A soap salt of palmitic acid. It cleanses and foams in soap formulas. It can dry out dry skin at alkaline pH.
Topical application
BLimited evidence. One RCT or several controlled studies with limitations.
A soap surfactant. Safe; may dry out dry skin.
Sodium Palmitate is the sodium salt of palmitic acid, in other words a soap. It cleanses and lathers in soap-based formulas and is usually combined with other fatty salts to tune the hardness and creaminess of the foam. This is a functional ingredient, a cleansing surfactant, not a skincare active. Its role is to lift oil and dirt and give body to the bar or cleanser. It does that job within a system that runs at alkaline pH. Applied topically there is no meaningful systemic absorption, so it can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. On tolerance, irritation and allergy potential is low, but harshness is moderate: as an alkaline soap it can dry out dry or sensitive skin if used very often. On oily skin it usually feels comfortable; with dry skin, a lower-pH cleanser or spacing out use is wiser.
Irritation potential
LowAllergen risk
LowPregnancy
SafeSuitable for
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Sodium Palmitate is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
Sodium Palmitate suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
A soap salt of palmitic acid.
The INCI name is Sodium Palmitate. It may also appear as: Натрия пальмитат.
Published: · updated: