Sodium Palmate
A soap base from palm oil. It gives a dense lather and cleansing in bar soap. The soap base can feel drying, so sensitive skin watches it.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Sodium palmate (INCI: Sodium Palmate) is the sodium salt of palm oil fatty acids, that is, soap obtained by saponifying that oil. It forms the base of many solid soaps and gives dense lather with good cleansing power. It is a functional component, not a care active. Its job is to build the cleansing matrix, not to treat skin. As a classic soap it cleanses well but has an alkaline pH that tends to strip oil from the skin surface. Topically, in rinse-off format, systemic absorption is negligible, so it can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Irritation potential and allergy risk are low, but its surfactant action is moderate: dry or sensitive skin may feel tight after washing. For those skin types a syndet cleanser with a pH closer to skin, followed by a good moisturizer, usually works better.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sodium Palmate safe during pregnancy?
Sodium Palmate is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Sodium Palmate for?
Sodium Palmate suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Sodium Palmate and what does it do in cosmetics?
A soap base from palm oil.
What's the INCI name for Sodium Palmate?
The INCI name is Sodium Palmate.
See Sodium Palmate in a product composition right on the store page
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Similar role in the formula
Other functional ingredients
Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Asarum Sieboldii Root Extract, Dextrin Myristate, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
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