Methyl Lactate
AKA “547-64-8, Methyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, DL-Methyl lactate, Lactic acid, methyl ester, Methyl 2-hydroxypropionate, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (+-)-Methyl lactate, Methyl alpha-hydroxypropionate, 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid methyl ester”
Ingredient
Ingredient Facts
Methyl lactate
AKA: 547-64-8, Methyl 2-hydroxypropanoate, DL-Methyl lactate, Lactic acid, Methyl ester, Methyl 2-hydroxypropionate, Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, (+-)-Methyl lactate, Methyl alpha-hydroxypropionate, 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid methyl ester
Ingredient · Flavouring · EWG: 5
Synthetic
Fragrance
Solvent
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
2-Hydroxy-propanoic acid methyl ester, (S)- / 2-hydroxy-propanoic acid methyl ester
Effective at 47.51%
Solubility Miscible in water with decomposition
Formula
C4H8O3
Mol. Weight
104.10
CAS #
27871-49-4, 547-64-8
Form
Liquid
State
Colorless liquid; [Hawley]
See origin →
Functions
Flavouring
Perfuming
Added for scent. Can be natural or synthetic. Common irritant and allergen — one of the top reasons people react to products.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Adds Flavor
Adds Fragrance
Dissolves Ingredients
Anti-Aging Benefits
Antioxidant Protection
Reduces Inflammation
Adds pleasant taste
Adds pleasant scent
Dissolves other ingredients
Traditional Use
An ester of lactic acid, developed in the late 20th century as a gentle exfoliating agent. Created as a milder alternative to pure lactic acid for sensitive skin formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Uneven Texture
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
5
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Phototoxicity Concern
Concentration Guide
0.015%
95.0%
0%100%
Effective Range
CIR reported use: 0.015-10.2 | 0.5-9b | 0.15-95
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
RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, pentanedioic acid, 1,5-dimethyl ester, CAS Registry Number 1119-40-0.
Api AM, Belsito D, Botelho D, Browne D, Bruze M et al.
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2018
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 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
Lactic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Methyl Lactate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Polylactic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Lactic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Methyl Lactate
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
Synthesis of mixed esters of ascorbic acid using methyl esters of palm and soybean oils.
Hsieh HJ, Chen JW, Giridhar R, Wu WT
Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology, 2005
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