Ammonium lactate explained

Ammonium lactate is a compound with formula NH₄(C₂H₄(OH)COO). It is the ammonium salt of lactic acid. It has mild anti-bacterial properties.

It has E number "E328" and is the active ingredient of the skin lotions Amlactin and Lac-Hydrin.^[1]

Ammonium lactate is the chemical combination of lactic acid and ammonium hydroxide. It is used as a skin moisturizer lotion to treat dry, scaly, itchy skin. Those who are using it should avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays, such as sunlamps or tanning beds. Ammonium lactate makes skin more sensitive to sunlight, and skin is more likely to sunburn.^[2]

Ammonium lactate is sold as an over-the-counter medication Amlactin brand used for treating xerosis.^{[3] [4]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: DailyMed: View Drug Label: Lac-Hydrin (ammonium lactate) Lotion. Lac-Hydrin specially formulates 12% lactic acid, neutralized with ammonium hydroxide, as ammonium lactate to provide a lotion pH of 4.4-5.5. ... Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid. It is a normal constituent of tissues and blood. The alpha-hydroxy acids (and their salts) may act as humectants when applied to the skin..
2. Web site: Ammonium lactate topical | Health Encyclopedia | Norris Cotton Cancer Center . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906043748/http://www.cancer.dartmouth.edu/pf/health_encyclopedia/d04049a1 . 2015-09-06 .
3. Web site: Why Lactic Acid? . Advantice Health, LLC . July 27, 2023.
4. 33178384 . 2020 . Draelos . Z. D. . Hall . S. . Munsick . C. . A 14-day Controlled Study Assessing Qualitative Improvement with 15% Lactic Acid and Ceramides in Skin Moisturization and Desquamation . The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology . 13 . 8 . E54–E58 . 7595367 .