- Comedogenic
- Not rated
- Irritancy
- 1 / 5
- Fungal acne
- Trigger
- Type
- Fatty acid
- INCI name
- Palmitic Acid
- Also listed as
- Hexadecanoic Acid
Who should avoid it?
Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin.
Acne-safe breakdown
Palmitic Acid scores 0/5, so it is one of the ingredients acne-prone skin can use freely, though it is still a fungal-acne trigger. If a product containing it breaks you out, look at the other ingredients. Our scanner will flag them.
Products that contain Palmitic Acid
- CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Lotion
- COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
- PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
- Round Lab Soybean Nourishing Cream
Fungal-acne safe ingredients list
Print the pore-clogging and fungal-acne cheat sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Is Palmitic Acid comedogenic?
Palmitic Acid has no standard rating on the comedogenic scale. It is, however, a fungal-acne trigger. A C16 fatty acid found in many creams and cleansers. It has no standard pore-clogging rating, but it is one of the fatty acids Malassezia yeast can use as food.
Is Palmitic Acid safe for fungal acne?
No. Palmitic Acid can feed Malassezia yeast, so people with fungal acne usually avoid it.
Does Palmitic Acid cause acne?
It is unlikely to. Breakouts usually come from other ingredients in the formula, or from non-cosmetic causes.
What are other names for Palmitic Acid?
On labels it can also appear as Hexadecanoic Acid.