Sodium Palmitate
A soap salt of palmitic acid. It cleanses and foams in soap formulas. It can dry out dry skin at alkaline pH.
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 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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sodium Palmitate safe during pregnancy?
Sodium Palmitate is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Sodium Palmitate for?
Sodium Palmitate suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Sodium Palmitate and what does it do in cosmetics?
A soap salt of palmitic acid.
What's the INCI name for Sodium Palmitate?
The INCI name is Sodium Palmitate.
See Sodium Palmitate in a product composition right on the store page
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Similar role in the formula
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