Ingredient Dictionary

ETHYL LACTATE

Ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate is the ethyl ester obtained of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid.

Definition

Ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate is the ethyl ester obtained of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. It has a role as a metabolite. It is an ethyl ester, a secondary alcohol and a lactate ester. It is functionally related to a 2-hydroxypropanoic acid.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII F3P750VW8I · registered name Ethyl lactate · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Base that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENTGives the product a scentPERFUMING

Safety & regulatory references

Taiwan

Maximum concentration : pH≧3.5;
pH≥3.5;

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: 40th Anniversary Overview and Rereview Summaries From 2011 to 2015

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: 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, Sodium, and TEA-Lactates, Methyl, Ethyl, Isopropyl, and Butyl Lactates, and Lauryl, Myristyl, and Cetyl Lactates

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name 乳酸エチル: 本品は、乳酸（＊）とエタノール（＊）とのエステルであり、次の化学式で表される。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

ETHYL LACTATEINCI에틸락테이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, ethyl esterSynonym乳酸エチルJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 97-64-3
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 202-598-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID6029127
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID509127

IUPAC: Ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate
Molecular formula: C5H10O3
Molecular weight: 118.132 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Ethyl lactate appears as a clear colorless liquid with a mild odor. Flash point 115 °F. Denser than water and soluble in water. Vapors heavier than air. · CBI, Liquid
Odour: Buttery odor · Fruity butterscotch
Boiling point: 309 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999) · 154 °C
Melting point: -26 °C · -26.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Miscible with water · Miscible with alcohol, ketones, esters, hydrocarbons, oil
Density: 1.03 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.0328 g.cu cm at 20 °C
Colour: colourless
Odour threshold: 14 ppm
Melting/freezing point: -25 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 154 ℃
Flash point: 46.1 ℃
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 14.1 / 1.5 %
Vapour pressure: 3.75 ㎜Hg (at 25℃)
Water solubility: 1000000 ㎎/ℓ (at 20℃)
Vapour density: 4.07
Relative density: 1.0328 (at 20℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -0.18
Auto-ignition temperature: 400 ℃
Molecular weight: 118.13

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 32 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Solvent11
Fragrance8
Flavouring and nutrient5
Pharmaceutical (EPA)3
Surfactant (surface active agent)2
Cleaning agent1
Processing aids not otherwise specified1
Diluent1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

3 skin studies and 4 eye studies are on record.

Classed as moderate1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 7 studies

Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Classification not possible
Skin Irritation · Screening
Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 2
Eye Irritation · Screening
Eye Dam. 1
Eye Irritation · Authoritative
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across