Rowan & Thistle

PLATE No. 060

Ingredient Collection

Sodium Lactate

Zea mays (botanical source)

Illustrated plate for Sodium Lactate: a tall corn plant with an ear of yellow corn, a handful of golden corn kernels, a mound of white corn-derived glucose, and a clear pool of sodium lactate solution.

Figure Key

  • Fig. 1 Corn Plant (Zea mays)
  • Fig. 2 Corn Kernels
  • Fig. 3 Corn-Derived Glucose
  • Fig. 4 Sodium Lactate Solution

The Ingredient

Sodium lactate is a moisture-attracting ingredient produced through the fermentation of plant-derived sugars. It helps draw moisture to the skin and supports hydration, leaving skin feeling softer, smoother, and more comfortable. It also contributes to the firmness of solid cleansing bars. Despite its connection to lactic acid, sodium lactate is not an exfoliating ingredient.

From Plant to Ingredient

  1. Sodium Lactate, step 1 — From Corn to Sugar: a handful of glossy golden corn kernels.

    1. From Corn to Sugar

    Corn contains starch, which can be broken down into glucose, a simple sugar. This provides the starting material for producing sodium lactate.

  2. Sodium Lactate, step 2 — Fermentation: a mound of fine white sugar crystals.

    2. Fermentation

    During fermentation, microorganisms convert glucose into lactic acid. This process transforms the plant-derived sugar into a different substance with properties useful in personal care.

  3. Sodium Lactate, step 3 — Sodium Lactate: a clear, colorless pool of the solution.

    3. Sodium Lactate

    The lactic acid is neutralized to produce sodium lactate, which is then purified. The finished ingredient is supplied as a clear liquid solution that helps attract moisture and contributes to the firmness of cleansing bars.

Why We Chose It

We chose sodium lactate for its ability to support skin hydration while improving the feel and durability of solid cleansing products. It helps skin feel comfortable after washing and contributes to bars that maintain their firmness through repeated use. Its combination of moisture-attracting properties and practical benefits makes it particularly useful in water-conscious personal care.

What You'll Notice

  • Less Dryness — Helps skin attract and retain moisture.
  • Softer Skin — Supports a smoother, more comfortable skin feel.
  • Less Tightness — Helps reduce the dry, tight feeling associated with moisture loss

Botanical Profile

Scientific Name
Zea mays (botanical source)
INCI Name
Sodium Lactate
Plant Part Used
Corn Kernels (source of glucose)
Final Ingredient
Liquid
Origin
Canada

A Closer Look

Sodium lactate is one of the substances naturally present in healthy skin that help maintain hydration. It's part of what scientists call the natural moisturizing factor, a collection of compounds that attract and hold water within the skin's outermost layer. Interestingly, sodium lactate can be produced through fermentation, using microorganisms to transform simple plant sugars into an ingredient that helps support the skin's own moisture-retaining system.

Products Featuring Sodium Lactate Featured In

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