Hexadecyl palmitate (CAS 0540-10-3) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient
Hexadecyl palmitate
CAS 0540-10-3
What Is Hexadecyl palmitate?
Hexadecyl palmitate is a synthetic ester used as a skin-conditioning agent in cosmetics and personal care products. You’ll find it in lotions, creams, and some fragrance bases where it adds emollient properties. While not a primary fragrance ingredient, it serves as a subtle fixative that can help extend the wear of perfumes on skin.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Hexadecyl palmitate Smell Like?
Hexadecyl palmitate is nearly odorless, contributing minimal scent impact to formulations. At high concentrations, it may impart a faint waxy character reminiscent of candle wax or cosmetic bases. Its primary value lies in texture modification rather than olfactive properties, acting as an invisible backbone that subtly modifies how other fragrance materials perform on skin over time.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Hexadecyl palmitate is a diester formed from palmitic acid and cetyl alcohol. As a synthetic wax ester, it mimics compounds found naturally in skin lipids and plant waxes. Industrial production typically involves esterification of the fatty acid with the fatty alcohol under acidic catalysis, followed by purification to remove residual reactants. The molecule’s long hydrocarbon chains (C16 on both acid and alcohol portions) give it high stability and low volatility.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | White waxy solid |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 45-55 °C (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic Bases | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Texture modifier |
| Fragrance Fixative | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Extends longevity |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a base note stabilizer in solid perfumes or wax-based formulations.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Provides similar emollient properties without esterification, though lacks the fixative qualities of the palmitate ester.
A lighter ester with better spreadability but less staying power on skin.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions apply.
RIFM Assessment
Considered safe for current use levels based on analogous ester compounds.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, hexadecyl palmitate production doesn’t depend on agricultural resources. However, its synthesis typically relies on petrochemical feedstocks. Some manufacturers may use bio-based palmitic acid derived from sustainable palm oil sources, though traceability varies. Biodegradability is moderate due to the ester linkage.
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Perfumer’s Notes
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 0540-10-3Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 480.8 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 15.2🔬 PubChem |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | 5.159💻 Calculated |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
