Humectant ·

Limited evidence

Sodium Lactate

What is it?

The sodium salt of lactic acid, a genuine component of skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), used in skincare as a humectant and pH adjuster.

What does it do?

A natural moisturizing factor (NMF) component. According to PubMed, a controlled study of sodium lauryl sulphate-induced barrier disruption found lactate (along with ornithine and urea) was among the NMF components that actually increased in response to surfactant exposure and normalized fastest during skin recovery -- evidence for lactate's physiological role in the skin's own moisture-regulation system, from a barrier-disruption study rather than a topical-supplementation trial.

Local suppliers (Coming soon)

We're building a directory of South African suppliers and manufacturers who stock this ingredient — check back soon.

See how this fits your skin — try SKYNN AI, free

Sources

Important disclaimer

This page provides general skincare information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Ingredient interactions and evidence summaries reflect published, cited sources — not a personal assessment of your skin. For medical skin conditions, rashes, pregnancy/lactation questions or persistent concerns, please consult a licensed dermatologist or HPCSA-registered practitioner.