Lactic acid and menthol combine to form menthol lactate. In cosmetics, this ingredient serves as a fragrance or cooling agent. It is typically produced in two different forms, one as a crystalline white powder and the other as a fused substance, both of which have a faint mint flavor. Menthyl lactate vs menthol: There is no substantiated, published research to back up the claim that this menthol derivative is less sensitizing than menthol. It is a gentler variation of menthol.
What is MENTHYL LACTATE used for?
Menthyl lactate is an active cooling agent that gives the skin a pleasant, intense, and prolonged feeling of freshness on the skin. In cosmetics and personal care products, it serves as a masking and refreshing ingredient. Menthyl lactate can be used to cover up the original fragrance when there are numerous ingredients in a preparation with varying fragrances that could result in an odd-smelling finished product. Additionally, it has a cooling effect that is beneficial in powders, toothpaste, chewing gum, and other oral care products.
Origin
Menthol and lactic acid react to produce a mixture comprising menthyl lactate and one or more higher lactoyl esters of menthyl lactate. Hydrolysis of the esterification mixture follows in the presence of an aqueous base under conditions effective to convert the higher lactoyl esters to menthyl lactate.
Safety profile
Menthyl lactate has a score of 1 on the Environmental Working Group (EWG’s) skin-deep scale, indicating a low potential for cancer, allergies, immunotoxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and use restrictions. The material (l-menthyl lactate) was evaluated for genotoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity, local respiratory toxicity, phototoxicity/photoallergenicity, skin sensitization, as well as environmental safety. The data showed that l-menthyl lactate is not genotoxic nor does it have skin sensitization potential. l-menthyl lactate was found not to be a - PBT (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic) as per the IFRA (The International Fragrance Association) Environmental Standards, and its risk quotients. The Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety concludes that this material is safe based on the RIFM (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials) Criteria Document.