Butyl Lactate
AKA “Butyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, 138-22-7, n-Butyl lactate, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, butyl ester, Lactic acid, 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid butyl ester, Butylester kyseliny mlecne, Butyl alpha-hydroxypropionate, FEMA No. 2205”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Butyl lactate
AKA: Butyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, 138-22-7, N-Butyl lactate, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, Butyl ester, Lactic acid, 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid butyl ester, Butylester kyseliny mlecne, Butyl alpha-hydroxypropionate, FEMA No. 2205
Ingredient · Solvent · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Solvent
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, butyl ester
Effective at 0.08%
Solubility Slight (NIOSH, 2024)
Formula
C7H14O3
Mol. Weight
146.18
CAS #
138-22-7
Form
Liquid
State
Butyl lactate appears as a clear colorless liquid with a mild odor. Flash point 168 °F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air. Used as a solvent, and to make other chem
See origin →
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Provides scent
Dissolves other ingredients
Traditional Use
Synthetic ester developed as a humectant and mild exfoliating agent in cosmetics. Designed to provide moisture retention and gentle surface renewal in skincare products.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dullness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Concentration Guide
0.06%
0.1%
0%0%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.06-0.07 (0.1c)
Regulatory Agencies
Nano, micro particulate and cosmetic delivery systems of polylactic acid: A mini review.
Abu Hajleh MN, Al-Samydai A, Al-Dujaili EAS
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2020
LDHA-Associated Lactic Acid Production Blunts Tumor Immunosurveillance by T and NK Cells.
Brand A, Singer K, Koehl GE, Kolitzus M, Schoenhammer G et al.
Cell metabolism, 2016
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Ethyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer and Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Glycolic Acid, Ammonium, Calcium, Potassium, and Sodium Glycolates, Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, and Butyl Glycolates, and Lactic Acid, Ammonium, Calcium, Potassium,
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report: Safety Assessment of Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Poly(3-Hydroxyoctanoic Acid, and Polylactic Acid as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Butyl Lactate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Lactic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polylactic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Lactic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Polylactic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Effectiveness and Safety of Sculptra Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injectable Implant in the Correction of Cheek Wrinkles.
Fabi S, Hamilton T, LaTowsky B, Kazin R, Marcus K et al.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 2024
Physiochemical Characteristics of Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA).
Fitzgerald R, Bass LM, Goldberg DJ, Graivier MH, Lorenc ZP
Aesthetic surgery journal, 2018
Recommendations on the Use of Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid for Skin Laxity in Off-Face Areas.
Haddad A, Menezes A, Guarnieri C, Coimbra D, Ribeiro E et al.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 2019
Lactic acid
Health Canada
Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Lavandula stoechas extract incorporated polylactic acid nanofibrous mats as an antibacterial and cytocompatible wound dressing.
Mutlu B, Çiftçi F, Üstündağ CB, Çakır-Koç R
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2023
Polylactic acid/tapioca starch/banana peel-based material for colorimetric and electrochemical biosensing applications.
Rai P, Mehrotra S, Gautam K, Kar AK, Saxena A et al.
Carbohydrate polymers, 2023
Efficacy and Safety of Poly-l-Lactic Acid in Facial Aesth...
Roberta Signori, Antony de Paula Barbosa, Fernando Cezar-Dos-Santos, Ana Claudia Carbone, Silvio Ventura, Bryanne Brissian de Souza Nobre + 4 more
Polymers, 2024
Efficacy and Safety of Poly-l-Lactic Acid in Facial Aesth...
Roberta Signori, Antony de Paula Barbosa, Fernando Cezar-Dos-Santos, Ana Claudia Carbone, Silvio Ventura, Bryanne Brissian de Souza Nobre + 4 more
Polymers, 2024
Efficacy and Safety of Poly-l-Lactic Acid in Facial Aesth...
Roberta Signori, Antony de Paula Barbosa, Fernando Cezar-Dos-Santos, Ana Claudia Carbone, Silvio Ventura, Bryanne Brissian de Souza Nobre + 4 more
Polymers, 2024
Advancements in chain elongation technology: Transforming lactic acid into caproic acid for sustainable biochemical production.
Suo M, Liu L, Fan H, Li N, Pan H et al.
Bioresource technology, 2025
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR