Chitosan Lactate is the lactate salt of chitosan, a cationic polysaccharide derived from chitin. It is also described chemically as chitosan, 2-hydroxypropanoate salt. In cosmetic formulations, Chitosan Lactate is primarily used as a film-forming and hair-fixing ingredient. Cosmetic ingredient references list these two functions for CHITOSAN LACTATE.
Chitosan Lactate is formed by associating chitosan with lactic acid to produce a lactate salt. Chitosan is a partially deacetylated derivative of chitin and belongs to the polyaminosaccharide family.
The lactate form is useful because it provides a salt form of chitosan that can be incorporated into suitable cosmetic formulations.
The International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists describes Chitosan Lactate as one of the chitosan-based cationic polymers used in hair and skin products.
Film formation is one of the principal cosmetic functions of Chitosan Lactate. A film-forming ingredient can create a continuous polymeric layer on the surface of hair, skin or nails.
In hair-care products, this property can contribute to the feel, manageability and surface characteristics of the hair. Commercial cosmetic grades are marketed specifically for film-forming applications.
Chitosan Lactate is also used as a hair-fixing polymer. It can help provide durable shaping and styling characteristics in suitable hair formulations.
This makes it relevant to products such as styling lotions, mousses, pump sprays and other hair-styling systems. BASF's HYDAGEN HCMS-LA, for example, is described as a cationic film former and fixative polymer used in styling products and hair-conditioning lotions.
Chitosan Lactate is particularly relevant to hair-care formulations where film formation and styling support are required.
Potential applications include:
The IFSCC notes the use of chitosan-based polymers, including Chitosan Lactate, in hair and skin products such as shampoos, cream rinses, lotions and hair dressings.
Chitosan Lactate can also be evaluated in selected skin-care formulations where a cationic polymer and film-forming material are desired.
Potential applications include lotions, creams and other formulations requiring polymeric surface characteristics. Actual performance depends on the specific grade and formulation.
Chitosan is the parent polyaminosaccharide, while Chitosan Lactate is its lactate salt.
Standard Chitosan is commonly identified by CAS 9012-76-4, whereas Chitosan Lactate has separate CAS identifiers. The commonly reported cosmetic CAS is 66267-50-6.
Both are chitosan salt forms, but the acid component is different.
Chitosan Lactate contains the lactate component derived from lactic acid, while Chitosan PCA contains pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid.
Chitosan Lactate is primarily associated with film forming and hair fixing, while Chitosan PCA is recognized for film forming, humectant and skin-conditioning functions.
These are chemically different chitosan derivatives.
Chitosan Lactate is a lactate salt of chitosan, while Chitosan Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is a quaternized chitosan derivative. COSMILE Europe lists Chitosan Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride primarily as a hair-conditioning and humectant ingredient.
Chitosan is a cationic polymer under suitable acidic conditions because its amino groups can become protonated. Chitosan Lactate therefore belongs to the family of chitosan-based cationic polymer materials used in cosmetic formulations.
Cationic polymer behavior can be particularly relevant to hair-care applications because such polymers can interact with negatively charged hair surfaces.
Chitosan Lactate can contribute to the surface properties and manageability of hair through its polymeric film-forming behavior.
It can therefore be considered for formulations where a combination of styling support and polymeric hair deposition is desired.
Chitosan Lactate is suitable for evaluation in styling formulations such as mousses, styling lotions and pump sprays.
Commercial Chitosan Lactate-containing systems are specifically positioned for hair fixation and film formation.
Solubility and viscosity depend strongly on the chitosan grade, molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, lactate content, concentration and pH.
Chitosan-based polymers can undergo changes in molecular weight in aqueous systems over time. The IFSCC technical review notes slow degradation of chitosan polymers in aqueous solutions with a corresponding decrease in molecular weight.
For this reason, commercial formulation work should use the actual supplier TDS and recommended processing conditions.
Chitosan Lactate is polymeric, so it does not have one universal molecular weight applicable to every commercial grade.
Published research has reported a particular Chitosan Lactate sample with a molecular weight of approximately 43.506 kDa, degree of deacetylation of 90%, and viscosity of 109.08 cP. These values describe that specific research material and should not be presented as universal specifications for all Chitosan Lactate grades.
Degree of deacetylation is an important characteristic of chitosan-based materials. It affects properties such as charge density, solubility, viscosity and interaction with other formulation components.
The exact value is grade-dependent and should be taken from the manufacturer's specification.
Some commercial Chitosan Lactate grades are marketed as bio-based or naturally derived materials. The source of the chitosan can vary. For example, one commercial cosmetic grade is described as using chitosan isolated and purified from mushrooms.
Therefore, the actual source should be specified according to the commercial grade rather than assuming that every Chitosan Lactate product has the same biological origin.
Important parameters when selecting Chitosan Lactate include:
These parameters can vary substantially between grades.
For an SDP product page, numerical specifications should therefore be taken from the actual commercial TDS/COA rather than assigning generic values.
Chitosan Lactate can be evaluated in:
Chitosan Lactate is the lactate salt of chitosan, chemically described as chitosan, 2-hydroxypropanoate salt.
The commonly reported cosmetic CAS number is 66267-50-6. 146227-11-4 is also reported for Chitosan Lactate in chemical databases.
The INCI name is CHITOSAN LACTATE.
The recognized cosmetic functions are film forming and hair fixing.
Yes. Film forming is one of its recognized cosmetic functions.
Yes. It is recognized as a hair-fixing ingredient and is used in selected styling products.
No. Chitosan is the parent polymer, while Chitosan Lactate is the lactate salt of chitosan.
No. Chitosan Lactate contains lactate, whereas Chitosan PCA contains pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid. Their recognized cosmetic functions are also different.
There is no single universal molecular-weight value. One published research sample reported 43.506 kDa, but this should not be treated as a universal commercial specification.
It is grade-dependent. One published research sample reported 90%, but commercial grades can differ.
Viscosity depends on molecular weight, concentration, degree of deacetylation, pH and measurement conditions. A published research sample reported 109.08 cP, but this is not a universal specification.
It is primarily used in hair-care and styling formulations, including styling lotions, mousses, sprays, conditioners and hair treatments.
Yes. Chitosan-based cationic polymers are used in skin and hair products, and Chitosan Lactate can be evaluated in suitable skin-care formulations.
Chitosan is derived from chitin, but the source and manufacturing route of commercial Chitosan Lactate can vary. Some commercial grades use mushroom-derived chitosan.
Check appearance, identification, molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, viscosity, pH, moisture, ash, lactate content, solubility and microbiological parameters according to the intended grade.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |