Is AmLactin or glycolic acid better for anti-aging? Dermatologist Dr. Dray breaks down the science behind these two popular alpha hydroxy acids and explains why the answer depends on the concentration, formulation, pH, and whether the product is being used at home or as an in-office chemical peel.
In this video, Dr. Dray compares 12% ammonium lactate, such as AmLactin Daily 12% Lotion, with glycolic acid specifically for anti-aging. She explains what the clinical research shows about epidermal and dermal thickness, collagen-related changes, exfoliation, skin texture, and the important differences between professional glycolic acid peels and over-the-counter glycolic acid skincare products.
She also discusses human clinical studies suggesting that 12% ammonium lactate may provide benefits beyond superficial exfoliation, including effects on both the epidermis and dermis. Dr. Dray explains why this makes 12% ammonium lactate an interesting option for an at-home anti-aging skincare routine.
In this video:
00:00 Introduction
00:59 What are AmLactin and glycolic acid?
03:13 Why glycolic acid is popular for chemical peels
05:51 What about 12% ammonium lactate at home?
07:50 Why does dermal thickness matter?
09:36 AmLactin and steroid-induced skin atrophy
12:04 Is AmLactin better than glycolic acid?
12:54 The problem with comparing skincare ingredients
14:40 What about glycolic acid at home?
16:33 Other anti-aging ingredients to consider
19:59 The bottom line
AmLactin vs. Glycolic Acid for Anti-Aging
Glycolic acid has a smaller molecular size than lactic acid and can penetrate the skin efficiently. At high concentrations used in professional chemical peels, glycolic acid can produce significant exfoliation and dermal remodeling.
However, those high-strength glycolic acid peels should not be confused with typical over-the-counter glycolic acid serums and lotions. Concentration, pH, formulation, and contact time all influence how an AHA behaves in the skin.
For at-home skincare, 12% ammonium lactate has particularly interesting human clinical evidence. Research has demonstrated changes in epidermal and dermal thickness with 12% lactic acid, while another human study found that 12% ammonium lactate helped spare against corticosteroid-induced atrophy in both the epidermis and dermis.
That does not mean AmLactin is equivalent to a professional glycolic acid peel, or that it will dramatically reverse wrinkles. However, the research suggests that 12% ammonium lactate may have effects that extend beyond simple surface exfoliation.
Dr. Dray also discusses other evidence-based anti-aging ingredients, including retinoids, tretinoin, retinaldehyde, retinol, adapalene, and topical vitamin C, as well as the importance of daily sun protection for preventing photoaging.
Products Mentioned
Amlactin Daily 12% Lotion
Glycolic acid products I recommend:
This video is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice from a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional.
#AmLactin #GlycolicAcid #AntiAgingSkincare #LacticAcid #Skincare #Dermatologist #AHA #Photoaging #SkincareRoutine #AntiAging
FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.
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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
Amlactin Daily 12% Lotion: https://amzlink.to/az0r9ArzAFr9W
Glycolic acid products I recommend: https://amzlink.to/az09Ts3KSZ2YV
Which do you prefer for anti-aging, Amlactin or glycolic acid? And are you using either one in your routine? Let me know in the comments!
I would like to know more information about the “next Gen” chemical peels. Primarily the biphase tca peel that come in a hydrophilic and hydrophobic solution of tca 35%. One example would be the Biorepeel. CMed Aesthetics S.r.l. is the Italian pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and patents the BioRePeelCl3 FND – CMed Aesthetics S.p.A. If that helps you understand what I mean.
@codywallace6145
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Hello Dr.Dray. Huge fan of your videos. Thank you for all the no-nonsense knowledge that you share. Love you so much.
thanks for watching
Thank you so much for answering my question about this yesterday, and now doing a whole video about it! I’m really grateful!
thanks for watching!
Do you have a YouTube channel?
Amlactin has been a game changer for me. I just moved up to rhe 15%. No negative side effects. My skin is smooth and supple. At my annual skin check, my dermatologist told me me skin was healthy and looked beautiful!
How long did you wait to move up from 12% amlactin to 15%? I’ve been using the 12% for about a month.
Is it prescription based ?
Where did you find 15%? Can you share the link, please?
@WaterBearer17no I got mine on Amazon
oh I might increase to 15% also start using my 12% more often
Happy Monday, Dr. Dray❤
When I read the comments my brain is saying “what about what about what about”
I want to scream “What about using the search tool?”
😂😂😂
😂😂
I feel that! I replay, put visual wording ‘on’ & usually take notes…then rarely read them. Oh man, I need help!
This is PIVOTAL! I own Alpha 12% glycolic lotion and AmLactin 12% lotion. I know you can’t compare the 12 percents to the other. They’re very different molecules. But to learn that the AmLactin is more effective at the dermal layer is game changing. I will only buy AmLactin going forward.
I tried Amlactin 12% on my face and body- I tolerate it well. My skin looks great, and after 2 bottles I notice the rough sun spots on my arms are starting to slough off. Thank you.
Do you use Amlactin 12% mornings and evenings?
@Geb-w2f I also have been using this for a year now and my skin looks great. I use it only at night right after my shower.
@Geb-w2f yes
😂my face would have dissolved ! So glad you can use it
I use 15% the intense healing formulation daily just morning and I have some expression line in my forehead that it was reduced in half in just 3 months, in the forehead is where I have seen most results, definitely I love my skin texture it is so smooth! Love it
I’ve never tried glycolic acid, though my daughter swears by it for her keratosis pilaris. But I have recently (on your recommendation) started to use Amlactin 15% on my face at night, and WOW, my face is so smooth and soft! It hasn’t been but a couple of weeks, so I don’t know about the antiaging effects yet, but I will keep using it just for the smoothing effects and moisture alone! And a tiny bit covers my entire face, neck, and chest. Thank you so much! I never would have tried this on my own.
I use a glycolic acid toner on my upper arms 3 times a week after my shower and it has gotten rid of the “chicken skin.”
@DallasNatureLover What brand do you use? I’ve only seen Dermatologist Choice & $95 for a jar!😮
Such a clear and complete explanation, as usual. Thanks!
I absolutely love the nuance and critical thinking skills underlying the main topics in all of your videos! Been watching for years and still click on titles where I already know most of what you’re going to say solely for how cerebral they are. A+ science communication
I still prefer Glycolic Acid. Glycolic acid has made a significant difference compared to Amalactin.
What is your favorite product??
I use The Ordinary 7% daily on my face for pores and on areas of my body I’ve just shaved to prevent ingrown hair. I don’t see why both can’t be used in conjunction if your skin tolerates both.
I use Amlactin 15% on my body post-shower. It only took a week to notice much smoother skin. That stuff is legit.
Same here 👍🏽
Where do you buy it?
Did you use the one that’s in the tub ( the cream)?
@LumpyBrain Amlactin Crepe Firming Body Cream, 15% Lactic Acid, 12 oz
15% lactic acid body cream exfoliates, moisturizes and helps improve the look of crepey skin for firmer-looking texture – it’s a tub 12oz
@ejbooksAmazon
Amlactin on sale at Costco (US) until September 20th.
For how much? It was $21.99 for 20 oz. recently, which was more per ounce than you could get on Amazon. Dr. Dray showed in a video that Costco had it for I believe $13.99 in June, which would have been a great deal.
@citybright8925 The sale price is $13.99, which is $5 off the regular price of $18.99.
I’m in Texas and saw it for $16.99 until 9/20.
I’m in Tucson Az and saw it for $16.99
Just saw on Costco’s website that it’s $5 off through September (20th?) so $16.99 each. Free shipping so I ordered two.
You are extremely helpful straight to the point , honest and real very much appreciateyour integrity for regular average people !
Three months of AmLactin and my facial skin is fabulous; I’m 56!!! Love it. Thank you . My sister-in-laws are so jealous… shhhhh, our secret.
I watch you while i ride my stationary bicycle. Thank you!
Finally a “make sense” explanation. Thank you so much
I like the ordinary’s Glycolic acid
No joke I watched this on my way to the grocery store and when I got to Walmart, they had their AmLactin lotions on sale for three and five dollars on clearance so I stocked up!
Respect to Mac for the Nick Miller quote. It’s one of my favorites 😂