What Is Lithium Myristate?
Lithium myristate is the lithium salt of myristic acid, a fatty acid that naturally occurs in coconut oil, palm kernel oil and some animal fats. When myristic acid is neutralized with lithium hydroxide a white powdery salt forms, known as lithium myristate. Chemists discovered in the mid-20th century that this salt mixes well with both water and oils, making it useful in personal care products. Today manufacturers create it in controlled factory settings by blending purified myristic acid with a measured amount of lithium hydroxide, then filtering and drying the finished salt.
Because of its ability to help oil and water stay blended, lithium myristate shows up in a range of cosmetics. You might find it in creamy face masks, everyday moisturizers, lightweight lotions, some makeup bases and certain rinse-off cleansers where a smooth even texture is key.
Lithium Myristate’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
Its main role is as an emulsifier. By lowering the surface tension between water and oil, lithium myristate keeps formulas from separating so the product feels uniform from the first squeeze to the last. A stable emulsion spreads more evenly on the skin, improves sensory feel and helps active ingredients stay dispersed for reliable performance.
Who Can Use Lithium Myristate
This emulsifier is generally considered suitable for all major skin types including normal, oily, combination and dry skin because it is used at low levels and tends not to interfere with the skin’s natural balance. Sensitive skin usually tolerates it as well, though anyone with a known allergy to lithium salts or fatty acids should be cautious.
Lithium myristate is synthesized from myristic acid and lithium hydroxide in a lab, so it contains no animal-derived material and is therefore appropriate for vegans and vegetarians. Some formulas may pair it with animal-based waxes or other ingredients, so label readers should still check the full ingredient list.
Current research has not identified specific concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding women when lithium myristate is applied topically in cosmetic amounts. This is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should review all skincare products with a qualified healthcare provider to be safe.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it is not considered a photosensitizer. It also does not interfere with common actives like vitamin C, niacinamide or retinoids, making it easy to pair with most routines.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Individual responses to topical lithium myristate can vary. The points below outline potential side effects that could occur, although they are uncommon when the ingredient is used correctly in well-formulated products.
- Mild skin irritation or stinging
- Transient redness
- Dry or tight feeling skin in very sensitive individuals
- Allergic contact dermatitis in those specifically allergic to lithium compounds or myristic acid
- Eye irritation if the product accidentally gets into the eyes
If any of these reactions occur stop using the product and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 2 out of 5. Lithium myristate is the salt form of myristic acid, which on its own can clog pores when used in high amounts. Converting it into a lithium salt reduces its oiliness and lowers its tendency to block pores, but a small risk remains because the fatty portion is still present. In the low concentrations found in most cosmetics this risk is minimal, yet people who break out easily might still notice issues if a formula uses a higher level or combines it with other rich ingredients. Overall it is generally fine for acne-prone skin, though very sensitive or highly reactive users may prefer to avoid it if they have had trouble with other fatty acid salts.
Because lithium myristate is usually paired with lightweight ingredients and sits on the skin only briefly in rinse-off products, its real-world chance of causing pimples is even lower than the rating suggests.
Summary
Lithium myristate acts mainly as an emulsifier, keeping water and oil mixed so lotions, creams and cleansers stay smooth and spread easily. It does this by sitting at the boundary between the two phases, lowering surface tension and locking them together for a stable blend.
The ingredient is not a superstar seen in every product, yet it pops up often enough in both mass and niche formulas because it is reliable, cost-effective and works at low doses.
Safety data show that lithium myristate is well tolerated by most skin types with only rare reports of irritation or allergy. As with any new skincare ingredient, it is smart to patch test a fresh product on a small area first to make sure your skin agrees with it.