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Cetyl Palmitate

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Catalog Number CI-SC-0388
Product Name Cetyl Palmitate
CAS 540-10-3
Structure
Description Pure vegetable lipid ester derived from cetyl alcohol & palmitic acid (naturally occurring fatty acid). Cetyl palmitate is a natural substance as it occurs naturally in spermaceti of sperm whales. Required HLB is 10. Melting point 43-48°C (109-118°F). Made from sustainable palm oil (RSPO certified).
Solubility Oil-soluble
Appearance White-waxy flakes, faint odor
Application Color cosmetics (e.g. lipsticks), hair care, lotions, creams, moisturizers, cleansers, deodorant sticks, sunscreens.
Storage Store in a closed container at a dry place at room temperature
Composition Cetyl palmitate
Features And Benefits Great skin-conditioning and emollient ingredientUsed as occlusive and masking ingredientEnhances emulsion stabilityExcellent film formerReduces greasy feel of oil systemsImproves payoff characteristics in stick cosmetics
GMO GMONo data available
HS Code 3823706000
INCI Cetyl palmitate
Manufacture Cetyl palmitate is produced by reacting cetyl alcohol with palmitic acid.
Preservation Preservative-free
Purity Grade No purity grade applicable
Raw Material Source Vegetable oils
Uses Add to oil phase of formulas, usual final concentration 2-15%. For external use only.
Product Overview

Cetyl Palmitate, a cetyl ester of palmitic acid, is widely utilized in the cosmetics and personal care industries due to its versatile properties. Resembling whale wax, this solid substance boasts a melting temperature range of 46-53ºC, making it suitable for various formulations. As an emollient, Cetyl Palmitate effectively lubricates and conditions the skin, contributing to a softer and smoother appearance. It also functions as a surfactant in shampoos and serves as an emulsifier or thickening agent in lotions, moisturizers, and creams. In decorative cosmetics, such as foundations, lipsticks, eyeliners, and concealers, it acts as a texturizing agent. Moreover, Cetyl Palmitate is valued for its ability to absorb the infrared spectrum of sunlight, making it a beneficial ingredient in sunscreens, moisturizers, and anti-aging treatments, akin to the role of palmitic acid.

Case Study

Cetyl Palmitate-Based Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Coenzyme Q10 Delivery

Teeranachaideekul, Veerawat, et al. European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics, 2007, 67(1), 141-148.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) composed of cetyl palmitate and varying amounts of caprylic/capric triglycerides were prepared and used to encapsulate coenzyme Q10 (Q10) with high lipophilicity. NLCs proved to be suitable carriers for active drugs, especially for topical administration. The study found that NLCs exhibited a biphasic release pattern, with NLCs initially providing a rapid release to reach skin saturation and then providing a slow and prolonged release profile to maintain skin concentrations of Q10.
NLC Formulation Development
· NLC containing 24% Q10 based on lipid content, alongside Q10-free NLC, were created using hot high-pressure homogenization (HPH). The melted lipid phase, which included solid lipid (cetyl palmitate), liquid lipid (caprylic/capric triacylglycerols), and the active ingredient, was mixed in a hot surfactant solution at 85°C to form a pre-emulsion via high-speed stirring at 8000 rpm for one minute.
· This hot pre-emulsion underwent three homogenization cycles at 500 bar and 85°C during the HPH process. The resulting lipid dispersion was then cooled to room temperature, allowing it to solidify into aqueous NLC dispersions. All formulated products exhibited an average particle size between 180-240 nm and a polydispersity index (PI) under 0.2, with encapsulation efficiency reaching 100%.

Cetyl Palmitate for the Formulation Development of Hydrophilic Cream Base

Birsan, Magdalena, et al. Farmacia, 2022, 70(5), 880-889.

This work aimed to develop a cream base for the formulation of pharmaceutical or cosmeceutical preparations. To ensure the best consistency, stearic acid (3-4%) and cetyl palmitate (3%) were added to the formulation. In addition, stearic acid and cetyl palmitate can form a liquid crystal structure in the aqueous phase, and the emulsion system becomes stable.
Formulation and preparation of topical cream bases
· The components of the four formulations are outlined in the table. The emulsifier (PGMGds) was mixed into the hydrophilic phase and heated to 45°C before adding the lipophilic phase at the same temperature. The oil phase was then blended into the water phase using a laboratory mixer and homogenized at 4500 RPM for 5 minutes.
· In terms of consistency, FIII which contains 3% cetyl palmitate, 3% stearic acid, 3.5% polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate and 65.5% Centaurea cyanus flower water emerges as the top recommendation for skin applications requiring effortless spreading.
· Testing on six human participants using FI, composed of 3% cetyl palmitate, 3% stearic acid, 3% polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, and 66% Centaurea cyanus flower water, indicated an average hydration increase of 12.8% compared to baseline (before cream application), while FIII showed a 6.5% increase.

Custom Q&A

What is Cetyl Palmitate and what are its primary uses?

Cetyl Palmitate is a cetyl ester of palmitic acid that resembles whale wax in its properties. It is primarily used in the cosmetics and personal care industry as an emollient, surfactant, emulsifier, and thickening agent. It helps condition and smooth the skin's surface in products like lotions, moisturizers, and creams. Moreover, Cetyl Palmitate acts as a texturizing agent in decorative cosmetics, such as foundations and lipsticks, and is utilized in sunscreens due to its ability to absorb the infrared spectrum of sunlight.

How does Cetyl Palmitate benefit the skin?

As an emollient, Cetyl Palmitate lubricates and conditions the skin, aiding in making it appear softer and smoother. By forming a layer on the skin's surface, it helps retain moisture, reducing dryness and providing a desirable texture in various skincare products.

Can Cetyl Palmitate be used in hair care products?

Yes, Cetyl Palmitate can be used as a surfactant in shampoos. It assists in creating a creamy texture and enhances the application by helping the product spread more easily throughout the hair, thereby improving manageability and the overall feel of the hair.

What is the melting temperature range of Cetyl Palmitate?

Cetyl Palmitate has a melting temperature range of 46-53ºC, which makes it suitable for use in various formulations, particularly those that require solidification at room or body temperature.

Is Cetyl Palmitate derived from animal or vegetable sources?

While Cetyl Palmitate itself is a synthetic ester, its principal component, palmitic acid, can be found in both animal fats and vegetable fats. Palmitic acid constitutes 20-30 percent of most animal fats and is an essential constituent of most vegetable fats, particularly palm oil, where it comprises 35-45 percent of the fat content.

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