The ingredient, explained
Methyl Lactate
2-Hydroxy-propanoic acid methyl ester, -S-- / 2-hydroxy-propanoic acid methyl ester
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Flavouring
- Adds or modifies a product's flavour, including in oral-care products such as toothpaste.
- Perfuming
- A formulation role for perfume and aromatic raw materials that give a product its scent.
- Solvent
- Dissolves other ingredients in a formula.
Function definitions: European Commission JRC: Flavouring roles in toothpaste formulations ↗ · Danish Environmental Protection Agency: Cosmetic fragrance functions ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
We have not yet published a checked study for this exact ingredient. This is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that research does not exist or that the ingredient is ineffective.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- METHYL LACTATE
- CAS registry number
- 27871-49-4, 547-64-8
- EC number
- 248-704-9 / 208-930-0
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026