C12-13 Alkyl Lactate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is an emollient and skin-conditioning ester that adds slip, reduces greasy feel, and helps disperse oil-soluble components in creams, lotions, and color cosmetics.
What does C12-13 Alkyl Lactate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is an emollient and skin-conditioning ester that adds slip, reduces greasy feel, and helps disperse oil-soluble components in creams, lotions, and color cosmetics.
Is C12-13 Alkyl Lactate clean?
It is generally well tolerated and does not sit on common clean-beauty restricted lists. Sensitivity is uncommon, but overall comfort depends on the full formula and use level.
Is C12-13 Alkyl Lactate sustainable?
This material can be made from plant-derived or petro-derived feedstocks, depending on the supplier. It is expected to biodegrade more readily than silicone-based emollients and does not raise major persistence concerns.
Is C12-13 Alkyl Lactate COSMOS-approved?
It can be permitted under COSMOS-natural when made from approved natural-origin inputs through allowed esterification chemistry. From a Green Chemistry view, it aligns best when the fatty alcohol and acid inputs are renewable and the process uses efficient, low-residue manufacturing.
How does C12-13 Alkyl Lactate work chemically?
The molecule is a mixed-chain ester built from a small alpha-hydroxy acid component and C12 to C13 fatty alcohols, giving it a lightweight, oil-compatible emollient profile. It is typically used in the low single-digit to mid-single-digit percentage range, and ester stability is best in mildly acidic to neutral systems rather than strongly alkaline formulas.
Last updated 2026-05-13