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.
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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
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
PMID:
33326887
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
PMID:
40466415
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
Sucrose Polybehenate is a sucrose-derived ester with the traditional properties desired in an emollient. Still, it has outstanding additional benefits, such as film forming, suppleness, and wash and wear resistance.
Glyceryl Hydroxystearate is an off-white waxy solid that functions principally as an auxiliary emulsifier in personal care preparations. Its waxlike properties approach those of beeswax. It has an HLB value of 3.4.
This fatty alcohol produced from plant oils and natural waxes is used as an emulsifier, emollient, thickener, and carrying agent. It is not drying alcohol.
Behenyl alcohol is a long chain linear fatty alcohol (with 22 carn atoms) derived from natural raw materials such as rapeseed or coconut oils. It is a waxy solid at room temperature used in skin and hair care formulations as a thickener, emulsifier, binding agent, solubilizer, and gallant.
Cetyl alcohol (also know as 1-Hexadecanol) is 16 carbons in length fatty alcohol produced from palm oil and is used as an emollient, emulsifier, thickener, and carrying agent.
Palmitic acid (Hexadecanoic acid) is a saturated, 16-carbon atom-length fatty acid, a common component of animal fats and vegetable oils. It is a white, waxy solid at room temperature.
Glyceryl oleate (also known as glyceryl monooleate) is an ester of glycerin and oleic acid, in skincare formulas, acts as a skin lipid layer enhancer. It restores lost lipids to the skin and keeps hair from drying out.
Sorbitan Caprylate is a preservative booster derived from renewable raw materials. It is a sustainable ingredient that assists the efficacy of preserving agents. In addition, it can serve as an emulsifier, emollient, or viscosity control agent (thickener).
Polyglyceryl-3 Laurate is a monoester for laruic acid with a polyglycerol with three glycerin units. It is a clear to slightly hazy viscous liquid with a slight characteristic odor.
Tricaprylin (also known as glycerol tricaprylate; its former designation was Tricaprylate) is a triglyceride ester of caprylic acid and glycerine. Refined and deodorized, it is a clear, bland-smelling liquid that is miscible with most organic solvents, including pure ethanol.
