Cited skincare — every flag names its source, no upsell.
So

Sodium Lactate

Sodium LactateHydrator

The salt form of lactic acid — it hydrates instead of exfoliating, and it’s part of skin’s own moisture system.

What it does

It’s the salt form of lactic acid. Unlike lactic acid, it isn’t acidic enough to exfoliate at usual amounts; it pulls water into skin and steadies pH. It’s part of skin’s own natural moisturizing factor, so it works the way skin already holds water.

The EU’s ingredient database lists it as a humectant (helps hold in moisture) and a pH adjuster (sets how acidic the product is).European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗

The evidence, graded

strongOne application of a ceramide cream lowered water loss through the skin, measured from two hours and held to 24 hours, and raised skin hydration over the same day. Hyaluronic acid creams improved skin hydration and elasticity when measured at 30 and 60 days. Neither source Drop has read measured how long barrier repair takes, so Drop sets no barrier-repair window.Pavicic 2011 · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology ↗

Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.

Pairs worth knowing

Sodium PCA · works together ↗Glycerin · works together ↗Hyaluronic Acid · works together ↗Ceramides · works together ↗

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