IHL · Humectants & solvents
Sodium Lactate 60%
- INCI name
- Sodium Lactate
- CAS number
- 72-17-3
- EC number
- 200-772-0
- Physical form
- Liquid
- Country of origin
- USA · Netherlands · China
- HS code
- 2918.11
- Grade
- Cosmetic / USP available
- Shelf life
- 24 months
One to three percent on oil weight and your cold process bar unmolds a day sooner and lasts a week longer. The cheapest hardness improvement in soapmaking.
| Appearance | Clear colorless to pale yellow syrupy liquid |
|---|---|
| Odour | Odorless to faint characteristic |
| Solubility | Miscible with water; insoluble in oil |
| Melting point | n/a (solution) |
| pH | ~6.5–8.5 |
| HLB | n/a |
| Storage | Cool, sealed |
| Manufacturing process | Neutralization of fermentation-derived lactic acid (corn or beet sugar substrate) with sodium hydroxide. |
Certifications
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Palm-free
- Vegan
In full: Vegan · Gluten-free · Palm-free · Non-GMO available · Dairy-free
| Application | Use rate |
|---|---|
| Cold process soap (hardener) | 1–3% of oil weight — the primary use |
| Lotion | 1–3% |
| Cream | 1–4% |
Formulation notes
- Add to the cooled lye solution, not to the oils. Adding it to hot lye will spatter.
- Sodium lactate is reported to increase photosensitivity. Keep it under about 3% in leave-on facial products.
- A natural component of skin's NMF, which is the honest basis for the humectant claim. It is not a moisturizer in its own right.
Applications
- Cold process soap
- Lotion and cream
- Liquid soap
- Hand soap
- Bath products
Not classified as hazardous
Not classified as hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200 (HazCom 2012, as amended 2024). Determination to be confirmed against the incoming lot's manufacturer SDS before publication.
- Transport classification
- Not regulated for transport — DOT, IATA, IMDG.
- Allergen statement
- No FDA major food allergen. 'Lactate' is a chemical name, not a dairy indicator — this material is fermentation-derived from plant sugar and contains no dairy. We put this on the page because customers ask constantly.
California Proposition 65
No listed constituent identified.
- SDS Safety Data Sheet On request
- TDS Technical Data Sheet On request
- COA Certificate of Analysis On request
- Allergen Allergen statement On request
- GMO GMO statement On request
- BSE/TSE BSE/TSE statement On request
- Vegan Vegan statement On request
- RSPO RSPO certificate On request
We send documents on request. No account, no vendor-qualification fee. Ask for Sodium Lactate 60% documents.