Vegetable Lactic Acid 80%, 100 ml

Lactic acid 80% has two roles in cosmetics: it lowers the pH of finished products and acts as an active ingredient with an exfoliating and moisturising effect. The same raw material can therefore be used to fine-tune the pH of a shampoo as well as in a facial serum.

It is produced by fermentation and dissolves in water. It is therefore added to the water phase of toners, serums, gels and emulsions, or to surfactant products. It is suitable for oily, problem, acne-prone and normal skin.

Effects and functions in cosmetics

• Exfoliation – lactic acid supports the shedding of dead cells from the surface of the skin. It is used in products for the face, body, hands and feet.
• Hydration – as a humectant, it binds water and supports skin hydration. It performs this function in toners, serums and emulsions.
• Signs of skin ageing – besides exfoliation and hydration, it is also used in anti-ageing skin care.
• pH adjustment – as a pH regulator, it lowers the pH of aqueous solutions, gels, emulsions and surfactant products to the value required by the recipe.

Use in formulations

The raw material is an 80% aqueous solution of lactic acid, with the remaining 20% being water. It is suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on products. In toners, gels and serums prepared cold, it is added directly to the water phase. In emulsions made hot, it is incorporated only in the cooling phase, once the temperature drops below 40 °C.

The recommended usage rate of the raw material is 1–10%. When adjusting pH, add the acid in small amounts while stirring constantly, and measure the pH after each addition.

The recommended pH range of a formulation with lactic acid is 3.0–4.0. The raw material is compatible with anionic, amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants and with alcohol.

Suitable for products such as

• Exfoliating toners and serums – aqueous products prepared cold, in which the acid dissolves directly in the water phase.
• Face and body creams, body lotions – emulsions to which it is added during cooling. This also includes products for the hands and feet.
• Rinse-off masks and cleansing gels – products for oily and problem skin, where it acts as an active ingredient.
• Shampoos and scalp products – pH adjustment of the surfactant base.
• Shower gels and bath products – here it serves as a pH regulator.

Good to know

The solution has a yellow colour. In clear and white products, it is advisable to check at higher usage rates whether it affects the final shade. The raw material is readily biodegradable.

Frequently asked questions