Sucrose Palmitate is a chemical compound, the monoester of palmitic acid and sucrose. Alkyl ester of single-chain fatty acids.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Sucrose refers to sucrose, commonly known as table sugar. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose.
• Palmitate refers to palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid. Palmitate in this context indicates that sucrose has been esterified with palmitic acid.

Raw Materials and Their Functions

Sucrose. A disaccharide commonly known as table sugar, used as the base for the production of sucrose palmitate.

Palmitic Acid. A saturated fatty acid used to esterify sucrose, imparting emollient and stabilizing properties to the compound.

Industrial Chemical Synthesis of Sucrose Palmitate

• Esterification of sucrose with palmitic acid. During this reaction, ester bonds are formed between the sucrose and the fatty acid.
• Reaction Control. The esterification reaction is monitored to ensure it occurs correctly and the final product has the desired properties.
• Purification. After the reaction, sucrose palmitate is purified to remove impurities and by-products.
• Quality Control. The purified sucrose palmitate undergoes quality checks to ensure it meets the required standards. After quality control, it is packaged for use in cosmetic and skincare products, where it utilizes its properties as an emulsifier and conditioner.

Form and Color

 Sucrose Palmitate is typically a waxy solid usually white or slightly yellowish.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Skin conditioning agent - Emollient. Emollients have the characteristic of enhancing the skin barrier through a source of exogenous lipids that adhere to the skin, improving barrier properties by filling gaps in intercorneocyte clusters to improve hydration while protecting against inflammation. In practice, they have the ability to create a barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss. Emollients are described as degreasing or refreshing additives that improve the lipid content of the upper layers of the skin by preventing degreasing and drying of the skin. The problem with emollients is that many have a strong lipophilic character and are identified as occlusive ingredients; they are oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce transepidermal water loss. In cosmetics, emollients and moisturisers are often considered synonymous with humectants and occlusives.

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable. Emulsifiers have the property to reduce the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improve emulsion stability and also directly influence the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating their filmometric performance.

CAS: 26446-38-8, 39300-95-3

Commercial Applications

 It is used in a variety of cosmetic and skincare products, such as moisturizing creams, lotions, and makeup products. Sucrose Palmitate is known for its emollient and moisturizing properties, helping to nourish and soften the skin. It is also employed to improve the texture of cosmetic products and as an emulsifying agent to help mix water-based and oil-based ingredients.