barrier disruption. You can also find them together in The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion. ### Are retinal and lactic acid good for sensitive skin? Sensitive, dry, and reactive skin should avoid direct overlap of retinal and lactic acid because combining them in the same routine may cause irritation or barrier disruption. You can alternate their use by applying lactic acid in the morning or every other night, and retinal on alternate evenings. ## Research on retinal 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 - [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 - [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/sa/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Retinol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinol-and-lactic-acid) - Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/niacinamide-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-sodium-lactate) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and tromethamine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-tromethamine) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3) - Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-collagen-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-copper-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-hexapeptide-9) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-peptide-rich-plasma) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-triple-peptide-blend) - Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and betaine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-betaine) - Work well together: [Glycerin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/glycerin-and-lactic-acid) - Depends on the strength: [Lactic acid and hyaluronic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hyaluronic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3) - Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Carnosine and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/carnosine-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-collagen-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-copper-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hexapeptide-9) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-peptide-rich-plasma) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-triple-peptide-blend) - Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and granactive retinoid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-granactive-retinoid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate) - Keep them apart: [Pro-retinol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/pro-retinol-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and retinoid blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-retinoid-blend) - Keep them apart: [Tretinoin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/tretinoin-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and mandelic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-mandelic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and gluconolactone](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-gluconolactone) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and lactobionic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-lactobionic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and cholesterol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-cholesterol) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and lauric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-lauric-acid) - Work well together: [Linoleic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/linoleic-acid-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-tri-ceramide-complex) - Work well together: [Arginine and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/arginine-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and GABA](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-gaba) - Work well together: [Silk amino acids and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/silk-amino-acids-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and taurine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-taurine) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and theanine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-theanine) - Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinal) - Work well together: [Ferulic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/ferulic-acid-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Vitamin E and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/vitamin-e-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Azelaic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/azelaic-acid-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-retinal) - Work well together: [Allantoin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/allantoin-and-lactic-acid) - Work well together: [Lactic acid and bisabolol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-bisabolol) - Work well together: [Panthenol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/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/retinal-and-lactic-acid - United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid - Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid (this page) - United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid