Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
Emulsifier
No known benefits
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate at a glance
- Stabilises the water phase of formulas that contain hydrating ingredients
- Works via its interaction with proteins and starches, where it can also help modify a product’s texture
- Often classified as a surfactant/emulsifying agent
- Described as a white to pale yellow waxy substance in its raw material form
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate description
Sodium stearoyl lactylate is a synthetic or animal-derived ingredient (Paula’s Choice Skincare uses the former) that stabilises the water phase of moisturisers and other skin care products that contain hydrating ingredients. Sodium stearoyl lactylate works via its interaction with proteins and starches, where it can also help modify a product’s texture. It is often classified as a surfactant/emulsifying agent. As a raw material, sodium stearoyl lactylate is described as a white to pale yellow waxy substance. The 2019 Cosmetic Ingredient Review assessment of sodium stearoyl lactylate deemed it to be a safe cosmetic ingredient in the practises of use and concentrations described in their report. They surveyed 358 products using between 0.00011-7% concentration.
