Source: Natural, raw material is currently being registered by ECO-CERT GREENLIFE, conform to the COSMOS Standard.

Sodium L(+)-Lactate is the sodium salt of L(+)-lactic acid, obtained by neutralisation of the acid of natural origin with a high purity sodium source. Lactate is produced naturally by living organisms as a by-product of the glycolysis. Sodium lactate is an effective moisturiser with a high water holding capacity and buffering properties.

The human skin naturally provides two main barriers against excessive water loss. Firstly, there is the structure of the outmost skin layer, the stratum corneum (SC), which creates a physical barrier. The staggered alignment of the SC cells, the corneocytes, and the intercellular lipid lamellae effectively extend the route water must travel before evaporating from the body. Secondly, the corneocytes themselves contain a specially designed medium consisting of a variety of hygroscopic, water-binding substances.

This mixture, referred to as the natural moisturising factor (NMF), creates a biochemical barrier against skin dehydration. Among the constituents of the NMF we find amino acids and their derivatives, urea and lactates. Due to their natural occurrence, these substances are of particular interest for moisturising properties. Apart from being directly employed in formulations, the constituents of the NMF also serve as a guideline to identify further suitable ingredients. For instance, hydrophilic compounds with hydroxyl or carboxyl moieties such as polyols or sugars are further promising candidates.