Lactic acid is a member of the ALPHA-HYDROXY ACID family. Alpha-hydroxy acids or AHA's are known to act on the skin in three distinct fashions:

Firstly, AHA's act as simple humectants (water-binding ingredients), that absorb moisture from the atmosphere, increasing the water content of the outer layer of the skin and thus moisturizing your feet.

Secondly, AHA's exfoliate your feet because they are known to break the bonds between dead skin cells that form at the surface of the skin. This sloughing action leaves your feet smooth and free of dry, flaky skin.

Thirdly, AHA's speed up the normal process of skin cell regeneration and strengthen the bonds between inter-cellular walls. This results in the thickening and firming of the deeper dermal layer, making the skin more flexible and resilient to fissuring.

Lastly, the acid mantle of the skin is also maintained at the optimum ph, which has been found to inhibit the growth of fungus and bacteria on the skin surface.