Ingredient · dataset v56
Palm Oil and fungal acne
May trigger · Moderate evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Nearly half palmitic acid, Malassezia yeast's favorite food, freed by its fat-splitting enzymes.
Evidence strength
Moderate evidence (2/3)
Function
Oil
Plant oils: triglyceride oils and butters the yeast harvests after its enzymes split them.
Also listed as
Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil
Products without this ingredient
- Purito Oat In Calming Gel Cream
- De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment 10% (Acne Treatment)
- Native Body Wash Cucumber & Mint 18 oz
- Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser
- Fresh Monster Kids Hair Gel, Flexible Hold, No Added Fragrance 6 oz
- NYX Professional Makeup Studio Finishing Powder Translucent
Related oil
- Acai Fruit Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Apricot Kernel Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Argan Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Avocado Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Babassu Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Baobab Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Black Currant Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Borago Officinalis Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate 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 Palm Oil 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 Palm Oil feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Palm Oil 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: Nearly half palmitic acid, this yeast's favorite food, freed by its fat-splitting enzymes.
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 Palm Oil →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.