- beauty
- cleaning
- food
- industrial
Lactic acid, dl-
CAS 849585-22-4 · 60/100 · High conf.
Also registered as 5 other CAS numbers
31587-11-8 · 152-36-3 · 598-82-3 · 1334714-39-4 · 50-21-5
Concern score
60/100High concern based on regulatory listings.
High confidence
Lactic acid, dl- in plain language
On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “Lactic acid”.
Also known as Lactic acid · DL- Lactic acid · Dl-lactic acid · 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid · Lactic acid (+-) · Ordinary lactic acid
Show all 38 names
Racemic lactic acid · Tonsillosan · (+/-)-2-HYDROXYPROPANOIC acid · (+/-)-Lactic acid · (RS)-2-Hydroxypropionsaeure · (±)-2-HYDROXYPROPANOIC acid · (±)-lactic acid · .alpha.-hydroxypropanoic acid · .alpha.-hydroxypropionic acid · 2-Hydroxy-2-methylacetic acid · 2-hydroxypropionic acid · Aethylidenmilchsaeure · E 270 · Ethylidenelactic acid · Hipure 88 · Ins NO.270 · INS-270 · Kyselina mlecna · Lurex · Lactic acid USP · Lactovagan · Milk acid · Milchsaeure · Purac fcc 80 · Purac fcc 88 · Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy- · Propanoic acid,2-hydroxy-,(+/-)- · acide lactique · α-Hydroxypropanoic acid · α-Hydroxypropionic acid · Lacticum acidum · acidum lacticum
Used in cosmetics as a humectant, a skin-conditioning agent and a pH buffer.
- Humectant
- Skin conditioning
- Buffering
- Flavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator
- Antioxidant
- Preservative
- High concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.
Why it's flagged
EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 2472 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Personal care, Food and drug.
The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.
Regulation
No restrictions found. Lactic acid, dl- appears in these published regulatory listings.
- In marketed US drugs
- Inactive ingredient in US drugs
- Found in consumer products
- Beauty
- Cleaning
- Pharma
- Food
- Industrial
USFDAinactive ingredient database16 entries — 6 administration routes
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL; Potency: 3.65 %w/wSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 7.4 %w/wSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 0.5 %w/wSource →
- Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: JELLY; Potency: 3.1 %w/wSource →
- Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: SUPPOSITORY; Potency: NASource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Potency: 0.45 %w/wSource →
- Route: SUBCUTANEOUS; Dosage form: PELLET, IMPLANTABLE; Potency: NASource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 106 mgSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: LIQUID; Potency: 10 mg/5mlSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Maximum daily exposure: 127 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 3 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAVENOUS; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: 5.64 %w/vSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION, SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 3 mgSource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: INJECTION; Potency: ADJ PHSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: AEROSOL, FOAM; Maximum daily exposure: 27 mgSource →
EUEFSAEFSA opinion8 entries
- Flavouring Group Evaluation 64 (FGE.64): Consideration of aliphatic acyclic diols, triols, and related substances evaluated by JECFA (57th meeting) structurally related to aliphatic primary and secondary saturated and unsaturated alcohols, aldehydes, acetals, carboxylic acids and esters containing an additional oxygenated functional group and lactones from chemical groups 9, 13 and 30 evaluated by EFSA in FGE.10Rev1 (EFSA, 2008ab). Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) (EFSA AFC)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 96 (FGE.96): Consideration of 88 flavouring substances considered by EFSA for which EU production volumes / anticipated production volumes have been submitted on request by DG SANCO. Addendum to FGE. 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 61, 62, 63, 64, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 76, 77, 79, 80, 83, 84, 85 and 87 (EFSA CEF)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of primary aliphatic saturated or unsaturated alcohols/aldehydes/acids/acetals/esters with a second primary, secondary or tertiary oxygenated functional group including aliphatic lactones (chemical group 9) when used as flavourings for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (E 481) and calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate (E 482) as food additives (EFSA ANS)Source →
- Safety and efficacy of lactic acid and calcium lactate when used as technological additives for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the organic acids lactic and acetic acids to reduce microbiological surface contamination on pork carcasses and pork cuts (EFSA CEP)Source →
- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of lactic acid to reduce microbiological surface contamination on carcases from kangaroos, wild pigs, goats and sheep (EFSA CEP)Source →
- Safety of lactic acid and calcium lactate when used as technological additives for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
EUCosIngActiveListed in CosIng inventory for cosmetic use.
- Listed in CosIng inventory for cosmetic use.Source →
EUEFSAEFSA statementStatement of the Scientific Panel of Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food on a request from the European Commission concerning the use of lactic acid and sodium lactate and sodium lactate for poultry carcass decontamination (EFSA AFC)
- Statement of the Scientific Panel of Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food on a request from the European Commission concerning the use of lactic acid and sodium lactate and sodium lactate for poultry carcass decontamination (EFSA AFC)Source →
GLOBALJECFANOT LIMITED (1973)JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT LIMITED (1973). Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator.
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT LIMITED (1973). Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 2472 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Personal care, Food and drug. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including pH regulating agent, Humectant, Softener and conditioner.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 2472 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Personal care, Food and drug. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including pH regulating agent, Humectant, Softener and conditioner.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 52 active drug products and 60 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 52 active drug products and 60 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →
Expert safety opinions
Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.
SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
Statement of the Scientific Panel of Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food on a request from the European Commission concerning the use of lactic acid and sodium lactate and sodium lactate for poultry carcass decontamination (EFSA AFC)
2006 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Flavouring Group Evaluation 64 (FGE.64): Consideration of aliphatic acyclic diols, triols, and related substances evaluated by JECFA (57th meeting) structurally related to aliphatic primary and secondary saturated and unsaturated alcohols, aldehydes, acetals, carboxylic acids and esters containing an additional oxygenated functional group and lactones from chemical groups 9, 13 and 30 evaluated by EFSA in FGE.10Rev1 (EFSA, 2008ab). Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) (EFSA AFC)
2009 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 96 (FGE.96): Consideration of 88 flavouring substances considered by EFSA for which EU production volumes / anticipated production volumes have been submitted on request by DG SANCO. Addendum to FGE. 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 61, 62, 63, 64, 68, 69, 70, 71, 73, 76, 77, 79, 80, 83, 84, 85 and 87 (EFSA CEF)
2011 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of primary aliphatic saturated or unsaturated alcohols/aldehydes/acids/acetals/esters with a second primary, secondary or tertiary oxygenated functional group including aliphatic lactones (chemical group 9) when used as flavourings for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
2012 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (E 481) and calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate (E 482) as food additives (EFSA ANS)
2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Safety and efficacy of lactic acid and calcium lactate when used as technological additives for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
2015 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the organic acids lactic and acetic acids to reduce microbiological surface contamination on pork carcasses and pork cuts (EFSA CEP)
2018 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of lactic acid to reduce microbiological surface contamination on carcases from kangaroos, wild pigs, goats and sheep (EFSA CEP)
2022 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Safety of lactic acid and calcium lactate when used as technological additives for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
2019 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT LIMITED (1973). Functional class: flavouring agent, acid, acidity regulator.
Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
Evidence & sources
No graded research studies for Lactic acid, dl- yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.
Where this comes from
- Open →
CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
- Open →
EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
- Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated october 7, 2011
- Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
- Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
- Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2029-08-02
- Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
- Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
- Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
- Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Reference links (1)
Allergen profile
Canonical allergen markers detected on this ingredient. Each row is derived from the ingredient’s name or synonyms matching a known allergen class — useful when scanning a label for a specific allergy context.
- DairyContains · Oral (ingested)
Source: chemindex_name_match
Suitability
Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.
Food use
Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.
The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.
Fragrance avoidance
Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.
The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.
Where it has been recorded
How often EPA CPDat has listed Lactic acid, dl- in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.
Source records
2,472
Named organisations
6
Laboratory suppliesPersonal careFood and drugSpecialty occupational productsCleaning products and household carePet and animal care
Typical roles
HumectantSkin conditioningBufferingFlavouring agent, acid, acidity regulatorAntioxidantPreservative
Found in these products
Their ingredient lists include Lactic acid, dl-; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.
- Bioderma sensibio gel moussant 200ml
- facial cleanDeliplus · Non Food Products
- crema solar facialDeliplus
- Cloud foamClean beauty by alvira · Non Food Products
- Sébium gel mousseBioderma · Hygiene
- Sanex men 0% deodorantSanex · Open Beauty Facts
- Vaisselle mainsJacques Briochin
- Shampooing crème nutrition miel de provence et karité bioLe Petit Marseillais · Hair
- Déo-soin 24hLéa Nature · Open Beauty Facts
- amalfi dentOpen Beauty Facts
- Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing BodylotionUnilever, Vaseline · Bodylotion
- Shampooing crème nutrition miel de Provence et karité bioLe Petit Marseillais · Hair
- Booster your barrierBioma
- Gel de higiene íntimaDeliplus · Open Beauty Facts
- Repair & nutritionDeliplus, Mercadona
- Sanex Natur protectSanex · Hygiene
- Chargement…
- Précieux Argan Eau micellaire anti-âgeLéa Nature, So Bio Etic · Face
- plant butterearth balance · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- MargarineBecel · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Hydra Aloé VeraSo Bio Etic · Body
- OrdinaryThe Ordinary · Cosmetic Products
- Gel duchaHeno de Pravia
- Tónico árbol de téDeliplus
Often appears with
Ingredients that frequently appear alongside Lactic acid, dl- in the catalog.