Authored by: Arthur Ghochikyan, M.D.
Functions
Emollient
Thickener
Emulsifier
Protective
Liposome forming agent
Delivery vehicle
Cetyl Palmitate is a cetyl ester of palmitic acid that has similar properties to whale wax. It is a solid with a melting temperature range of 46-53ºC. Palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid) constitutes between 20 and 30 percent of most animal fats and is an essential constituent of most vegetable fats (35 - 45 percent of palm oil).
Thanks to solvent-free production methods, many palmitate esters are used in a broad spectrum of cosmetics and personal care products. Cetyl Palmitate is an emollient that lubricates and conditions the skin's surface, helping it appear softer and smoother.
Cetyl Palmitate can be used as a surfactant in shampoos. It is also helpful as an emulsifier or thickening agent in cosmetic formulations, including lotions, moisturizers, and creams. It is also used to form solid-lipid nanoparticles (SLN) or nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) as delivery vehicles for cosmetic actives.
Cetyl palmitate is an emollient or texturizing agent used in decorative cosmetics (foundations, lipsticks, eyeliner, concealers, etc.). Like palmitic acid, it absorbs infrared light from sunlight and is used as a protective ingredient in sunscreens, moisturizers, and anti-aging treatments. It is a safe, well-studied, and eco-friendly ingredient for personal care applications derived from renewable and sustainable sources.
References
Enzymatic kinetics of cetyl palmitate synthesis in a solvent-free system
Author(s):
Cirillo Natália Allana, Quirrenbach Carolina Gomes, Corazza Marcos Lúcio, Voll Fernando Augusto Pedersen
DOI:
10.1016/j.bej.2018.05.021
Cetyl palmitate-based NLC for topical delivery of Coenzyme Q(10) - development, physicochemical characterization and in vitro release studies
Author(s):
Teeranachaideekul V, Souto EB, Junyaprasert VB, Müller RH
DOI:
10.1016/j.ejpb.2007.01.015
Preparation of cetyl palmitate-based PEGylated solid lipid nanoparticles by microfluidic technique
Author(s):
Arduino I, Liu Z, Rahikkala A, Figueiredo P, Correia A, Cutrignelli A, Denora N, Santos HA
DOI:
10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.024
Engineered lipid nanoparticles loaded with LL-37 peptide as inhalable drug delivery carriers for the treatment of bacterial infections
Author(s):
Reczyńska-Kolman K, Ochońska D, Brzychczy-Włoch M, Pamuła E
DOI:
10.1016/j.bioadv.2025.214363
Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics
Author(s):
Fiume Monice M., Heldreth Bart A., Bergfeld Wilma F., Belsito Donald V., Hill Ronald A., Klaassen Curtis D., Liebler Daniel C., Marks James G., Shank Ronald C., Slaga Thomas J., Snyder Paul W., Andersen F. Alan
DOI:
10.1177/1091581815594027
