Sodium Lactate Solution - Essentially Natural

R39.00

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INCI: Sodium lactate, Aqua

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.

Need detailed info? COAs and SDSs are available — just send us the product name and batch number, and we’ll gladly share them with you.

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.

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