Hydroxycaproyl Phytosphingosine

Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Ceramide
Plant Oil
Clean
Hexanamide, N-[2,3-dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)heptadecyl]-2-hydroxy
Formula
C24H49NO5
Mol. Weight
431.60
CAS #
-
Form
Powder
Functions
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic derivative combining a fatty acid with phytosphingosine (a plant-derived ceramide precursor) developed in recent decades for skincare products. Created to mimic the skin's natural ceramide structure and improve barrier function in modern cosmetic formulations.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
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