Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: June 30, 2025
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We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate?

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate is a food and cosmetic grade ingredient created by combining lactic acid, stearic acid and a touch of lye. The result is a white to pale-yellow powder or flaky solid that dissolves well in warm water and disperses easily in oils. Because the raw acids can be sourced from vegetable fats like coconut or palm as well as from dairy-derived fermentation, most cosmetic suppliers now offer a plant-based version to meet vegan preferences.

First adopted by the baking industry in the 1950s as a dough conditioner, formulators soon noticed its impressive ability to keep oil and water blends stable. That discovery led to its steady migration into skincare and haircare during the 1980s.

Today it appears in moisturizers, lotions, cleansing balms, sunscreens, hair conditioners, sheet mask essences and even color cosmetics where a smooth, uniform texture is essential. Industrially, it is produced in stainless-steel reactors where lactic acid and stearic acid are esterified then neutralized with sodium carbonate, filtered and spray-dried to a fine powder ready for formulation.

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

In personal care products this ingredient delivers one key benefit.

Emulsifying: It acts as a bridge between oil and water so creams stay blended, feel silky and resist separating on the shelf. This stability means products spread evenly on skin, deliver actives consistently and maintain an appealing texture throughout their lifespan.

Who Can Use Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate

This emulsifier is considered suitable for every skin type, including oily, dry, combination and mature skin, because it has no oiliness of its own and tends to feel lightweight once blended into a formula. Even reactive or redness-prone complexions usually tolerate it well since it stays on the surface to do its job and is used at low concentrations. There are no skin types that are outright discouraged from using it, though anyone with a known allergy to lactic or stearic acid derivatives should proceed with caution.

Vegans and vegetarians can typically use products containing Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate so long as the manufacturer sources the lactic and stearic acids from plant materials like sugar beet fermentation and coconut or palm oil. Most cosmetic suppliers specify this on the ingredient list or product page, so a quick check ensures it aligns with personal ethics.

The ingredient is not known to pose a special risk to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Current safety assessments show no reproductive or developmental toxicity at the concentrations found in cosmetics. That said, this is not medical advice; anyone expecting or nursing should run new skincare items past a qualified healthcare provider just to be safe.

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate does not increase photosensitivity, so it will not make skin more prone to sunburn. It also plays well with common actives like retinol, vitamin C and niacinamide, making it an easy fit in most routines.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Reactions to topical Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate can vary from person to person. The side effects below are possible yet uncommon when the ingredient is used correctly in a finished product.

  • Mild stinging or burning A brief tingle can occur on freshly exfoliated or compromised skin
  • Transient redness Very sensitive users may notice temporary flushing where the product was applied
  • Dry or tight feeling Rarely, those with severely dehydrated skin might perceive slight dryness until a moisturizer is layered
  • Allergic contact dermatitis Extremely uncommon but possible for individuals allergic to lactylate compounds

If any of these reactions develop and persist, stop using the product and seek guidance from a healthcare professional or dermatologist.

Comedogenic Rating

Rating: 1/5. Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate is considered very low on the pore-clogging scale because it is used in small amounts and has a large molecular size that tends to sit on the surface instead of seeping into pores. It also rinses away easily in cleansers and disperses well in water-based formulas, leaving little residue. For these reasons it is generally suitable for people prone to acne or breakouts. If a product feels heavy or greasy the problem is more likely from other rich oils in the formula rather than this emulsifier.

Summary

Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate’s main job in cosmetics is to act as an emulsifier, pulling oil and water together so creams, lotions, balms and conditioners stay smooth and unchanged from the first use to the last. It does this by holding on to water at one end of its structure and oil at the other, creating a stable mix that feels silky and spreads evenly.

While not as famous as ingredients like hyaluronic acid or retinol, it is quietly popular among formulators because it is reliable, vegan friendly and mild. You will spot it in everything from sunscreens to hair masks where a uniform texture is needed.

Current safety reviews find it non-irritating and non-sensitizing at the levels used in personal care. Still, everyone’s skin is unique so it is smart to patch test any new product that contains this or any other unfamiliar ingredient before using it on a larger area.

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