What Is Aluminum Myristates/Palmitates?
Aluminum myristates/palmitates is a blend of aluminum salts made from two fatty acids that occur naturally in plants and animals, myristic acid and palmitic acid. When these acids are reacted with a small amount of aluminum, they form a fine, white powder that is oil friendly yet not water soluble. This special balance makes the ingredient useful in many personal care formulas.
The cosmetic world first explored aluminum soaps like these in the mid-20th century when chemists were looking for ways to thicken creams without making them greasy. Over time, formulators noticed that aluminum myristates and palmitates could not only add body to a product but also keep pigments evenly dispersed. Today the ingredient is manufactured by combining purified myristic and palmitic acids with aluminum hydroxide under controlled heat and pH. The final powder is filtered, dried and milled to a specific particle size for smooth blending.
You will most often find aluminum myristates/palmitates in pressed powders, foundations, sunscreens, cream blushes, matte lipsticks, facial masks, antiperspirant sticks, and some rich moisturizers that need to stay creamy yet stable on the shelf.
Aluminum Myristates/Palmitates’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This multitasking powder offers several technical perks that help a formula look, feel and perform better.
- Anticaking – Keeps loose or pressed powders from clumping so they pour or glide on evenly
- Emulsion stabilising – Helps oil and water stay mixed over time, cutting down on separation in creams and lotions
- Opacifying – Adds a soft blurring effect that hides minor skin flaws and gives products a creamy, non-see-through look
- Viscosity controlling – Thickens low-body formulas, giving creams, sticks and pastes the right firmness without a heavy or waxy feel
Who Can Use Aluminum Myristates/Palmitates
Because this ingredient is oil friendly yet non greasy it tends to sit well on most skin types. Dry, oily, combination and normal skin usually tolerate it without trouble. Highly sensitive or eczema-prone skin could react to the aluminum portion, so those users may want to proceed cautiously.
The fatty acids used to make aluminum myristates/palmitates can be sourced from plants or animals. Many suppliers offer a plant-derived version made from coconut or palm oils, in which case the ingredient is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Anyone avoiding animal derivatives should look for a clear “plant sourced” note from the manufacturer or brand.
Current safety reviews have not flagged topical aluminum myristates/palmitates as a risk for pregnant or breastfeeding women when used in normal cosmetic amounts. Still, this is not medical advice and anyone who is pregnant or nursing should run any skin care products past a doctor to be safe.
The ingredient does not make skin more sensitive to sunlight so there is no special need for extra sun protection beyond the usual daily SPF recommendation.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Reactions to aluminum myristates/palmitates vary from person to person. The points below outline potential side effects although most users experience none when the ingredient is properly formulated and used as directed.
- Mild skin irritation or redness
- Contact dermatitis in individuals with aluminum sensitivity
- Temporary clogged pores or breakouts in very acne-prone skin when used in heavy formulas
- Eye or lung irritation if loose powder is inhaled during application
If you notice any of the issues above stop using the product and seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 2/5
While myristic and palmitic acids on their own sit higher on the comedogenic scale, turning them into aluminum salts reduces their ability to melt into skin oils and block pores. In most formulas aluminum myristates/palmitates is present at low levels and stays dispersed in the product matrix, so it is only mildly pore clogging. Most breakout-prone users can tolerate it, especially in rinse-off or powder products, but very acne-sensitive individuals might still notice congestion if it appears high on an ingredient list or in rich creams. Its powdery nature also means it is less occlusive than straight fatty acids, further lowering its comedogenic impact.
Summary
Aluminum myristates/palmitates thickens, stabilises, mattifies and keeps powders flowing thanks to its unique oil-friendly yet water-repelling structure. It builds viscosity by forming a loose network in oils, keeps pigments evenly suspended and lends a soft-focus opacity that blurs skin imperfections.
The ingredient is a quiet workhorse rather than a headline grabber. You will see it tucked into many pressed powders, foundations and sticks, but it rarely features in marketing claims.
Current safety reviews rate it as low risk for topical use with irritation or allergy appearing only in sensitive cases. As with any new product you try, do a patch test first to make sure your skin plays well with the full formula.