Sodium Lactate is a liquid salt that is naturally derived from the natural fermentation of sugars found in corn and beets. In cosmetics, Sodium Lactate may be used as a preservative, acting as an inhibitor of bacterial growth.

Because Sodium Lactate is a salt, it is a natural humectant, providing moisture. This makes it a great additive to lotions, typically replacing glycerine in the recipe.

Sodium lactate is also used to make soaps more stable and hold their shape better. The addition of 1-2 tablespoons of sodium lactate to 1 kg of soap batter will make the soap slide out of the moulds more easily without damaging the soap bars.

The addition of sodium lactate to soap gives you a greater lather.

Make an ocean-themed soap:

This soap smells and looks like the sea! Amounts are for a 1kg batch of soap.

• Add 15ml of lime essential oil and 5ml of lavender essential oil to your batch of soap after it has reached a light trace. Mix well to distribute the scent evenly.
• Separate the soap batter into two bowls.
• Mix 2 teaspoons of spirulina powder into half of the batter.
• Mix 1/4 cup of sea salt and 2 teaspoons of electric blue mica into the other half.
• Layer or swirl the two halves into a loaf mould.
• Unmould and cut once the soap has set and becomes easy to remove from the mould.