Sucrose Palmitate

Sucrose palmitate is a sucrose ester of palmitic acid used widely in cosmetic emulsions. It improves phase stability, adds slip and spread, and helps pigments wet evenly in creams, sunscreens, and makeup, without a heavy feel.
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Snapshot

Overview
A sugar-based emulsifier that helps formulas spread smoothly.
Category
Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Type
Emulsifier

Ratings

Overall Rating

Great

Comedogenic Risk

None

Not typically evaluated for comedogenicity — no standardized rating available.

Is Sucrose Palmitate a Good Ingredient?

It earns a Great rating as a nonionic sucrose ester that improves emulsion stability and slip with a typically low irritation profile and good compatibility across formulas. Its reliable performance and texture enhancement make it a versatile choice for creams, sunscreens, and makeup.

Skin Benefits

It improves glide and even pigment laydown for a more uniform look and comfortable wear.

Uses in Skincare & Cosmetics

It's common in foundations, tinted moisturizers, daily sunscreens, and facial creams to improve application consistency.

Safety

It's considered low risk for irritation in most users; very sensitive skin may react if formulations use higher percentages. No widely recognized restrictions apply for standard cosmetic applications.