Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate (SSL): a natural emulsifier for light, elegant lotions
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SSL is a bit of a favourite among natural formulators, and once you've felt a lotion made with it you'll see why — it has the most elegant, light, quickly-absorbed finish.
What it does
It's a naturally-derived emulsifier (made from stearic acid and lactic acid) that binds oil and water into an oil-in-water lotion. It gives a lighter, less 'draggy' feel than some emulsifiers, so it's lovely for facial lotions and everyday body milks where you want fast absorption.
How to use it
- Around 1 to 3% of a lotion
- Add it to your heated oil phase
- It loves company — pairing it with a fatty alcohol (cetearyl or cetyl) helps thicken and stabilise the finished lotion
As with every water-based product: a proper preservative is essential to keep it safe to use.
Shop Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate (SSL).
Steph x