Arachidic Acid ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a long-chain fatty acid used mainly as a consistency builder, opacifier, and co-emulsifier. When neutralized with alkali, it can also contribute to soap-type cleansing and foam structure.
What does Arachidic Acid do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a long-chain fatty acid used mainly as a consistency builder, opacifier, and co-emulsifier. When neutralized with alkali, it can also contribute to soap-type cleansing and foam structure.
Is Arachidic Acid clean?
It has a low-friction clean-beauty profile, with no major restricted-list issues and generally good skin tolerance. Sensory heaviness or irritation is more likely when it is used in high-pH soap systems rather than as a neutral lipid structurant.
Is Arachidic Acid sustainable?
This material is commonly sourced from vegetable oil fractions, including peanut, rapeseed, or other plant oils, though exact feedstock depends on the supplier. It is expected to be readily biodegradable and has low environmental persistence compared with silicone or fluorinated materials.
Is Arachidic Acid COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when derived from approved natural feedstocks and made with allowed processing methods. It fits Green Chemistry well when plant-derived, biodegradable, and produced through simple fat-splitting or purification steps.
How does Arachidic Acid work chemically?
The molecule is a straight-chain, fully saturated 20-carbon carboxylic acid, which gives it a waxy, high-melting, low-volatility profile. It is stable against oxidation compared with unsaturated fatty acids, and formulators use it to add structure, opacity, and co-emulsification, especially in creams, sticks, cleansers, and soap systems.
Last updated 2026-05-13