Decyl Palmitate

AKA: Decyl hexadecanoate, 42232-27-9, Hexadecanoic acid, Decyl ester

Synthetic

Emollient

Skin Conditioner

Clean

Hexadecanoic Acid, Decyl Ester

Formula

C26H52O2

Mol. Weight

396.70

CAS #

42232-27-9

Form

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.

Emollient

Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.

Locks In Moisture

Traditional Use

A 20th-century synthetic ester created from decyl alcohol and palmitic acid. Developed to provide emollient and texture-enhancing properties in cosmetic formulations.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not a Sensitizer

medical-approval

all-shades-safe

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Skin Types

●all-skin-types

Best For

Dryness

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️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