Methyl Lactic Acid
INCI: NOT A STANDARD STANDALONE INCI ENTRY IN COSING - MAY BE REFERENCED AS 2-METHYL LACTIC ACID OR UNDER ITS CHEMICAL NAME; VERIFY AGAINST CURRENT COSING DATABASE FOR YOUR SPECIFIC REGULATORY SUBMISSION
Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Expert Verdict
Potential for skin irritation at higher concentrations (common to hydroxy acids); photosensitivity enhancement possible; limited specific cosmetic safety data compared to glycolic or lactic acid. Alpha-branched hydroxy acid; the additional methyl group compared to lactic acid may reduce penetration rate and alter exfoliation kinetics. ⚠ Data gap: Dedicated cosmetic safety assessments for this specific compound are sparse - if formulating with it, I'd recommend requesting SCCS-style safety dat...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methyl Lactic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Potential for skin irritation at higher concentrations (common to hydroxy acids); photosensitivity enhancement possible; limited specific cosmetic safety data compared to glycolic or lactic acid. Alpha-branched hydroxy acid; the additional methyl group compared to lactic acid may reduce penetration rate and alter exfoliation kinetics. ⚠ Data gap: Dedicated cosmetic safety assessments for this specific compound are sparse - if formulating with it, I'd recommend requesting SCCS-style safety dat... The EU classifies Methyl Lactic Acid as "permitted". Safety rating: MODERATE.
Is Methyl Lactic Acid allowed in the EU?
Methyl Lactic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Methyl Lactic Acid do in cosmetics?
Methyl Lactic Acid functions as: pH adjuster, potential AHA-like exfoliant (structurally analogous to lactic acid with an additional methyl group). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 594-61-6 (2-methyl lactic acid / 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid / alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid).
What is the Margin of Safety for Methyl Lactic Acid?
not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.
Compliance Tools
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Related Ingredients
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