Very Disliked
Palmitic Acid
Can worsen Oily Skin
These ingredients are known to potentially contribute to excess oil or shine, but they don't affect everyone the same way. Skin can be oily for many reasons, so it's always a good idea to consider your unique skin needs when choosing products.
May feed Fungal Acne
Fungal acne-safe products avoid ingredients that feed Malassezia yeast, the cause of fungal acne. Unlike regular acne, fungal acne appears as small, uniform bumps and won't respond to typical acne treatments. If you suspect fungal acne, consult a dermatologist for proper diagnosis.
Explained
Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid naturally found in our skin and in many plant and animal sources. In cosmetics, it is usually derived from palm oil. It serves many purposes in skincare, acting as a cleanser, emollient, and emulsifier.
As an emollient, palmitic acid helps soften and smooth the skin by preventing water loss. In cleansers, it helps remove oil and dirt while creating foam.
Its emulsifying properties help stabilize products by keeping water and oil-based ingredients from separating.
This may not be suitable for fungal acne-prone skin, as fatty acids like this can sometimes trigger breakouts in sensitive individuals.
See all 3,533 products with Palmitic Acid
What it does
Emollient
Having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.
Emulsifying
The act of emulsion: a suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix
Prevalence
Uncommon
Percentage of products that contain it
3.7%
Top categories
Moisturizers
Cleansers
Makeup
Position
Predominant list placement
Top 50%
References
Products with Palmitic Acid
CosIng Data
CosIng ID
78421
INCI Name
PALMITIC ACID
EC #
 200-312-9
All Functions
Emollient, Emulsifying
