Cetyl Palmitate
Whatsapp Order
Cetyl Palmitate is a naturally derived ester formed by the reaction of cetyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It appears as a white to off-white waxy solid with a mild fatty odor. This compound is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations for its emollient, thickening, and texture-enhancing properties. Cetyl Palmitate imparts a smooth, creamy feel to products and contributes to improved stability and consistency in creams, lotions, balms, and ointments. Its film-forming and skin-conditioning attributes make it a preferred ingredient in personal care products as well as in specialty industrial applications.
Description
Table of Contents
Toggle
Cetyl Palmitate
Primary Uses
- Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Functions as an emollient, thickener, and texture enhancer in creams, lotions, lipsticks, balms, and hair conditioners.
- Provides a smooth, velvety feel and improves the spreadability of topical products.
- Used as a stabilizer in oil-in-water emulsions to enhance consistency and shelf-life.
- Acts as a film-forming agent providing a protective barrier on the skin.
- Pharmaceuticals
- Used as a base and thickening agent in ointments, creams, and salves, improving skin feel and stability.
- Serves as an emollient in topical drug formulations for improved moisturizing and soothing effects.
Secondary Uses
- Industrial Applications
- Used in polishes, wax blends, and coatings to impart gloss and improve surface texture.
- Acts as a lubricant and anti-static agent in certain plastics and textile applications.
- Food Industry
- Occasionally used in food packaging or coatings, subject to regulatory approval.
- Research & Development
- Utilized as an ingredient in experimental formulations for novel cosmetic or pharmaceutical products.
KEY PRODUCT FEATURES
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Hexadecyl hexadecanoate
- Common/Trade Name: Cetyl Palmitate
- CAS Number: 540-10-3
- HS Code: 2915.99.90
- Molecular Formula: C32H64O2
- Molecular Weight: 480.86 g/mol
- Synonyms:
- Cetyl hexadecanoate
- Palmityl cetyl ester
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Solid waxy flakes or pastilles
- Color & Odor: White to pale yellow; mild fatty odor
- Melting Point: 45–50°C (113–122°F)
- Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
- Density: ~0.88 g/cm³ at 20°C
- Solubility:
- Insoluble in water
- Soluble in oils, alcohol, chloroform
- Flash Point: ~250°C (decomposition)
- Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- Hazard Class (GHS): Not classified as hazardous
- NFPA Ratings:
- Health: 0
- Flammability: 1
- Reactivity: 0
- Exposure Limits: Not established
- Toxicity: Low toxicity; generally recognized as safe in cosmetic and pharmaceutical use
- Reactivity: Stable; may decompose at high temperatures
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and ignition sources
- Container Type: Sealed plastic or metal containers
- Shelf Life: Up to 3 years if stored properly
- Special Handling: Avoid dust and excessive heat; use PPE when handling bulk quantities
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- FDA Status: Approved for use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
- REACH Status: Registered
- Transportation: Not regulated as hazardous
- Waste Disposal: Dispose in accordance with local environmental regulations
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Ecotoxicity: Low environmental impact; biodegradable
- Persistence: Biodegradable
- Bioaccumulation: Not expected to bioaccumulate
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable
SAFETY HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE: Gloves and protective eyewear recommended when handling in bulk
- Handling: Avoid dust inhalation and skin contact with molten product
- Storage: Keep containers tightly sealed and stored away from heat sources
- Hygiene: Wash hands after handling; avoid ingestion and eye contact
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air if dust inhaled; seek medical attention if breathing difficulties occur
- Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; seek medical advice if irritation develops
- Eye Contact: Flush with water for 15 minutes; consult physician if irritation persists
- Ingestion: Low toxicity; rinse mouth and seek medical advice if large amounts ingested
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Combustible; may release smoke and toxic fumes on burning
- Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical powder, CO₂, or water spray
- Special Precautions: Firefighters should wear protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
- Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons
Related products
Almond Wax
Almond Wax is a natural, plant-based wax derived from the hydrogenation of almond oil (Prunus amygdalus dulcis). It is a creamy to white, semi-solid wax with a mild, nutty scent and excellent emollient properties. Almond Wax is rich in fatty acids and has a smooth, soft texture, making it ideal for use in cosmetic, personal care, and candle formulations.
Due to its gentle consistency, skin-friendly profile, and moisturizing capabilities, Almond Wax is widely used in body butters, balms, lip care products, massage bars, and artisan soaps. It functions as a natural alternative to petroleum-based waxes and provides structure, viscosity, and glide to formulations. It also finds application in soft wax blends for natural candle products.
Baobab Oil
Baobab Oil is a luxurious, cold-pressed oil extracted from the seeds of the Adansonia digitata (baobab) tree, native to Africa. Rich in omega fatty acids (especially omega-3, 6, and 9), vitamins A, D, E, and F, and powerful antioxidants, Baobab Oil is prized for its deep moisturizing, skin-rejuvenating, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a light, non-greasy oil that absorbs quickly into the skin, making it ideal for a wide range of cosmetic and personal care applications.
Baobab Oil is especially suited for dry, sensitive, or mature skin. It supports skin elasticity, improves tone, and helps reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. In hair care, it nourishes and protects, leaving hair soft and manageable. Its natural stability and skin compatibility make it a premium ingredient in high-performance formulations.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees of the genus Apis. It is secreted by worker bees from specialized glands and used to build honeycomb cells. Beeswax is a complex mixture of esters, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons, characterized by a pale yellow to brown color, a pleasant honey-like aroma, and a firm yet pliable texture. It has excellent emulsifying, binding, and protective properties, making it widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial applications. Beeswax is prized for its natural origin, biodegradability, and skin-friendly characteristics.
Camelia Oil Infused
Camelia Oil Infused is a gentle, nutrient-rich botanical oil made by infusing the flowers or leaves of the Camellia sinensis or Camellia japonica plant into a carrier oil such as olive, jojoba, or sweet almond oil. Unlike cold-pressed camellia seed oil, this infusion captures a wider spectrum of antioxidant polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins from the plant material, delivering enhanced skin and hair benefits. Known for its lightweight, non-greasy texture and rapid absorption, Camellia Infused Oil is deeply moisturizing and ideal for sensitive, dry, or aging skin.
Popular in Japanese and Korean beauty traditions, this oil is often used to promote skin elasticity, smoothness, and overall rejuvenation, making it a preferred ingredient in natural cosmetic and personal care products.
Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (CSA)
Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (CSA), also known as Cetearyl Alcohol, is a blended fatty alcohol consisting primarily of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohols. It appears as white to pale yellow waxy flakes or pellets with a mild fatty odor. CSA is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier. It enhances texture, improves stability, and provides a smooth, velvety skin feel in formulations. Being a non-ionic surfactant, it also aids in stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions and is favored for its gentle nature on the skin and hair.
Coffee Butter
Coffee Butter is a natural, plant-derived fat extracted primarily from the coffee seed pulp or coffee cherry, sometimes from the coffee bean itself. It is a creamy, pale yellow to light brown solid at room temperature with a mild coffee aroma. Coffee Butter is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, making it a valuable ingredient in cosmetics, skincare, and specialty food products. Known for its emollient, moisturizing, and antioxidant properties, Coffee Butter helps to nourish and protect the skin while providing a pleasant sensory experience. It is gaining popularity as a sustainable by-product of coffee processing, contributing to zero-waste initiatives.
Dimethicone Silicon Oil
Dimethicone Silicon Oil, also known as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or silicone oil, is a clear, odorless, and non-volatile silicone-based polymer widely used for its lubricating, anti-foaming, water-repellent, and skin-conditioning properties. It is a linear silicone polymer composed of repeating dimethylsiloxane units. Dimethicone exhibits excellent thermal stability, chemical inertness, and low surface tension, making it highly versatile in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care, industrial, and food applications. It is available in various viscosities, from very low to high viscosity oils, enabling tailored formulations.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, originally derived from petroleum refining. It is odorless, colorless (or slightly yellow), and known for its moisturizing, protective, and lubricating properties. Widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications, Petroleum Jelly forms a barrier on the skin that locks in moisture and protects against irritants. The 175kg packaging is typical for bulk industrial or large-scale cosmetic use.

Preservatives(food)
Flavor Enhancers
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
Biochemical Reagents
Inorganic and Organic Standards
Laboratory Safety Chemicals
Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
Demulsifiers
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Scale Inhibitors(oil)
Surfactants(oil)
Drilling Fluids
Dyes and Pigments
Bleaching Agents
Softening Agents
Finishing Agents
Antistatic Agents
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
Fragrances
Electronic Chemicals
Catalysts
Lubricants
Photographic Chemicals
Refrigerants
Automotive chemicals
Pyrotechnic Chemicals
Biodegradable Surfactants
Bio-based Solvents
Renewable Polymers
Carbon Capture Chemicals
Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Pigments
Solvents(paint)
Specialty Coatings
Binders/Resins
Additives
Driers
Anti-Corrosion Agents
Functional Coatings
Application-Specific Coatings
Fresh Herbs
Ground Spices
Whole Spices
Spice Blends
Dried Herbs
Leavening Agents
Dough Conditioners
Flour Treatments
Fat Replacers
Decoratives
Preservatives(baking)
Plasticizers & Softeners
Reinforcing Agents
Adhesion Promoters
Vulcanizing Agents
Antidegradants
Blowing Agents
Fillers & Extenders
Accelerators & Retarders