The ingredient, explained

Sodium Lactate

A published expert safety assessment covers the exact ingredient in the specified exposure context.

HumectantBufferingKeratolytic

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Sodium lactate

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Humectant: Helps attract and retain moisture.
Buffering: Helps resist changes in a formula's pH.
Keratolytic: A technical role associated with removing cells from the outer skin layer.

Function definitions: 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

Safety assessment

Panel judged common lactate salts safe for consumer cosmetics up to 10%, final pH at least 3.5, with formulation or instructions addressing sun sensitivity.

What this does not tell us

Dated group AHA safety assessment, not sodium lactate-specific hydration trial. Medical uses excluded; salon conditions differ. Read-across is explicit.

Sources for this summary. DOI 10.1177/109158189801700101 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of local candidates, exact-name indexed primary journal/PubMed safety and topical searches; not a systematic review.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.