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Sodium Palmitate
AKA “Palmitic acid sodium salt, Sodium hexadecanoate, Hexadecanoic acid, sodium salt, Palmitic acid, Sodium pentadecanecarboxylate”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Sodium palmitate
AKA: Palmitic acid sodium salt, Sodium hexadecanoate, Hexadecanoic acid, Sodium salt, Palmitic acid, Sodium pentadecanecarboxylate
Synthetic · Cleansing · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Cleanser
Emulsifier
Synthetic
Clean
A gentle cleanser and natural emulsifier derived from sustainable palm oil that helps remove impurities while keeping formulas smooth and creamy.
Solubility INSOL IN WATER, SPARINGLY SOL IN COLD ALC /PALMITIC ACID/
Formula
C16H31NaO2
Mol. Weight
278.41
CAS #
408-35-5
State
Dry Powder; 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.
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.
Viscosity Controlling
Surfactant Cleansing
Surfactant Emulsifying
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Fights Acne
Traditional Use
Derived from palmitic acid found in palm oil, used traditionally in African and Southeast Asian soap-making for centuries. Palm soaps were valued for skin conditioning and gentle cleansing.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Effects of Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Skin Permeation of Cromolyn Sodium.
Akinbote OE, Verana G, Dandekar AA, Tijani AO, Mishra D et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2023
Effects of Sodium Salts of Fatty Acids and Their Derivatives on Skin Permeation of Cromolyn Sodium.
Akinbote OE, Verana G, Dandekar AA, Tijani AO, Mishra D et al.
AAPS PharmSciTech, 2023
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Oleic Acid, Lauric Acid, Palmitic Acid, Myristic Acid, and Stearic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Palmitic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Palmitate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Palmitic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sodium Palmitate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
SODIUM SALT
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR