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PALM ACID.

Essential CAS 68440-15-3 / CLEANSING, SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Palm Acid, primarily composed of palmitic acid, is a foundational fatty acid crucial for skin health and product stability. It functions as an effective emollient, reinforcing the skin's lipid barrier to combat dryness and protect against environmental stressors. Additionally, it serves as a gentle cleansing agent and a vital emulsifier in skincare formulations.

Emollient Cleansing Emulsifying Skin Barrier Support Moisturizing

Science

Palm Acid, predominantly palmitic acid, actively reinforces the skin's natural lipid barrier, preventing moisture loss and irritation while protecting against external aggressors. Its emollient properties effectively seal in hydration, alleviating dryness and softening rough skin textures. Functioning as a surfactant, it gently aids in removing dirt and oils. Furthermore, it acts as an emulsifier, stabilizing formulations by preventing oil and water separation and enhancing product consistency. Palmitic acid is an inherent component of the skin's stratum corneum and plays a critical role in epidermal morphogenesis and proper early differentiation.


Research

Medium confidence
Effective range 1–20%
Optimal

5%

Key findings

  1. 01 Regularly incorporated into cosmetic formulations as a moisturizer, emulsifier, or cleansing agent.
  2. 02 In human skin equivalents, palmitic acid supplementation proved crucial for epidermal morphogenesis and lipid barrier formation, promoting early differentiation and reducing epidermal activation.
  3. 03 Formulations containing Red Palm Oil, rich in palmitic acid, applied at 5-10% led to improved skin hydration by 15-20%, reduced erythema, and decreased collagen degradation over 4-8 weeks of application.

Transparency

Not commonly dusted

The Formula

Solubility
Oil
Optimal pH N/A
0 7 14

Stability

Palmitic acid typically presents as a white, waxy solid at room temperature. Its stability and pharmacological efficacy can be diminished by exposure to heat and sunlight. It is also utilized within formulations to enhance overall product stability.


Safety

CIR Status
Safe as used
Sensitization risk Low

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has determined that palm tree-derived ingredients, including those rich in palmitic acid, are safe for use in cosmetic products under current practices. As a natural component of the skin, palmitic acid itself is considered safe for cosmetic application within recommended concentrations.


Your Skin

Yes Normal
Yes Dry
No Oily
Yes Sensitive
Irritancy Low
Comedogenicity Low

Our Assessment

Essential

Palm Acid is an essential ingredient for comprehensive skincare, offering crucial benefits in fortifying the skin barrier, delivering emollient effects, and enhancing product formulation stability and cleansing performance.


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