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Calcium Behenate

What Calcium Behenate is & what it does

Calcium Behenate is the calcium salt of behenic acid, a long-chain fatty acid. In cosmetic and sunscreen formulas it acts mainly as a viscosity-controlling agent and bulking ingredient, and it can help stabilize emulsions or improve the texture of sticks and creams. As a metallic soap of a saturated fatty acid, it contributes a smooth, slightly waxy feel without adding fragrance or active effects.

Is Calcium Behenate safe?

Calcium Behenate is generally regarded as a low-risk cosmetic ingredient. It is the calcium salt of a naturally occurring fatty acid and is used in small amounts as a texture and viscosity agent. As with any ingredient, people with known sensitivities should review a full product label.

What does Calcium Behenate do in skincare?

In skincare and sunscreen formulas, Calcium Behenate works mainly as a viscosity-controlling and bulking agent. It helps thicken and stabilize creams, sticks, and emulsions and contributes a smooth, slightly waxy feel. It is a formulation aid rather than an active skincare ingredient.

Is Calcium Behenate natural or synthetic?

Calcium Behenate is typically a processed ingredient made by combining behenic acid, a long-chain fatty acid that can come from plant or synthetic sources, with a calcium salt. The starting fatty acid may be plant-derived, but the finished metallic soap is the result of chemical processing.

Sunscreens with Calcium Behenate

We rate 6 sunscreens that contain it:

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