Potassium Tallate
AKA “Potassium salt of tall oil fatty acids
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Potassium tallate
AKA: Potassium salt of tall oil fatty acids
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Plant Oil
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle plant-based cleanser derived from natural oils that removes dirt and impurities without stripping skin or hair of natural moisture.
CAS #
61790-44-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Cleansing
Makes oil and water mix so dirt, makeup, and sunscreen can actually be washed away. The reason your face wash foams.
Emulsifying
Forces oil and water to stay mixed instead of separating into layers. The unsung hero holding your lotion together.
Cleansing Surfactant
Removes Impurities
Traditional Use
A potassium salt of tall oil fatty acids developed in the 20th century. Tall oil, a byproduct of wood pulping, was adapted for cosmetics as a sustainable emulsifier and conditioning agent.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Amended Safety Assessment of Tall Oil Acid, Sodium Tallate, Potassium Tallate and Ammonium Tallate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Potassium Tallate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Potassium Tallate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Amended safety assessment of tall oil acid, sodium tallate, potassium tallate, and ammonium tallate.
Robinson V, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Amended safety assessment of tall oil acid, sodium tallate, potassium tallate, and ammonium tallate.
Robinson V, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Amended safety assessment of tall oil acid, sodium tallate, potassium tallate, and ammonium tallate.
Robinson V, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Amended safety assessment of tall oil acid, sodium tallate, potassium tallate, and ammonium tallate.
Robinson V, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Klaassen CD, Marks JG Jr et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2009
Verified Feb 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR