Clear glass laboratory flask (Erlenmeyer) partially filled with water on a white surface.

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

A Light, Silky Emollient Ester

Ethylhexyl Palmitate (Octyl Palmitate) is a light emollient ester of palmitic acid, supplied as a clear, thin oil.

It provides a silky, non-greasy slip and good spreadability, and helps disperse pigments — a classic texturizing emollient.

Quick Insights

Ingredient Rating:

GOOD

Type of Ingredient:

Emollient

Intended Function:

A light emollient ester used for a silky feel, easy spread and pigment dispersion.

Common Applications:

Used in moisturizers, color cosmetics and cleansing oils.

Target Audience:

Brands wanting a light, cost-effective emollient ester to refine texture.

Also Known As:

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyl Palmitate

Benefits of Ethylhexyl Palmitate

A dependable functional ingredient that does its job elegantly.

Silky Emollience: Softens with a light, smooth, non-greasy feel.
Spread & Glide: Improves application and evens out heavier oils.
Pigment Dispersant: Helps wet and disperse powders and pigments.
Stable: Oxidation-stable with a long shelf life.
Versatile: Suits creams, make-up and cleansing oils.

How It Works

A branched, saturated ester that spreads readily and leaves a thin, dry-ish emollient film, used to lighten oil phases and improve sensory feel and pigment dispersion.

Formulating with Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Oil-phase; add to adjust feel and spread, and to help disperse pigments in color products.

Safety Analysis

Ethylhexyl Palmitate is a well-tolerated, widely used emollient ester. Substantiate the finished product (patch / HRIPT) per MoCRA.

References

https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/ethylhexyl-palmitate

https://cosmetics.specialchem.com/inci-ingredients/ethylhexyl-palmitate

https://cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/ethylhexyl-palmitate/

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