The ingredient, explained

Polylactic Acid

A primary study examines this ingredient in the specified preparation and setting.

Abrasive

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Polymer of lactic acid

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Abrasive: Provides mechanical surface cleaning or polishing.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human injection study

Immediate injection improved facial-lipoatrophy self-ratings versus delayed-treatment group; benefits persisted through follow-up.

What this does not tell us

Injected deep dermal filler in HIV-associated lipoatrophy, not topical polymer cosmetic benefit. Open label, no placebo, 30 participants. The 24-week period is follow-up, not continuous exposure duration.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 15012646 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of local candidates, exact-name indexed primary journal/PubMed safety and topical searches; not a systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.