Description

Sodium Lactate

What is Sodium Lactate?

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, derived from the natural fermentation of sugars (often from corn or beets). It is a clear, slightly viscous liquid that functions as a humectant, moisturizer, pH regulator, and hardening agent in handmade and commercial formulations.

Key Benefits:

• Humectant: Attracts moisture to the skin, helping maintain hydration.

• Soap Hardener: Speeds up trace and helps solidify cold process soap bars faster and harder.

• Improves Unmolding: Helps cold process soaps release from molds more easily.

• Preservative Booster: Enhances the efficacy of preservatives (not a preservative itself).

• pH Regulator: Helps maintain balanced pH in formulations.

• Non-Sticky Moisturizing: Offers hydration without the tacky feel of glycerin at high concentrations.

Common Uses:

• Cold Process Soap Making

• Lotion and Cream Formulations

• Serums and Hydrating Products

• Body Washes and Cleansers

• Hair Care Products

Usage Rates:

• Cold Process Soap:✅ Use at 1% – 3% of the total oil weight, or approximately 1 tsp per pound of oils.🔸 Add to the lye water once it has cooled, not directly into oils.

• Lotions/Creams:✅ Use at 0.5% – 5% of the total formula as a humectant.🔸 Add in the cool-down phase of emulsions.

• Hydrating Serums or Sprays:✅ Use at 1% – 4% for light moisturization.

Formulation Tips:

• In soap, it makes bars harder, smoother, and longer-lasting, especially useful in high-superfat or milk soaps.

• Combine with glycerin or hyaluronic acid for powerful moisturizing effects in skincare.

• Works well across a wide pH range, especially effective between pH 3 – 9.

• Use distilled water to avoid unwanted interactions or instability in final products.

Storage:

• Store in a cool, dry place, tightly sealed.

• It’s hygroscopic (absorbs water from air), so keep it protected from moisture.

Summary Table:

Application Usage Rate 

Cold Process Soap1% – 3% of oil weight

Lotions & Creams0.5% – 5%

Serums & Hydration Sprays1% – 4%

Hair Care Products1% – 3%