Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil

What it is

Palm oil is pressed from the fruit pulp of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis and is roughly half saturated (mostly palmitic acid) and half unsaturated (mostly oleic). That balance makes it semi-solid at room temperature and unusually resistant to oxidation, so it gives structure and long shelf life to balms and rich creams. Unrefined red palm oil also carries carotenoids and tocotrienols. Note that palm kernel oil, from the seed rather than the pulp, is a different ingredient with a different fatty acid profile.

What it does well

• Stable, structuring fat for rich textures

  Its high saturated fat content means it does not go rancid quickly and it sets a cream or balm without needing added waxes. This is a formulation property rather than a skin benefit.

  Moderate evidence

Worth knowing

• Sourcing, not skin safety, is the real issue

  Palm cultivation is a major driver of tropical deforestation and habitat loss. This is an environmental and ethical consideration rather than a risk to your skin; certified sustainable sourcing schemes exist, and brands that use them normally say so.

  Matters most toPeople making purchase decisions on environmental grounds.

• Rich and occlusive on the face

  Its high palmitic and oleic acid content makes it a heavy fat, better suited to body balms than to facial products for oily or congestion-prone skin.

  Matters most toPeople with oily or acne-prone skin.

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