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Palmitic Acid

Well toleratedEmollientemollientemulsion stabilisersurfactant

No meaningful concern for most people; irritation is possible but rare.

Also written as: Hexadecanoic acid

What it is

Palmitic acid is a 16-carbon saturated fatty acid, one of the most abundant fatty acids in nature and a normal component of human sebum and the skin barrier. In cosmetics it acts as a softening agent, an emulsion stabiliser and, in soap systems, part of the cleansing base.

What it does well

  • Softens skin and helps hold emulsions together

    It is a routine, well-tolerated structural fatty acid used throughout cosmetic formulation.

    Strong evidence

Where the EU stands

No specific restriction

No EU restriction on use or concentration in cosmetics.

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 - no annex entry · source ↗

Masks that contain Palmitic Acid