Ethylhexyl Palmitate: Comedogenic Rating & Safety Profile
Also known as: Octyl Palmitate · 2-Ethylhexyl hexadecanoate
A synthetic ester from palm oil and 2-ethylhexanol. Lightweight emollient with a dry, powdery finish — but rated 4/5 comedogenic in patch tests.
Quick facts about Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Moderate Risk
0 = won't clog pores · 5 = highly pore-clogging
Safe
0 = inert · 5 = often irritating
Emollients
Yes — generally safe
Yes
Octyl Palmitate, 2-Ethylhexyl hexadecanoate
Quick verdict
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is a emollient with a moderate risk comedogenic profile (4/5) and safe irritancy (0/5). A synthetic ester from palm oil and 2-ethylhexanol. Lightweight emollient with a dry, powdery finish — but rated 4/5 comedogenic in patch tests.
What is Ethylhexyl Palmitate?
Ethylhexyl palmitate (also called octyl palmitate) is a synthetic ester combining 2-ethylhexanol with palmitic acid. It is a lightweight emollient that gives foundations, primers and dry-touch lotions their characteristic silky, powdery finish. It is exceptionally stable and doesn't go rancid — making it a workhorse in colour cosmetics and sunscreens.
Comedogenic Rating: What 4/5 Means for Your Skin
Ethylhexyl palmitate is rated 4/5 comedogenic. Despite its elegant skin feel, the fatty-acid structure clogs follicles in acne-prone skin much like isopropyl palmitate and isopropyl myristate. People with no acne tendencies usually tolerate it well in formulated products.
Benefits for skin
- Excellent slip and silky finish in foundations and primers
- Stable shelf-life — won't go rancid
- Carrier for fat-soluble actives like Vitamin E
Potential side effects & who should avoid it
Ethylhexyl palmitate has very low irritancy (0/5) and allergy is essentially unreported. The main risk is acne flare-ups in pre-disposed skin.
Best for
- Dry body skin
- Mature skin (low frequency)
Avoid if
- Acne-prone facial skin
- Combination skin
- Oily skin
- Fungal acne sufferers
How to use Ethylhexyl Palmitate safely
If you are acne-prone, scan ingredient lists for ethylhexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate and myristyl myristate — these all behave similarly. Choose products that use lighter alternatives like dimethicone or squalane.
Commonly found in
Ethylhexyl palmitate is in liquid foundations, BB and CC creams, sunscreens, body lotions and makeup primers.
Found Ethylhexyl Palmitate in your skincare?
Paste the full ingredient list into our INCI Analyser to see how this ingredient interacts with everything else in the formula.
Frequently asked questions
Is ethylhexyl palmitate comedogenic?
Is ethylhexyl palmitate safe for sensitive skin?
Can I use ethylhexyl palmitate every day?
What can I use instead of ethylhexyl palmitate?
Other emollients to know
Shea Butter
A rich, vitamin-packed plant butter from the African shea tree. Deeply emollient and softening, it's a classic ingredient for dry, mature and sensitive skin.
Isopropyl Myristate
A synthetic ester used to give products a dry, non-greasy slip. Despite its pleasant feel, it is one of the most pore-clogging ingredients in cosmetics.
Capric Triglyceride
A lightweight, refined fraction of coconut and palm fatty acids. Despite its origin, it is far less comedogenic than whole coconut oil.
Ceramides
Lipid molecules that make up roughly 50% of the skin's outer barrier. Topical ceramides replace what's lost through ageing, over-cleansing or inflammation.
Want the full picture on pore-clogging ingredients? Read our complete guide to comedogenic ingredients for the dermatology research behind the 0–5 scale and the full list of high-risk ingredients to avoid.
Sources
Written by ScanSkinAI Cosmetic Science Team · Last updated June 2026
This information is for educational purposes only. Always patch-test new products and consult a dermatologist if you have specific skin concerns.