Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
AKA: Hardened palm kernel oil
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Clean
Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil is the end product of controlled hydrogenation of Elaeis Guineensis Kernel Oil.
Effective at 30.0%
Family
Arecaceae (Palm family)
Plant Part
Kernel
CAS #
68990-82-9, 84540-04-5
Form
Oil
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
Palm kernel oil has traditional use in African and Pacific Island skincare and hair care practices. Industrial hydrogenation (developed in the early 1900s) creates a stable, semi-solid ingredient that mimics natural oil benefits with extended shelf life.
EWG
2
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.0005%
60.0%
0%84%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.3-4 | 0.001-3 | 0.01-15 | 0.0005-60 | 0.06-3
Regulatory Agencies
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR