LACTIQUAT®
Water soluble cationic ingredient from upcycled raw materials
Water soluble cationic ingredient from upcycled raw materials
INCI
Polyglyceryl-3 Betainate Lactate
LACTIQUAT® is a 100% plant-derived copolymer with a high cationic charge, derived from betaine and supported by lactic acid, forming a stronger bond with the skin. This formulation can replace synthetic conditioning agents like ammonium chloride and polyquaternium derivatives, improving compatibility and transparency in anionic surfactant systems.
It offers moisturization, smoothness, flexibility, and specific antimicrobial activity, acting as a preservative booster and preventing body odor. Suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on skincare products,
LACTIQUAT® is non-irritating and exhibits maximum cationic charge at pH 4.5-6.5, becoming non-ionic at neutral pH and anionic in alkaline conditions.
Betaine, a non-toxic molecule from sugar beet, enhances surfactant compatibility, retains moisture, and improves sensory characteristics. Lactic acid, a milder AHA from sugar beet, exfoliates, improves skin texture, stimulates collagen, promotes a healthy microbiome, and prevents odor.
SMOOTHING PROPERTIES
LACTIQUAT® blends the hydrating properties of betaine with the gentle exfoliating and skin flexibilty-enhancing effects of lactic acid, resulting in a visible smoothing effect.
ANTI ODOR EFFICACY
LACTIQUAT® combines the antimicrobial properties of quaternized betaine and lactic acid, effectively serving as a barrier against pathogenic infections, including odor-causing bacteria.
With aging, the cutaneous microrelief, defined as skin irregularities, increases causing a visible roughness and inhomogeneity. LACTIQUAT®, with the synergistic action of betiane and lactic acid, can decrease skin microrelief thus leading to a significant smoothing effect.
To prove that, 4% LACTIQUAT® emulsion* has been tested against a Placebo** on 20 volunteers, aged from 40 to 65, using the “half-face method” (subjects apply each formulation to a different side of the face). Skin moisturization (using CORNEOMETER) and skin profilometry (using PrimosCR SF) have been quantitatively evaluated to assess skin surface properties (hydration, wrinkle depth, volume, roughness, etc).
*LACTIQUAT® face cream: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lactiquat (Polygyceryl-3 Betainate Lactate), Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether (and) Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil (and) Malic Acid, Propanediol, Bentonite, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum.
**Placebo face cream: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether (and) Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil (and) Malic Acid, Propanediol, Bentonite, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum.
Skin profilometry has been quantitatively assessed by PrimosCR SF (Canfield Scientific Europe), a non-contact in vivo skin measurement device based on structured light projection. With a comprehensive 3-D measurement and specific software, it calculates the profile valley depth through the evaluation of Rv (maximum profile valley depth) and Rp (maximum peak profile height) parameters.
The application of a cream containing 4% LACTIQUAT® over 28 days demonstrates a clear progressive reduction in wrinkle depth around the eye area. Initially, the images depict significant wrinkle extent. By day 14, there is a noticeable decrease, and by day 28, the reduction is substantial.
LACTIQUAT® not only moisturizes and improves skin texture but also provides a clear smoothing effect, visibly reducing wrinkles and roughness. This treatment gives the skin a renewed youthful appearance with consistent use over time.
Compared to the Placebo, enrolled subjects found the LACTIQUAT® face cream overall superior, in particular in reducing wrinkles and fine lines as well as in improving skin elasticity and roughness.
They also found LACTIQUAT® emulsion pleasant and non-irritating.
It demonstrates bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hominis, key cutaneous strains linked to body odor through sweat conversion into volatile organic compounds.
The efficacy of LACTIQUAT® in preventing body odor development was assessed using an Olfactory Sensory Analysis (Sniff test) conducted by 3 expert evaluators on volunteers at 4, 8, and 24 hours post-shower.
The test compared a bodywash containing LACTIQUAT®* against a Placebo**. According to the Likert scale (1 indicating no bad smell to 5 indicating a very intense bad smell), LACTIQUAT® bodywash showed statistically significant deodorant effectiveness at 4, 8, and 24 hours after use, demonstrating a lower intensity of bad odor compared to the Placebo at all tested times.
Volunteers found the LACTIQUAT® bodywash not only effective in preventing bad odor but also easy to use, suitable for daily care, enjoyable, and importantly, non-irritating.
*LACTIQUAT® body wash: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, LACTIQUAT® (Polyglyceryl-3 Betainate Lactate), Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid.
**Placebo body wash: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid.
Viscosimeter Anton Paar VISCOQC 300, spindle RH3,
T=20°C, speed 30 rpm, 1 min.
2% – 5%
Skincare: conditioning creams.
Personal care: detergents, body washes.
APPEARANCE | CLEAR OILY LIQUID |
COLOUR | LIGHT YELLOW TO AMBER |
ODOUR | CHARACTERISTIC |
DRY RESIDUE (105°C) | 75 – 85% |
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (25°C) | 1.1 – 1.2 |
PH (5% WATER SOLUTION AT 25°C) | 6.5 – 8.5 |
Moisturization: 4% LACTIQUAT® face cream boosts hydration by up to 70% at T1h and maintains long-term effects up to 50% at T28d, outperforming placebo.
Smoothness: PrimosCR SF measurements show a 35% reduction in skin roughness, with visible improvements in texture and wrinkle reduction over 28 days.
Flexibility: Enhances skin elasticity and suppleness, with users reporting reduced wrinkles and fine lines, and improved skin roughness.
Antimicrobial Activity: Acts as a preservative booster, effectively reducing odor-causing bacteria and minimizing bad odor intensity.
Compatibility: Suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on products, enhancing formulation viscosity and reducing the need for NaCl as a thickening agent.