Ammonium Lactate is the ammonium salt of lactic acid and is a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient used in personal-care and skin-care formulations. It is identified by the INCI name AMMONIUM LACTATE and is commonly supplied as an aqueous solution. Cosmetic ingredient references identify Ammonium Lactate for buffering, humectant, keratolytic and skin-conditioning functions.
As a humectant, Ammonium Lactate helps formulations retain moisture. Its buffering functionality can support pH control, while its keratolytic function is relevant to formulations intended to improve the removal of superficial dead skin cells. These characteristics make Ammonium Lactate particularly relevant to moisturising and skin-smoothing formulations.
Commercial Ammonium Lactate is frequently supplied as a concentrated aqueous solution. A 60% w/w solution is a commonly encountered commercial form, so the active concentration and water content should always be considered when calculating formulation quantities.
Ammonium Lactate has the CAS Number 515-98-0 and EC Number 208-214-8. Its chemical name is ammonium 2-hydroxypropanoate, and it is also described as the ammonium salt of lactic acid.
The molecular formula is C₃H₉NO₃, with a molecular weight of approximately 107.11 g/mol.
Unlike many solid cosmetic raw materials, Ammonium Lactate is commonly handled commercially as an aqueous liquid. A 60% w/w aqueous material is described as a solution rather than a dry crystalline ingredient. Consequently, specifications such as assay, water content, density and pH need to be linked to the exact commercial concentration.
The stereochemical form of lactate can also be relevant. Products may be based on racemic ammonium lactate or a defined lactate stereoisomer, so the identity stated on the supplier specification should be checked before formulation.
Ammonium Lactate provides several functions within cosmetic formulations. As a humectant, it helps retain moisture and can contribute to the hydration characteristics of skin-care products. As a buffering ingredient, it can participate in controlling or stabilising formulation pH.
Its keratolytic functionality is particularly relevant to skin-smoothing applications because it can assist in the removal of superficial dead skin cells. The ingredient is therefore associated with formulations intended for dry, rough or uneven-feeling skin.
Ammonium Lactate can also function as a skin-conditioning ingredient, helping maintain the desired condition and feel of the skin. The actual effect depends on concentration, formulation pH, product type and the combination of other ingredients.
Ammonium Lactate can be incorporated into a range of personal-care formulations where moisturisation, skin conditioning, surface renewal and pH management are desired. Potential applications include moisturising creams, lotions, body-care products, facial-care formulations, skin-smoothing products and other aqueous personal-care systems.
Its water-compatible nature makes concentrated aqueous grades convenient for incorporation into water phases. The commercial form must, however, be considered during formulation because adding a 60% solution also introduces approximately 40% water before accounting for any grade-specific composition.
Ammonium Lactate is particularly relevant to formulations designed around the properties of lactate salts. Cosmetic ingredient databases specifically identify its use as a buffering, humectant, keratolytic and skin-conditioning ingredient.
The concentration of the commercial material is one of the most important specification parameters for Ammonium Lactate. A 60% w/w solution and a more dilute or concentrated grade cannot be treated as having the same active content.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has evaluated lactic acid and its common salts, including Ammonium Lactate, in the context of cosmetic use. Its published assessment described use of these ingredients at concentrations up to 10% in general cosmetic formulations at final pH ≥3.5, with additional conditions for professional salon products. This is a safety assessment framework, not a universal formulation limit for every market or product category.
For raw-material quality control, the specification should clearly identify active concentration, pH, appearance, water content, impurities and analytical method. The Assay (HPLC) field should not be assigned a numerical value unless the actual Ammonium Lactate product is tested using an HPLC method. For aqueous commercial grades, assay may instead be determined by an appropriate titrimetric method.
Ammonium Lactate is a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient suitable for manufacturers developing moisturising, skin-conditioning and skin-smoothing formulations. Its combination of humectant, buffering and keratolytic properties provides formulation flexibility across different personal-care applications.
For B2B cosmetic raw-material sourcing, the selected grade should be specified by concentration, physical form, pH and applicable analytical requirements. This is especially important for aqueous Ammonium Lactate because active content and water content directly affect formulation calculations.
As an Ammonium Lactate Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India, the focus is on consistent raw-material specifications, controlled quality parameters and suitability for bulk personal-care formulation requirements.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |