murphyPalmitic Acid
AKA: Hexadecanoic acid, 57-10-3, Cetylic acid, N-Hexadecanoic acid, Hexadecylic acid, 1-Pentadecanecarboxylic acid, N-Hexadecoic acid, Hydrofol, Palmitinic acid
Synthetic
Emollient
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Skin Conditioner
Acid
Clean
OriginDerived from palm oil, coconut oil, or other plant-based triglycerides rich in saturated fatty acids. Isolated through saponification and fractional distillation or hydrolysis of the source oils.
Palmitic acid, or hexadecanoic acid is one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in animals and plants, a saturated fatty acid found in fats and waxes including olive oil, palm oil, and body lipids. It occurs in the form of esters (glycerides) in oils and fats of vegetable and animal origin and is usually obtained from palm oil, which is widely distributed in plants. Palmitic acid is used in determination of water hardness and is an active ingredient of *Levovist*TM, used in echo enhancement in sonographic Doppler B-mode imaging and as an ultrasound contrast medium.
Solubility 0.04
Formula
C16H32O2
Mol. Weight
256.42
CAS #
57-10-3
Form
Powder
State
Liquid, Other Solid; Other Solid; Dry Powder; Liquid; Pellets or Large Crystals; Pellets or Large Crystals, Other Solid
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Functions
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Locks In Moisture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed3 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
3 studies / 3 not sensitizing (CIR 161 and 777)
Not Phototoxic
Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 161 and 777)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
4 studies / 1 irritating / 1 mixed / 2 not irritating / reactions minimal to moderate (CIR 161 and 777)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
10 studies / 3 irritating / 2 mixed / 5 not irritating / reactions minimal to moderate (CIR 161 and 777)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.000000001–21%
Rinse-off0.00082–21%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2016 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR