Is Palmitic Acid safe in cosmetics?
Palmitic Acid has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
Palmitic Acid
Also known as: 4-02-00-01157, BRN 0607489, EINECS 200-312-9, FEMA No. 2832, Palmitic acid 95% (+14 more)
INCI: PALMITIC ACID
Palmitic Acid (CAS 57-10-3) is a cosmetic emollient functioning as Saturated long-chain fatty acid (C16:0). One of the two predominant free fatty. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data.
Function
Saturated long-chain fatty acid (C16:0). One of the two predominant free fatty acids in the stratum corneum lipid matrix alongside stearic acid (C18:0). Contributes to the crystalline lamellar structure underpinning barrier function at the equimolar ceramide:cholesterol:FFA (1:1:1) molar ratio. Functions as emollient, consistency agent, co-emulsifier, and skin-conditioning agent. Predominantly palm-derived in cosmetic supply chains; also present in tallow and some plant oils.
Editorial assessment
EXCELLENT
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Endogenous SC lipid component. No FDA or CIR restrictions. Palm-derived supply chain: EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) mandates plot-level traceability for palm oil and derivatives. RSPO Mass Balance or Segregated certification required for EU market compliance. Fully saturated — no oxidative stability concerns.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Palmitic Acid.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Palmitic Acid, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
1-4%
Penetration Level
surface
Penetration Depth
stratum corneum
Molecular Weight
256.4 Da
Log P
6.4
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
0.5-2%
Safety Margin Factor
low
Source: CIR Expert Panel
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
3 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOEL | =0.9 mM | European Rabbit | environmental | short-term | ECOTOX |
| NOEL | =0.09 mM | European Rabbit | environmental | short-term | ECOTOX |
| LD50 | >10000 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ChemIDplus |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-adhesive/cohesive
Emulsifier
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Lubricating agent
Opacifer
Plasticizer
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Softener and conditioner
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Regulatory List Membership (6)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Consumer Product Chemical
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Palmitic Acid — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
sc-lipid-component
barrier-active
palm-derivative
eudr-compliance
rspo-required
oxidatively-stable
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
jecfa_safe
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Palmitic Acid by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
6
Lowest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1500 mg/kg bw/day
ECHA
Known Synonyms
4-02-00-01157
BRN 0607489
EINECS 200-312-9
FEMA No. 2832
Palmitic acid 95%
UNII-2V16EO95H1
1-hexyldecanoic acid
16:00
C16
C16 fatty acid
C16:0
CH3-[CH2]14-COOH
Edenor C16
Emersol 140
Glycon P-45
Hexadecanoate
Hexadecanoic acid
Hexadecanoic acid palmitic acid
Hexadecoate
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Softener and conditioner
Emulsifier
Fragrance
Opacifer
Regulatory Lists
Canada; consumer_product; Substances in Products - Canada (4/2014)
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Arts and crafts/Office supplies - children's art and toys - modeling clay; detected; Europe
air; Arts and crafts/Office supplies - children's art and toys - modeling clay; detected; emissions; Europe
Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; Europe
air; Cleaning products and household care - air freshener; detected; emissions; Europe
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
Europe
detected; Europe; Toys and children's products
pharmaceutical
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care
Europe; plastic_additive
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
PALMITIC ACID
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL82293
Max Phase
-1
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
PALMITIC ACID
ADI
No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent mg/kg bw
Food Category
flavoring
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palmitic Acid allowed in the EU?
Palmitic Acid EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Palmitic Acid do in cosmetics?
Palmitic Acid functions as: Saturated long-chain fatty acid (C16:0). One of the two predominant free fatty acids in the stratum corneum lipid matrix alongside stearic acid (C18:0). Contributes to the crystalline lamellar structure underpinning barrier function at the equimolar ceramide:cholesterol:FFA (1:1:1) molar ratio. Functions as emollient, consistency agent, co-emulsifier, and skin-conditioning agent. Predominantly palm-derived in cosmetic supply chains; also present in tallow and some plant oils.. It is classified as a Emollient in our database. CAS number: 57-10-3.
Is Palmitic Acid used outside cosmetics?
Palmitic Acid also appears in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Palmitic Acid compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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