Ethylhexyl Palmitate is a lightweight, oil-soluble emollient commonly used in cosmetics and personal care products. It is the ester of 2-ethylhexanol and palmitic acid.
Description
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a silky, non-greasy feel. It is often used as a substitute for heavier oils because it spreads easily and leaves a smooth finish on the skin.
Benefits
- Excellent emollient: Softens and smooths the skin.
- Improves spreadability: Helps creams, lotions, and oils glide easily during application.
- Lightweight feel: Provides a dry-touch, non-greasy skin feel compared to many natural oils.
- Enhances sensory properties: Reduces tackiness and improves the texture of formulations.
- Pigment dispersant: Commonly used in makeup products to help disperse pigments evenly.
- Water-resistant properties: Can improve the wear and performance of sunscreens and color cosmetics.
- Good oxidative stability: More resistant to rancidity than some vegetable oils.
Typical Usage Rates
| Product Type | Usage Rate |
|---|---|
| Facial serums/oils | 2–20% |
| Creams & lotions | 3–15% |
| Sunscreens | 5–20% |
| Makeup (foundations, lipsticks) | 5–30% |
| Hair care products | 1–10% |
| Cleansing oils | 5–50% |
Formulation Notes
- Oil-soluble only.
- Compatible with most cosmetic oils, esters, silicones, waxes, and emulsifiers.
- Added to the oil phase of emulsions.
- Helps reduce the greasy feel of heavier oils such as Castor Oil, Avocado Oil, or Shea Butter.
Common Applications
- Moisturizers
- Facial oils
- Sunscreens
- Foundations and BB creams
- Lipsticks and lip balms
- Hair serums
- Body oils
- Cleansing oils
Advantages vs. Natural Oils
- Lighter skin feel
- Faster absorption
- Better spreadability
- Lower greasiness
- More consistent quality and stability
For most facial moisturizers, a usage level of 3–10% is often sufficient to provide a silky, elegant skin feel without making the formula overly oily.