Ingredient · dataset v56
Behenyl Behenate and fungal acne
May trigger · Limited evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
A C22+C22 wax ester; solid-at-room-temp is no defense in melted balms, same wax-ester caution as ruled beeswax.
Wax-ester call; not individually feeding-tested.
Evidence strength
Limited evidence (1/3)
Function
Fatty ester
Fatty esters: split by the yeast’s enzymes into edible fats.
Products without this ingredient
- Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel
- Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Selenium Sulfide 1%)
- Medix 5.5 Glycolic + Lactic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash 15 oz
- Eucerin Dermopure Cleansing Gel
- LANE & CO. Baby Hair Gel 4 fl oz
- e.l.f. Cosmetics High Definition Powder Sheer
Related fatty ester
- Ascorbyl Palmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Behenyl Acrylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Bis-Octyldodecyl Dimer Dilinoleate/Propanediol Copolymer — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate — No known trigger
- Butyloctyl Salicylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- C14-22 Alcohols — May trigger · Limited evidence
Sources
- Brunke & Hube 2006 — MfLIP1 extracellular lipase hydrolyses Tweens (Microbiology)
- Mayser et al. 1995 — ester hydrolysis depends on alcohol moiety (Acta Derm Venereol)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Behenyl Behenate trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (limited evidence). That means it belongs to a class the Malassezia yeast is known to feed on — not that every product with it will cause a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
Does Behenyl Behenate feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Behenyl Behenate as a potential trigger (limited evidence). It belongs to a class Malassezia is known to feed on — not a claim that every product with it causes a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
How confident is this call?
Limited evidence: A C22+C22 wax ester; solid-at-room-temp is no defense in melted balms, same wax-ester caution as ruled beeswax.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Behenyl Behenate →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.