# Lactic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Kingdom.

Keep them apart

Use them on alternate nights because combining them can cause skin irritation. Both ingredients work hard to renew the skin, so layering them together can easily cause redness, dryness, and a stinging feeling. To prevent this, the shopper can either switch to a gentler product strength or leave more days between using each ingredient.

[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 lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid)
- [All about hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)

### [Lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid) products

- [Medicube Zero Pore Pad](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/medicube/zero-pore-pad/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [£15.30 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CV7RX6ML?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/first-aid-beauty/kp-bump-eraser-body-scrub/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [£24.95 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GSX4BHQ2?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/eltamd/uv-clear-broad-spectrum-spf-46/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit
- [First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/first-aid-beauty/facial-radiance-pads/for/sensitive-skin) — Superior fit — [£20.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G2Z2VYW2?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/cerave/sa-lotion-for-rough-and-bumpy-skin/for/oily-skin) — Average fit — [£23.00 at Lookfantastic](https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/cerave-sa-smoothing-cream-with-salicylic-acid-for-dry-rough-bumpy-skin-340g/12207664/)
- [CeraVe Renewing SA Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/cerave/renewing-sa-cream/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit
- [The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/the-ordinary/alpha-arbutin-2-ha/for/dark-spots) — Superior fit — [£8.40 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XCZFCFZ?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/the-ordinary/retinal-0-2-emulsion/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [£12.16 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CZ5VG3L1?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/kate-somerville/exfolikate-intensive-exfoliating-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [£25.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076CFBMQZ?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/dr-dennis-gross/alpha-beta-universal-daily-peel/for/acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [£97.78 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CSKS5X7X?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/the-ordinary/lactic-acid-5-ha/for/dry-skin) — Superior fit — [£6.16 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NA0F3FB?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/good-molecules/overnight-exfoliating-treatment/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [£9.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08TMDRF1L?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

### [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate) products

- [The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/the-ordinary/granactive-retinoid-2-emulsion/for/oily-skin) — High fit — [£8.80 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071HHSMTT?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [IOPE Retinol Super Bounce Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/iope/retinol-super-bounce-serum/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [£56.69 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CKGSMMSB?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/byoma/sensitive-retinol-oil/for/dry-skin) — Average fit — [£17.95 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CSDWY381?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/medicube/deep-vita-a-retinol-serum/for/acne-prone-skin) — Average fit — [£14.80 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FPFDSC7X?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/p/sunday-riley/a-high-dose-retinoid-serum/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [£127.42 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08D7GVPXS?tag=lovi-care-web-product-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

## Questions and answers

### Can you use lactic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate together?

Keep [lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid) and [hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate) apart by using them in separate routine steps, such as applying lactic acid in the morning or on alternate evenings. Combining them in the same step may cause irritation or disrupt your skin barrier because both increase cell turnover.

### Which goes first, lactic acid or hydroxypinacolone retinoate?

Keep lactic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate apart by using lactic acid in the morning or on alternate evenings and your retinoid on separate nights. Combining them in the same routine may cause irritation or barrier disruption because both increase cell turnover.

### Are lactic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate good for sensitive skin?

Keep lactic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate apart by using them on alternate evenings to help prevent skin irritation. Sensitive, dry, and reactive skin should avoid direct overlap of these two ingredients in the same routine step.

## Research on lactic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate

- [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
- [Characterization of Acne-Prone Skin with Reflectance Confocal Microscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography and Modifications Induced by Topical Treatment and Probiotic Supplementation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37510902/) Hydroxypinacolone retinoate · Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023
- [The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36762391/) Hydroxypinacolone retinoate · 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
- [Efficacy of Topical Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate-Peptide Product Versus Fractional CO2 Laser in Facial Aging](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39394831/) Hydroxypinacolone retinoate · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025

## Other combinations

- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/retinol-and-lactic-acid)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/niacinamide-and-lactic-acid)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-sodium-lactate)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and tromethamine](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-tromethamine)
- Keep them apart: [Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/acetyl-hexapeptide-3-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-collagen-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-copper-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/niacinamide-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and betaine](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-betaine)
- Work well together: [Glycerin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/glycerin-and-lactic-acid)
- Depends on the strength: [Lactic acid and hyaluronic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hyaluronic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Carnosine and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/carnosine-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-collagen-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-copper-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [Adapalene and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/adapalene-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and granactive retinoid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-granactive-retinoid)
- Keep them apart: [Pro-retinol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/pro-retinol-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and retinoid blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-retinoid-blend)
- Keep them apart: [Tretinoin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/tretinoin-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Mandelic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/mandelic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and gluconolactone](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-gluconolactone)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and lactobionic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-lactobionic-acid)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and cholesterol](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-cholesterol)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and lauric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-lauric-acid)
- Work well together: [Linoleic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/linoleic-acid-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Lactic acid and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-tri-ceramide-complex)
- Work well together: [Arginine and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/arginine-and-lactic-acid)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and GABA](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-gaba)
- Work well together: [Silk amino acids and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/silk-amino-acids-and-lactic-acid)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and taurine](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-taurine)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and theanine](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-theanine)
- Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Work well together: [Ferulic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/ferulic-acid-and-lactic-acid)
- Work well together: [Vitamin E and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/vitamin-e-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Azelaic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/azelaic-acid-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Work well together: [Allantoin and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/allantoin-and-lactic-acid)
- Work well together: [Lactic acid and bisabolol](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-bisabolol)
- Work well together: [Panthenol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/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/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate (this page)
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/lactic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate