How we scored it
Palmitic acid esterified with C16/C18 fatty alcohols; both natural, condensation water lost, so 1.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.
Where it comes from
Dominant route esterifies palmitic acid with cetearyl alcohol, both oleochemicals from palm or coconut oil. Petrochemical Ziegler fatty alcohols exist, so a supplier note applies.
In plain English
A waxy emollient ester that softens skin and hair and gives creams a smooth, cushioned feel. It is made from palmitic acid and cetyl/stearyl fatty alcohols, normally from palm or coconut oil.
CosIng definition: Hexadecanoic acid, C16-18-alkyl esters
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2CETEARYL PALMITATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3CETEARYL PALMITATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=CETEARYL%20PALMITATE