Menthyl Lactate

Menthyl Lactate

Menthyl Lactate

Menthyl Lactate is a mild, long-lasting cooling ester produced by the esterification of natural L-Menthol with L-Lactic Acid. Unlike free L-Menthol which delivers an intense but short-lived cooling burst, Menthyl Lactate undergoes gradual enzymatic hydrolysis on the skin to release menthol over 30-60 minutes, providing a smooth and sustained cooling sensation. It is widely used in premium skincare, cosmetics, oral care, and pharmaceutical formulations where prolonged cooling without irritation is desired. FEMA GRAS (no. 3748) and IFRA approved.

Product Specifications

CAS Number59259-38-0
GradeNatural / Synthetic Grade
Purity / Assay98%+
AppearanceClear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
OdorMild, minty, slightly fruity with a subtle cooling sensation
SolubilitySoluble in ethanol and oils; insoluble in water
Packaging25kg HDPE drums, 180kg GI drums
Country of OriginIndia
HS Code29181300

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Industries Served & Applications

Pharmaceuticals
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Flavor & Fragrance
Oral Care
Common Applications
  • Personal Care: Facial serums, moisturisers, sunscreens, after-shave balms, foot creams, anti-itch formulations
  • Cosmetics: Lip balms, eye gels, foundation primers, setting sprays, BB creams
  • Pharmaceuticals: Topical analgesic gels, muscle relief creams, anti-inflammatory patches, haemorrhoidal preparations
  • Oral Care: Toothpaste (sensitive teeth), mouthwash, gum formulations requiring sustained cooling
  • Sports & Wellness: Post-workout recovery gels, cooling sprays, massage oils, cryotherapy alternatives
  • Flavour: Long-lasting cooling effect for chewing gum, confectionery, and beverages where intense initial cooling is undesirable

Product Benefits

  • Sustained Cooling Sensation
    Ester hydrolysis releases menthol gradually over 30-60 minutes, providing prolonged cooling without the sharp initial burst of free menthol
  • Reduced Irritation Potential
    Lower volatility and slower metabolism mean menthyl lactate is better tolerated on sensitive skin — ideal for facial and paediatric applications
  • Excellent Formulation Compatibility
    Soluble in most cosmetic oils, esters, and emulsifier systems. Compatible with aqueous gels, O/W emulsions, and anhydrous bases
  • Non-Volatile at Skin Temperature
    Remains stable in open formulations — no evaporative loss during storage or application — ensures consistent cooling throughout product life
  • Masking Capability
    Effectively masks bitter or unpleasant tastes in oral formulations while contributing a clean, mild minty note
  • Regulatory Clearance
    FEMA GRAS (no. 3748) and IFRA-approved for flavour and fragrance use. Widely accepted in global cosmetic and pharmaceutical regulations

Manufacturing Process

1
Raw Material Charging

High-purity L-Menthol (99%+) and Lactic Acid (88% food grade) are charged to a glass-lined reactor in stoichiometric ratio, with a slight excess of lactic acid to drive the reaction

2
Esterification Reaction

The mixture is heated to 100-120°C under reduced pressure (200-400 mbar) with continuous removal of water of reaction. A Dean-Stark trap collects the condensate

3
Catalysis & Completion

A food-grade acid catalyst (typically Amberlyst 15 ion-exchange resin) may be used to accelerate the reaction. Progress is monitored by measuring acid value and GC conversion

4
Catalyst Removal

If heterogeneous catalyst was used, the resin is filtered out. For homogeneous catalysis, the mixture is neutralised and washed with deionised water

5
Vacuum Distillation

The crude ester is distilled under high vacuum (<1 mbar) at 120-140°C to remove unreacted menthol and lactic acid. The pure menthyl lactate fraction is collected

6
Polishing

The distilled product is treated with activated carbon for colour adjustment if needed, then passed through a 0.2 μm membrane filter

7
Quality Control

Each batch is tested for purity (GC, 97%+), ester value, acid value, optical rotation, refractive index, heavy metals, and microbiological limits

8
Packaging

Filled into aluminium bottles (1-25 kg), HDPE drums (25-200 kg), or stainless-steel IBCs under nitrogen blanket. Tamper-evident seals and batch documentation provided

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Why Choose Zentish Exim for Menthyl Lactate

Sustained Cooling Technology

Our menthyl lactate delivers a smooth, lingering cool sensation that lasts 30-60 minutes — ideal for premium skincare and wellness products

Fully Customisable Grade

We offer multiple purity grades (95% to 99%), custom cooling intensity levels, and tailored residual menthol content for your specific application

Sensitive Skin Safe

Specially refined grade reduces the stinging and irritation risk associated with free menthol — validated through in-house patch testing

GMP Certified Production

Manufactured in ISO 9001 / GMP certified facilities with full batch traceability and comprehensive quality documentation

Global Supply Ready

Stock held in multiple regional warehouses for rapid delivery. Full regulatory dossiers available for global cosmetic and pharma registration

Frequently Asked Questions

Menthyl Lactate is the ester of L-Menthol and Lactic Acid. Unlike free L-Menthol which provides immediate intense cooling, Menthyl Lactate undergoes gradual enzymatic hydrolysis on the skin to release menthol slowly — delivering a sustained cooling sensation over 30-60 minutes without the sharp initial burst. It is significantly less volatile than menthol and causes less irritation on sensitive skin.

In leave-on cosmetic formulations, typical usage is 0.5-3.0%. In rinse-off products (shampoos, body washes), 0.2-1.0%. In oral care, 0.1-0.5%. In flavour applications, 10-50 ppm. We recommend starting at the lower end of the range and adjusting based on the desired cooling intensity.

Our standard menthyl lactate is made from natural L-Menthol (derived from Mentha arvensis) and L-Lactic Acid (produced by fermentation). The resulting ester is classified as natural according to EU and FDA natural flavour guidelines. We also offer a synthetic grade for cost-sensitive applications.

Shelf life is 24 months when stored in sealed containers below 30°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture. The product may crystallise at low temperatures — gentle warming to 30-40°C with mixing will restore its liquid form without affecting quality.

Yes. Menthyl Lactate is FEMA GRAS (no. 3748) and approved for use in flavour applications. It is commonly used in chewing gum, confectionery, and beverages where a long-lasting cooling effect is desired. It is also approved for use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications under global regulatory frameworks.

Yes. We can customise the residual free menthol content from less than 0.5% to up to 5% depending on your requirements. Lower residual menthol provides a smoother onset of cooling; higher residual menthol provides an initial cooling burst followed by sustained release.
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