Cetyl Palmitate
AKA “Palmityl palmitate, Hexadecyl hexadecanoate, Hexadecanoic acid, hexadecyl ester, n-Hexadecyl hexadecanoate, PALMITIC ACID, HEXADECYL ESTER, WE(16:0/16:0)”
Fatty Acid
vote to see if the hive agrees
Ingredient Facts
Cetyl palmitate
AKA: Palmityl palmitate, Hexadecyl hexadecanoate, Hexadecanoic acid, Hexadecyl ester, N-Hexadecyl hexadecanoate, PALMITIC ACID, HEXADECYL ESTER, WE(16:0/16:0)
Fatty Acid · Emollient | Fragrance | Conditioning · EWG: 5
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Fragrance
Skin Conditioner
Fatty Acid
Clean
A natural-derived softener that conditions and smooths skin and hair while helping products feel luxurious and silky on application.
Formula
C32H64O2
Mol. Weight
480.80
CAS #
540-10-3
Form
Powder
Plant-Derived
Synthetic. Derived from palmitic acid and cetyl alcohol, both long-chain fatty acids from plant or petroleum sources. Synthesized through esterification, combining palmitic acid with cetyl alcohol using catalytic conditions.
Function
Emollient | Fragrance | Conditioning
Benefits
Skin Conditioning Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Smooths and softens skin
Provides scent
Traditional Use
Fatty acids have been used since ancient times in skincare through oils and animal fats. The modern isolation and standardization of specific fatty acids for cosmetics began in the 20th century.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Target
Dryness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy Safe
Yes
EWG Score5
CIR Safety Findings
all-shades-safe, Not a Sensitizer
Concentration Guide
Industry Max
Industry typically uses up to 36.5% in leave-on products (1 products reported). Source: CIR Safety Assessment (CIR Seq 889).
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR