Ingredient · dataset v56
Cetyl Palmitate and fungal acne
May trigger · Moderate evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Explicit row (previously reached the palmitate-ester entry by fuzzy): a C16 alcohol esterified to palmitic acid.
Explicit row.
Evidence strength
Moderate evidence (2/3)
Function
Fatty ester
Fatty esters: split by the yeast’s enzymes into edible fats.
Checked products with this ingredient (1)
Product types: Antifungal treatments
Antifungal treatments (1)
Products without this ingredient
- Uriage Bariederm Cica Daily Gel-Cream
- Dr. Song 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Advanced Acne Gel
- Paula's Choice All Over Hair & Body Shampoo
- Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash
- Acure Dry Shampoo, Non Aerosol, Clean, 100% Vegan 1.7 oz Travel Size
- RCMA Makeup The Original No-Color Powder
Related fatty ester
- Ascorbyl Palmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Behenyl Acrylate — May trigger · Limited evidence
- Behenyl Behenate — 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
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 Cetyl Palmitate trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (moderate 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 Cetyl Palmitate feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Cetyl Palmitate as a potential trigger (moderate 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?
Moderate evidence: Explicit row (previously reached the palmitate-ester entry by fuzzy): a C16 alcohol esterified to palmitic acid.
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 Cetyl Palmitate →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.