Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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 amzlink.to/az0r9ArzAFr9W
Glycolic acid products I recommend: amzlink.to/az09Ts3KSZ2YV
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.
💜Shop my Amazon store https://o.bttn.io/0BwiPWFIZLG
💜Follow me on liketoknowit https://www.liketoknow.it/drdrayzday
💜Social media
Instagram @drdrayzday
Pinterest pinterest.com/drdrayzday
Facebook @DrDrayzDay
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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.
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 amzlink.to/az0r9ArzAFr9W
Glycolic acid products I recommend: amzlink.to/az09Ts3KSZ2YV
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.
💜Shop my Amazon store https://o.bttn.io/0BwiPWFIZLG
💜Follow me on liketoknowit https://www.liketoknow.it/drdrayzday
💜Social media
Instagram @drdrayzday
Pinterest pinterest.com/drdrayzday
Facebook @DrDrayzDay
Twitter: @drdrayzday
Tiktok: @drdrayzday
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.
