Cetylpalmitate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a waxy emollient and consistency agent that adds cushion, slip, and structure to creams, balms, sticks, and anhydrous formulas. It helps thicken the oil phase and leaves a soft, non-greasy finish.
What does Cetylpalmitate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a waxy emollient and consistency agent that adds cushion, slip, and structure to creams, balms, sticks, and anhydrous formulas. It helps thicken the oil phase and leaves a soft, non-greasy finish.
Is Cetylpalmitate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it is generally well tolerated, low in irritation potential, and not a common restricted-list ingredient. The main point of scrutiny is supply chain transparency for fatty feedstocks rather than routine skin-safety concern.
Is Cetylpalmitate sustainable?
This material is commonly made from fatty alcohols and fatty acids that may come from vegetable, animal, or petrochemical feedstocks, with modern cosmetic supply usually favoring plant-derived sources. It is expected to biodegrade more readily than persistent synthetic polymers, but palm-linked sourcing can be a supply-chain caveat.
Is Cetylpalmitate COSMOS-approved?
It can be permitted under COSMOS-natural and COSMOS-organic when the feedstocks and esterification process meet the standard’s requirements. Its best Green Chemistry fit comes from renewable fatty feedstocks, low functional complexity, and biodegradability, with sourcing certification strengthening the profile.
How does Cetylpalmitate work chemically?
The molecule is a saturated long-chain wax ester, typically solid or semi-solid at room temperature with a melting range around the mid-40s to low-50s °C. It is commonly used around 1 to 10% depending on texture goals, is relatively oxidation-stable because of its saturated chains, and is most stable in typical cosmetic pH ranges rather than strongly acidic or alkaline systems.
Last updated 2026-05-15