Amlactin vs. Glycolic Acid: Which Is Better for Anti-Aging?

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. Glyco