ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE

Fragrance Ingredient; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Emollient; PERFUMING

SCORE

	1	low hazard
	92%	data gap
(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

ALKYL (14,16,18) 2-ETHYL HEXANOATE; ELFACOS EHP; 2-ETHYLHEXYL HEXADECANOATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE; HEXADECANOIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER; OCTYL PALMITATE; PALMITIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER; 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER HEXADECANOIC ACID; 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER PALMITIC ACID; 2-ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE; HEXADECANOIC ACID, 2ETHYLHEXYL ESTER

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

This ingredient:
	Cancer
	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
	Violations, restrictions & warnings
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Contamination concerns
	Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
	Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Ecotoxicology, Data gaps
	See products containing ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE

About ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE: Ethylhexyl Palmitate is the ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It conforms generallyto the formula:

ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE has reported used in the following product types: lipstick (251); eye shadow (221); foundation (116); facial moisturizer/treatment (104); sunscreen: makeup (79); lip gloss (75); moisturizer (62); anti-aging (59); lip plumper (57); blush (52)

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

type of concern

product conditions

reference

Human irritant - strong evidence

products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)

Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Ecotoxicology

type of concern	product conditions	reference
Uncertain environmental toxin and uncertain persistent or bioaccumulative		Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

type of concern	product conditions	reference
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product		Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
3 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->		PubMed

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern	product conditions	reference
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful		Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern

product conditions

reference

Not suspected to be persistent

Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List

Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study	appears on list as	classification(s)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments	ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE	•Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments	OCTYL PALMITATE	•Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product •Irritation (eyes, skin, or lungs)
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List	HEXADECANOIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER	•This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for uncertain aquatic toxicity potential.
RTECS^®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1981	ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE	• skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit )

references

government/industry list/academic study	reference
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments	CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List	EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
RTECS^®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 1981	RTECS^®- Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. (London, UK) V.1-19, 1963-81. For publisher information, see FCTOD7. 19,251,1981

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