Natural / Synthetic Grade Menthyl Lactate
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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 Lact...

CAS Number: 59259-38-0 Purity / Assay: 98%+ Grade: Natural / Synthetic Grade Country of Origin: India
MOQSamples from 1 kg
Lead TimeConfirmed with your quotation based on product, quantity and destination
IncotermsEXW, FOB, CIF
Technical Data

Product Specifications

Batch-specific specification verified through COA and GC analysis before shipment.

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 Code29181100
Overview

About 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.
Ship-Ready

Export Packaging Options

Palletized for export and compatible with both air and sea shipment.

1 kg
Qualification sample
5 kg
R&D / pilot production
25 kg
Small commercial order
180 kg / IBC
Bulk industrial supply

All packaging is palletized for export and compatible with air and sea shipment.

Why Zentish

Why International Buyers Choose Zentish Exim

Batch-wise Quality

COA, GC-MS and enantiomeric purity verification on every batch.

Multi-source Supply

Aggregated supply from approved partners ensures continuity across harvest cycles.

Flexible MOQs

From 10 kg samples to container-scale contracts.

Consolidated Shipping

Combine multiple mint derivatives in single-container loads.

Full Documentation

COA, MSDS, COO, allergen & non-GMO statements, and packing list.

Fast Turnaround

Responsive quotations within one business day.

Consolidate multiple mint derivatives in single-container loads for optimized logistics and competitive bulk pricing.

Sector Fit

Industries Served & Applications

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
Value Add

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
From Sourcing to Shipment

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 ??m 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

Why Zentish

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

Request a Quote for Menthyl Lactate

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Knowledge

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.
Technical Content Review

Technical content reviewed by the Zentish Exim export team. This page is intended for B2B buyers of essential oils, flavor ingredients, and aroma chemicals. Product specifications are batch-specific and confirmed through COA and GC analysis before shipment.

Learn more about our quality systems and export operations on our About Us and SHE Policy pages.

Looking for Customized Packaging?

We offer flexible packaging and documentation for global export.

Contact Our Export Team
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