Essentially Natural Sodium Lactate Solution is a 60% aqueous solution of sodium lactate, the salt of lactic acid. It
is used as a humectant in skincare and haircare formulations, helping attract and retain water for a moisturised,
comfortable feel. In cold and hot process soap making, it is commonly added to help bars harden sooner, unmould more
easily and maintain a firm finish. This water-based ingredient can be processed hot or cold and is normally used at
low levels.
♡ Why we love it: Sodium Lactate Solution is useful across both personal care formulation and traditional soap making.
It gives makers a reliable way to support moisture in water-based products while also helping improve the handling and
firmness of handmade soap bars.
Key Properties
- INCI Name: Sodium Lactate, Aqua
- Ingredients: Sodium lactate and water
- Concentration: 60% aqueous solution
- Ingredient Type: Humectant and soap-making additive
- Form: Liquid
- Solubility: Water soluble
- Typical Usage Rate: 0.5-4% in personal care formulations
- Processing: Suitable for hot or cold processing
- ECOCERT Approved
- COSMOS Approved
- Suitable For: Skincare, Haircare, Soap Making And Water-Based Cosmetic Formulations
- Storage: Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight
What It's Used For
- Humectant support in creams, lotions, gels and conditioners
- Helping skin and hair feel comfortably moisturised
- Supporting moisture in scalp and haircare formulas
- Hardening cold process and hot process soap bars
- Helping cold process soaps unmould sooner
- pH-buffering systems when used alongside lactic acid
- Replacing part of the glycerine in suitable water-based formulas
Who It's For
This Product Is For:
- Formulators wanting a water-soluble humectant
- Soap makers looking for firmer bars and easier unmoulding
- Water-based skincare and haircare formulations
- Makers assessing alternatives to glycerine
- Formulators able to test electrolyte-sensitive systems
This Product Is Not For:
- Anhydrous products with no water phase
- Direct use as a finished skincare product
- Formulations that cannot tolerate added electrolytes
- Anyone expecting it to preserve a water-based product
- Products that have not been tested for stability and viscosity
How To Use
- As a Humectant: Add to the water phase at 0.5-4% and mix thoroughly.
-
As a Glycerine Alternative: Replace part of the glycerine in a formula and assess the resulting texture and skin
feel.
- In Cold Process Soap: Add approximately 1 teaspoon per 500g of oils to cooled lye water.
- In Hot Process Soap: Use at approximately 3-5% of the oil weight and incorporate during processing.
- As a Buffering Ingredient: Use alongside lactic acid only in a properly designed and tested buffering system.
- Processing Tip: Test viscosity and stability when using electrolyte-sensitive gums, polymers or thickeners.
Safety Instructions
- For cosmetic formulation and soap-making use
- For external use only
- Do not ingest
- Avoid contact with eyes
- Patch test finished topical formulations
- Wear appropriate protective equipment when working with soap-making lye
- Store tightly sealed away from heat and direct sunlight
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
FAQs
Q: Does Sodium Lactate feel sticky on the skin?
A: It is generally comfortable at normal use levels, although higher concentrations can create a tackier feel.
Q: Does it replace a preservative?
A: No. Water-containing formulas still require a suitable preservation system.
Q: Why is it used in handmade soap?
A: It helps soap become firm sooner, which can make unmoulding easier and improve the finished bar’s durability.
Q: Can it be used with electrolyte-sensitive thickeners?
A: It can reduce viscosity in some systems, so a small stability test is important before scaling the formula.
Q: Can it completely replace glycerine?
A: It can replace some or all of the glycerine in certain formulas, but the skin feel, stability and compatibility
should be tested.
