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C12-15 Alkyl Lactate

What C12-15 Alkyl Lactate is & what it does

An emollient ester that softens skin and gives a light, smooth feel while aiding the spread of other ingredients. It contributes a refined, non-greasy finish.

What does C12-15 Alkyl Lactate do in skincare?

C12-15 Alkyl Lactate is an ester of lactic acid with fatty alcohols, used mainly as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent. It helps soften the skin and gives products a light, smooth slip. It can also serve as a carrier that improves the spreadability of a formula.

Is C12-15 Alkyl Lactate comedogenic?

C12-15 Alkyl Lactate is a lightweight ester emollient and is not widely flagged as a high-risk pore-clogging ingredient, though published comedogenicity ratings vary by source. How any emollient behaves can depend on the overall formula and individual skin. People prone to congestion may prefer to patch test.

Is C12-15 Alkyl Lactate natural or synthetic?

It is typically synthesized by reacting lactic acid with C12-15 fatty alcohols, so it is best described as a processed or synthetic ester, even though its building blocks can come from natural feedstocks.

Sunscreens with C12-15 Alkyl Lactate

We rate 6 sunscreens that contain it:

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