Tartaric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that’s naturally found in many fruits, namely grapes; it’s actually one of the main acids found in wine! It is a gentler acid than other more mainstream AHAs like glycolic and lactic acid. This makes it a wonderful ingredient for those with sensitive skin who want to get in on the chemical exfoliation game.
As with all AHAs, these products should only be used in the nighttime. Chemical exfoliants increase the risk of sun sensitivity and you should always avoid sun exposure after application+ apply SPF in the daytime. Here are the best products to try out so that you can incorporate tartaric acid into your skincare routine too!
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The Best Skincare Formulated with Tartaric Acid:
1. Triple Berry Smoothing Peel by Renée Rouleau
Clocking in at $88.50 this is an at-home chemical exfoliating peel that gives professional results! It’s formulated with Mandelic, Lactic, Salicylic, Tartaric and Malic acids!
This formula does contain quite a few fragrant and citrus extracts so I would not recommend it for sensitive skin types. Some ingredients that I am excited about in this formula are radish root ferment filtrate which is a natural preservative and salicylic acid! SA is one of the most highly researched treatments for acne and helps break up trapped oil, dead skin cells, and dirt which prevents future breakouts. You can learn more about Salicylic acid in my detailed skincare guide on the acid here.
Ingredients: Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit, Glycerin, Aqua (Water), Lactic Acid (L), Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Fruit, Salicylic Acid, Malic Acid (L), Mandelic Acid (L), Tartaric Acid (L), Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lycium Barbarum (Goji Berry) Fruit Extract, Lycopene, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Citrus Sinensis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Wine Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Bromelain, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry) Bark Extract, Citrus Nobilis (Red Mandarin Orange) Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Pink Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Natural Fragrance, Sodium Metabisulfite, Caprylhydroxamic Acid.
2.Liquid ExfoliKate by Kate Sommerville
Next up is $58-20 Liquid ExfoliKate (I see what they did there 😂), a leave-on chemical exfoliating serum for night time use. It’s formulated with a plethora of exfoliating acids including tartaric acid, honey, and peptides! It’s also a proud Allure Best of Beauty 2020 winner.
Powered by 10% AHAs & fruit enzymes, this nightly leave-on treatment gently exfoliates, dissolving dead skin cell buildup that can interfere with optimal absorption of your skincare routine.
katesomerville.com
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower/Leaf/Stem Water, Lactic Acid,Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Phytic Acid, Glycerin, Papain,Boswellia Serrata Extract, Mel Extract/Honey Extract/Extrait de Miel, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Extract, Bromelain, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Tetrapeptide-14, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool.
3.The OrdinaryAHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
If you’re as big of a skincare junkie as me you might already have this one in your cabinet! This bloody brilliant exfoliating treatment is from The Ordinary, this is the wildly popular AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution! It contains Tartaric Acid, Glycolic Acid & Lactic Acid that exfoliate the outer layers of the skin plus Salicylic Acid that exfoliates inside the pores to reduce congestion. The extremely affordable $7.20 price tag is also very attractive to any budget!
Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan gum, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.
4.Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
Switching back to the luxury skincare scene another lush serum featuring tartaric acid is the $90-134 TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum from Drunk Elephant. This is formulated with glycolic plus, tartaric, lactic, and citric acids that all help to exfoliate built-up dead skin cells.
I personally would not drop this much cash on a serum but this has been a cult favorite with rave reviews for many years! If you decide to splash out I recommend waiting for one of Sephora’s seasonal sitewide sales in April or November.
Ingredients: Water /Aqua/ Eau, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Galactoarabinan, Propanediol, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Nitrate, Potassium Sorbate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate.
5.Honest Beauty Beauty Sleep Resurfacing Serum
This multitasking exfoliating serum is formulated with 5 hardworking AHAs = glycolic, lactic, citric, malic, and tartaric acid! The Honest Beauty Sleep Resurfacing Serum is $28 for 1 oz of product. It’s also fragrance-free, cruelty-free & vegan!
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract, Propanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Sap, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Nitrate, Monosodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide.
The GlamGlow Super Serum is formulated with the brand’s signature 6 acid blend of Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Tartaric Acid, and Pyruvic Acid. It also contains activated charcoal which helps draw out impurities from the pores and hyaluronic acid to increase hydration! This retails for $65 for 1 oz of serum.
Ingredients: Water, Peg-8, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycolic Adic, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Powder, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Charcoal Powder, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Algae Extract, Butyrospermum, Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Dimethicone, Silica, Xanthan Gum, Hdi/Trimethylol, Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium, Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Be-Heneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Urea, Fragrance (Parfum), Linalool, Bht, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Blue 1 (Ci 42090), Red 4 (Ci 14700).
7. Josh Rosebrook Daily Acid Toner
This is a hardworking toner that gently exfoliates the skin with tartaric acid and increases hydration and collagen production with sea kelp and hibiscus flower acid!
This toner can be used during your daily nighttime skincare routine after cleansing and before serums and moisturizer.
From the brand:
Multiple acids including pyruvic, malic, tartaric, and citric work to exfoliate, reduce hyperpigmentation, improve skin hydration, barrier function, and stimulate collagen growth.
Ulta.com
Ingredients: Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, *Glycerin, Water, Montmorillonite (Clay), Hibiscus Flower Acid, Sea Kelp Extract, Irish Moss Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Vitamin B5, L-Proline, Hydroxyproline, Galactoarabian, *Green Tea Leaf, *Turmeric Root, *Calendula Flower, *Chamomile Flowers, *White Peony Tea, Glycolic Acid, *Echinacea, *Elderberry, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin
8. Perfectionist Pro Instant Resurfacing Peel
Last but not least, I’m rounding off this list with the Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Instant Resurfacing Peel With 9.9% AHAs + BHA. What a mouthful!
This is a rinse-off chemical peel treatment that you apply to the skin for 10 minutes and then rinse off with cold water to deactivate the chemical exfoliants and reveal rejuvenated skin! This peel is formulated with glycolic, citric, and salicylic acids as well as tartaric acid. This is a rather heavy-duty exfoliator with high concentrations of AHA + BHAs so be sure to carefully follow the instructions and avoid leaving it on the skin for extended periods of time.
If you would like to see before and after results from using the Perfectionist Pro Instant Resurfacing Peel I highly recommend that you watch this review by hueyyrouge:
