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Glycol Palmitate

What Glycol Palmitate is & what it does

Glycol Palmitate is the ester of ethylene glycol and palmitic acid, a fatty acid found in many plant and animal sources. In creams and sunscreens it works as an emollient and opacifying agent, giving the product a smooth feel and a pearly, less transparent appearance. It also helps stabilize emulsions by supporting the oil-and-water blend.

What does Glycol Palmitate do in skincare?

Glycol Palmitate acts as an emollient and opacifying agent in creams and sunscreens. It gives products a smooth, conditioned feel and a softer, pearly appearance, and it can help keep oil-and-water emulsions stable.

Is Glycol Palmitate comedogenic?

Glycol Palmitate is a fatty-acid ester, and ingredients in this family vary in how likely they are to feel heavy on skin. Comedogenicity depends on the full formula and the amount used, so a finished product can feel light even when it contains such esters. If you are prone to clogged pores, patch testing and watching how your skin responds is sensible.

Is Glycol Palmitate vegan?

Glycol Palmitate can be made from palmitic acid sourced from either plant oils or animal fats. Because the source varies by supplier, a product is only reliably vegan if the brand states so.

Sunscreens with Glycol Palmitate

We rate 9 sunscreens that contain it:

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