Creamscan logo
Burger menu icon
Close burger menu icon

Palmitic Acid

A saturated fatty acid used in skincare as a strongly occlusive moisturizer and barrier repairing, emollient ingredient. It is a waxy-looking, white solid. Palmitic acid can be commonly found in animal and vegetable fats, notably palm oil.
Moisturizing
Occlusive icon Occlusive
Moisturizing (Occlusive)
Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier.
Occlusive icon Occlusive
Moisturizing (Occlusive)
Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier.
Other functions
Barrier Repair,
Barrier Repair
Barrier repair ingredients help to restore the healthy function of the skin’s lipid barrier.
Barrier Repair,
Barrier Repair
Barrier repair ingredients help to restore the healthy function of the skin’s lipid barrier.
Emollient,
Emollient
Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
Emollient,
Emollient
Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
Cleansing,
Cleansing
Cleansing ingredients, also known as surfactants, clear dirt and buildup from the skin.
Cleansing,
Cleansing
Cleansing ingredients, also known as surfactants, clear dirt and buildup from the skin.
Fragrance,
Fragrance
Fragrance ingredients add scent to a product or hide ('mask') the undesired aroma of other ingredients.
Fragrance,
Fragrance
Fragrance ingredients add scent to a product or hide ('mask') the undesired aroma of other ingredients.
Emulsifying,
Emulsifying
Emulsifying – helps to mix water and oil together.
Emulsifying,
Emulsifying
Emulsifying – helps to mix water and oil together.
Opacifying
Opacifying
Opacifying – reflects light and creates opaque products.
Opacifying
Opacifying
Opacifying – reflects light and creates opaque products.
Origin
Botanical,
Botanical
Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.
Botanical,
Botanical
Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Palmitic Acid

Overview

Palmitic acid is a fatty acid, meaning that it is an acid with a long, oil-soluble tail. It is specifically a saturated fatty acid, which means that its oil-soluble tail only contains single bonds. It is a waxy-looking, white solid.

Palmitic acid is used in skincare products to help to maintain the barrier function of the skin, prevent transepidermal water loss, and as an emollient.

The acid is strongly occlusive (since it is a saturated fatty acid). It tends to feel very heavy and thick on the skin and so is usually used together with other emulsifiers. It also helps in the formulation of the skincare product.

Palmitic acid is the most common saturated fatty acid in nature and can widely be found in vegetable and animal fats. The best source of palmitic acid for the industry is palm oil.

Palmitic acid is very often used for the production of soap. It is also emulsifying, meaning that it helps water and oil to mix in the skincare product.

Products with Palmitic Acid

Mask Two Deep Cleansing Clay Mask
dr
Mask Two Deep Cleansing Clay Mask
Sublimage La Creme Yeux
Chanel
8.2
Moisturizing icon
Sublimage La Creme Yeux
Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle
Kiehl's
Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle
Show All