Polylactic Acid

Plant-Derived Synthetic

Chemical Exfoliant

Acid

Clean

Polymer of lactic acid

CAS #

9051-89-2

Form

Liquid

Functions

Abrasive

Supports cell turnover

Draws water to skin

Smooths skin texture

Traditional Use

Developed in the 1980s-1990s as a biodegradable polymer derived from corn or sugarcane fermentation. Used in modern skincare as a gentle exfoliant and in anti-aging products to stimulate collagen production.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not an Irritant

ewg-1

medical-approval

pregnancy-nursing-safe

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types, gentle

Best For

Uneven Texture

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

Verified Jun 2026

Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR