Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Sodium Lactate / Lactic Acid ratio

  • Sodium Lactate / Lactic Acid ratio

    Posted by bigdave on June 25, 2018 at 4:01 am

    Hi folks.

    I have a facial exfoliating peel product made of hydrosols, 10% Lactic Acid, xanthan gum, and preservative. Very simple, right. I read that Sodium Lactate can reduce irritation while boosting the exfoliation effect, in addition to its superior moisturizing. Can any recommend a safe ratio of Lactic Acid to Sodium Lactate?

    Thanks in advance!!

    Dave

    markbroussard replied 5 years, 9 months ago 2 Members · 1 Reply
  • 1 Reply
  • markbroussard

    Member
    June 25, 2018 at 11:39 am

    @bigdave:

    You don’t have to worry about “safe” ratio of Lactic Acid to Sodium Lactate.  Adding Sodium Lactate to your peel product will impart all of the benefits you have indicated, but the major effect from a formulation perspective will be that Sodium Lactate will raise the pH.

    If this is a consumer peel products, in the US, the pH should be 3.5 or higher.  So, the answer to your question is that you should add as much Sodium Lactate (the sodium salt of Lactic Acid) in sufficient quantity to raise your pH to 3.5.

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