INCI name

PALMITIC ACID

Palmitic acid

Skin conditioning – emollient Surfactant – emulsifyingreviewed

A saturated fatty acid used in creams and soaps.

What it is

Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid found in palm oil and many other fats. It thickens emulsions and, when neutralised, forms soap.

Where it is used

Found in creams, cleansers, shaving products and soaps.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

Its role depends on the formula: emollient, thickener or soap base.

Functions

Skin conditioning – emollient: Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.
Surfactant – emulsifying: Helping suspensions or dispersions of liquids in a second liquid by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified.

EU regulation

This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.

Products with this ingredient (1015)

Check a full ingredient list