Palmitic Acid

Palmitic Acid Description

Palmitic acid is a fatty acid found naturally in skin, as well as in palm oil, palm kernel oil, butter, cheese, and meat. It is the most common fatty acid found in animals, plants, and microorganisms. It is used as the basis for many palmitate ingredients, such as isopropyl palmitate. Palmitic acid has many functions in cosmetics, such as a detergent cleansing agent and an emollient.

In a cleanser, it has the potential to be drying depending on which other ingredients it’s combined with and the cleanser’s pH level. In moisturizers, palmitic acid is a very good emollient while its emulsifying abilities help keep unlike ingredients from separating.

Palmitic acid has been determined safe as used in cosmetics when used in concentrations up to 13%.