Vinay Kumar Singh.
Head-Formulation
Kumar Organic Products Research Centre Pvt. Ltd.,
Bengaluru
Email : formulation_krc@kopresearchcentre.net
Sodium lauroyllactylate is a naturally derived ingredient used in skin and hair care products.Sodium LauroylLactylate is a sodium salt of the lauric acid ester of lactyl lactate with excellent emulsifying and conditioning capabilities.Sodium lauryl lactylate is a versatile ingredient known for its multifunctional properties in cosmetic and personal care formulations as well as in food products. As an environmentally friendly replacement for alkanolamides, it provides rheology control and aesthetically pleasing dense, creamy foam and is a common ingredient for many formulations.
Due to their sodium back bone the lactylates are able to penetrate the top layers of skin to offer:
• residual moisturization (moisture barrier)
• extended fragrance release
• enhance delivery of actives
Use of Sodium LauroylLactylate in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
• Sodium lauroyllactylate is primarily used as a surfactant in skin care products such as cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. As a surfactant, it helps to break down the oil and dirt on the skin’s surface, allowing them to be washed away with water. SLL is a mild surfactant that does not strip the skin of its natural oils, making it ideal for gentle and moisturizing skin care products.
• SLL is used as emulsifier in many cosmetic products, including lotions, creams, and hair conditioners. Emulsifiers help blend oil and water-based ingredients, creating a smooth and homogeneous texture. SLL is a particularly effective emulsifier as it is compatible with a wide range of oils and is stable over a range of pH levels.
• Another benefit of SLL is its ability to improve the texture and feel of products. It can help to thicken formulations and create a creamy, luxurious texture that is pleasant to use. Additionally, it can enhance the skin feel of products, making them feel smoother and more moisturizing.
Applications in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Here is a breakdown of the different functions of SLL :
Function & Applications
Surfactant-Anionic : Due to the high foaming character of SLL, it may be employed as a primary surfactant in sulfate-free formulations or used as a secondary surfactant to add additional benefits. It is a biodegradable and bio-renewable replacement for petroleum-based surfactants.
Sodium lauroyllactylate reduces surface tension between liquids, allowing those liquids to mix evenly and eliminating greasy residue. In addition, due to SLL being a natural surfactant, it provides a light foam to products and helps remove dirt and oil from the skin.
Its unique texture and easy solubility make it an ideal choice for shampoos, body washes, lotions, facial cleansers, and many other products that require the inclusion of a surfactant to perform their intended functions. Plus, SLL is gentle enough to be used on many skin types without drying skin out. As a surfactant, sodium lauroyllactylate facilitates the removal of dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin and hair, making it a valuable ingredient in cleansers, body washes, and shampoos.
Emulsifier : Works as an excellent emulsifier in creams and lotions, providing an alpha-hydroxy acid benefit at lower pH.
It may be used to improve formulation consistency.
Its emulsifying properties contribute to the creation of stable emulsions in cosmetic formulations. This is essential for products like creams and lotions, ensuring the even dispersion of water and oil-based ingredients.
Skin Conditioning & Emolliency: Acts as an emulsifier and cleanser with conditioning properties for hair and skin, adding moisturizing and anti-static benefits. Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate can improve the texture and smooth feel of products
SLL contains the fatty acid known as lauric acid. This component helps to lubricate skin and strengthen the skin barrier, which helps skin to retain water. This helps products better moisturize skin while providing a silky feeling.
Additionally, lauric acid is effective for acne-prone skin due to its antimicrobial properties. It is able to penetrate pores without clogging them.
This is why SLL is an excellent ingredient in facial creams and cleansers.
Antimicrobial : Being derived from lauric acid, SLL also serves to have antimicrobial characteristics. It meets the antimicrobial needs in deodorants, mouthwashes, and feminine hygiene products.
Foam Booster : Acts as a foam booster and stabilizer in shampoos and skin cleansers, imparting softness and moisturization. In cleansers, lactylates can improve the salt-thickening response of cleansing surfactant systems.
• Thickener & Stabilizer
• Enhanced Texture Stability
• Thickens and increases the shelf life of products. Used as a mild thickening agent in cosmetics.
• In creams and lotions, sodium lauroyllactylate helps create a smooth and well-textured product, enhancing the user experience and application feel.
• By promoting the stability of formulations, sodium lauroyllactylate plays a role in extending the shelf life of cosmetic products, ensuring they remain effective over time.
Product Examples
Here are some examples of the many products Sodium LauroylLactylate is found in:
Type & Examples
Bath & Shower : Baby Wash, Face Wash, Laundry Products, Liquid and Bar Soaps, Body Wash, and Cleansers
Haircare : Shampoos and Hair Cleansers
Skincare : Moisturizers, Skin Cleanser/Protectant, Facial Cleansers, Lotions/Creams, Makeup Removers, and Shaving Creams
Fragrance Release : Sprays, deodorants
Oral Care : Dentifrices, Mouth Wash
Other : Vegetable & Fruit Disinfectants and Pet shampoos (as a surfactant)
Experiments were conducted to Study the property of Foam of SLL.
Results were as under.
Increase of SLL concentration also gives a good dense bubble foam leaving no residue.
SLL Foam height Level is more stable also with adding oil than the control which shows a drastic decrease in foam height level with oil .
Following is a typical example of Formulation.
Baby Wash with Sodium lauroyllactylate (SLL)
Procedure
1. Weigh phases A & B ingredients separately and heat to 50°C.
2. Add phase B to A. Mix well with slow stirring speed .
3. Add phase C sequentially to the mixture .
4. Add phase D , mix it well.
5. Add phase E by adjusting the pH.
6. Mix well. Allow the batch to cool & settle.
Product Specification: Appearance: Transparent Viscous liquid.pH : 5.78
Some important product points to keep in mind when formulating with the lactylates.
• unlike stand alone emulsifiers there is / are no thickening properties
• unlike the more common surfactants they will not respond to sodium
• the lactylates are non-ionic
Sodium lauroyllactylate is known as an enhancing ingredient. This means it improves the functioning of the active ingredients in your cosmetic products.
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