Arachidic Acid
AKA: Icosanoic acid, EICOSANOIC ACID, 506-30-9, Arachic acid, N-Eicosanoic acid, CHEBI:28822
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
Icosanoic acid is a C20 striaght-chain saturated fatty acid which forms a minor constituent of peanut (L. arachis) and corn oils. Used as an organic thin film in the production of liquid crystals for a wide variety of technical applications. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a long-chain fatty acid and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of an icosanoate.
Formula
C20H40O2
Mol. Weight
312.50
CAS #
506-30-9
Form
Liquid
State
Other Solid; Liquid
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Buffering
Removes Impurities
Emulsifier
Adds Opacity
Cleansing Surfactant
Mixes Oil & Water
Traditional Use
A naturally occurring fatty acid found in small quantities in various plant and animal sources. Used in modern cosmetics as an emulsifier and skin conditioning agent, synthesized for consistency and purity.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR