Behenic Acid

Behenic acid is a C22 saturated fatty acid (docosanoic acid) from plant oils, used as a waxy emollient. It boosts richness, thickens textures, adds slip, and leaves a soft feel in rich creams, balms, and hair conditioners.
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Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A plant-derived fatty acid that thickens creams and softens skin.
Category
Barrier Support, Skin Conditioning
Type
Emollient

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Great

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Softens skin and leaves behind a cushioned, velvety afterfeel. It also reduces dryness by reinforcing a comfortable, occlusive layer on the skin.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Common in body butters, overnight masks, lip color sticks, and deep conditioners, where it gives a plush, cushioned finish.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient has a comedogenic rating of 0. It is considered non-comedogenic and has little to no likelihood of clogging pores.

Safety

Well tolerated and non-irritating for most people. Being a richer lipid, it can feel heavy or occlusive on very oily or breakout-prone skin. It isn't known to cause photosensitivity.

Is Behenic Acid a Good Ingredient?

This fatty acid is a stable, well-studied emollient with a low irritation profile, and it reliably delivers the cushioning and barrier support that earn it a Great rating.

Products with Behenic Acid

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