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Ingredient

Palmitic Acid

The most common saturated fatty acid in animals and plants (C16) and a natural component of your own skin lipids, used in cosmetics as an emollient, emulsifier, and foam-building cleansing agent (it saponifies into sodium palmitate soap).

Key facts

INCI name
Palmitic Acid
Evidence grade
limited evidence
In our catalog
Found in 118 of the 1,914 products we've decoded
Pore-clogging
2/5 (a contested measure — take it lightly)
Fungal acne
Reported trigger
Reviewed
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Argan oil; smooths frizz and adds shine.

Bakuchiol

A plant-based alternative to retinol with similar smoothing benefits and less irritation.

Good to know

Fungal-acne triggercaution

Can feed Malassezia yeast — a trigger for fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis) in people prone to it.

What it does

limited evidence

Benefits

  • Skin-identical fatty acid that helps moisturizers feel smooth and emollient
  • Helps emulsify formulas and build foam in cleansers and shaving products

Side effects

  • Mildly comedogenic (commonly rated around 2/5), so it may contribute to clogged pores in those prone to them
  • Sits within the C11-C24 fatty-acid range that lipid-dependent Malassezia yeast can feed on, so it is generally flagged as a potential fungal-acne (Malassezia folliculitis) trigger

Who it's for

Most skin types as a supporting emollient/emulsifier; dry skin appreciates its smoothing feel

Who should be careful

Very acne-prone or fungal-acne (Malassezia folliculitis)-prone skin may want to limit fatty-acid-heavy products

Researched & reviewed · July 2, 2026

Products with Palmitic Acid (116)

NIVEA Soft Moisturizing Cream
Nivea
NIVEA Soft Moisturizing Cream
skincare · moisturizer
L’Oréal Paris Hyaluron Uzmanı Cilt Dolgunlaştıran Nemlendirici Krem Gece
L'Oréal Paris
L’Oréal Paris Hyaluron Uzmanı Cilt Dolgunlaştıran Nemlendirici Krem Gece
skincare · moisturizer
Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser
Neutragena
Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser
skincare · moisturizer
L'Oréal Paris Yaş Uzmanı 45+ Retino Peptit Kırışıklık Karşıtı Sıkılaştırıcı Gündüz Kremi
L'Oréal Paris
L'Oréal Paris Yaş Uzmanı 45+ Retino Peptit Kırışıklık Karşıtı Sıkılaştırıcı Gündüz Kremi
skincare · moisturizer
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
Kiehl's
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
skincare · moisturizer
Lait Solaire Tolérance Optimale SPF50
Mixa
Lait Solaire Tolérance Optimale SPF50
skincare · sunscreen
Arko Nem Değerli Yağlar Hindistan Cevizi Yağı İçeren Bakım Kremi
Arko Nem
Arko Nem Değerli Yağlar Hindistan Cevizi Yağı İçeren Bakım Kremi
skincare · moisturizer
Neutrogena Norveç Formülü El Kremi Parfümsüz
Neutrogena
Neutrogena Norveç Formülü El Kremi Parfümsüz
skincare · moisturizer
Dove Nemlendirici Sıvı Sabun Caring
Dove
Dove Nemlendirici Sıvı Sabun Caring
skincare · cleanser
Rice cleansing foam
Unknown brand
Rice cleansing foam
skincare · cleanser
Crème de jour anti-rides Q10
Cien
Crème de jour anti-rides Q10
skincare · moisturizer
La crème de jour
Absolution
La crème de jour
skincare · moisturizer
See all 116 in search →

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