Potassium cetyl phosphate is a chemical compound, an alkyl phosphate, a complex mixture of phosphoric acid esters and cetyl alcohol that shares a central phosphate structure and is soluble in both polar and non-polar solvents. It is the potassium salt obtained by chemical reaction from phosphoric acid and the cethyl alcohol.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Potassium indicates the presence of the potassium ion (K+). Potassium is an alkali metal used in cosmetics and other applications for its ability to neutralize acids.
• cetyl refers to cetyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol with 16 carbon atoms in its chain. It's often used in cosmetics for its emollient and conditioning properties.
• phosphate indicates the presence of a phosphate group. Phosphates are salts or esters of phosphoric acid and are used in various products for their buffering properties or as conditioning agents.

Raw Materials Used in Production.

The primary raw materials for producing Potassium cetyl phosphate are cetyl alcohol and phosphoric acid, which are reacted together in the presence of a potassium solution.

Step-by-step Summary of Industrial Production Process.

• Preparation of raw materials.
• Reaction of cetyl alcohol with phosphoric acid in the presence of a potassium solution to form the cetyl salt of the phosphate.
• Neutralization. If necessary, the reaction can be neutralized to achieve the desired pH of the finished product.
• Separation. The product is separated from impurities and reaction byproducts.
• Purification. The Potassium cetyl phosphate is purified through appropriate methods.
• Drying. The product is dried to remove any remaining solvents or water.

Potassium cetyl phosphate appears in the form of a white powder. 

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Used mainly in cosmetics as an emulsifier and cleaning agent.

Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities. 

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.

Commercial Applications

Cosmetic Industry. Potassium cetyl phosphate is widely used as an emulsifying agent in skin and hair care products. It assists in stabilizing and forming emulsions by combining water and oil phases in a product.

Skin Care Products. Found in creams, lotions, and serums where it improves the consistency and spread of the product on the skin.

Hair Care Products. Used in shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments for its conditioning ability and to enhance product texture.

Most significant studies

The main aims of the present study were to formulate an anti-age cream based on vegetal ingredients and ferulic acid and to evaluate the physical characteristics and the efficacy of the cream. An anti-age cream containing herbal active ingredients and ferulic acid with appropriate physical characteristics was obtained. In vivo study of clinical efficacy revealed a positive effect on skin density, which increased after 8 weeks of cream application (1).

Humectant and occlusive technologies have traditionally been used for the treatment of dry skin. Originally, non-lamellar-forming ingredients were used such as petrolatum but recent research has shown the advantage of using lamellar-forming ingredients such as ceramides, pseudoceramides and phospholipids in the relief of dry skin. The evaluation of a novel complex of lipophilic ingredients was of interest: cetyl alcohol, isostearyl isostearate, potassium cetyl phosphate, cetyl behenate and behenic acid. The combination of all these ingredients was shown to be more effective than any single component in water vapour transmission rate studies (2).

• Molecular formula: C₁₆H₃₄KO₄P
• Molecular weight: 360.51
• CAS:    84861-79-0    19035-79-1
• EC number:   284-374-2   242-768-1

Synonyms:

Abstract. Background and aims: The main aims of the present study were to formulate an anti-age cream based on vegetal ingredients and ferulic acid and to evaluate the physical characteristics and the efficacy of the cream....Conclusions: An anti-age cream containing herbal active ingredients and ferulic acid with appropriate physical characteristics was obtained. In vivo study of clinical efficacy revealed a positive effect on skin density, which increased after 8 weeks of cream application.

(2) Pennick G, Chavan B, Summers B, Rawlings AV. The effect of an amphiphilic self-assembled lipid lamellar phase on the relief of dry skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2012 Dec;34(6):567-74. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2012.00749.x. 

Abstract. Humectant and occlusive technologies have traditionally been used for the treatment of dry skin. Originally, non-lamellar-forming ingredients were used such as petrolatum but recent research has shown the advantage of using lamellar-forming ingredients such as ceramides, pseudoceramides and phospholipids in the relief of dry skin. Nevertheless, the importance of using lipid-phase transition inducers, such as long-chain fatty acids, has not been studied clinically. The evaluation of a novel complex of lipophilic ingredients was of interest: cetyl alcohol, isostearyl isostearate, potassium cetyl phosphate, cetyl behenate and behenic acid. The combination of all these ingredients was shown to be more effective than any single component in water vapour transmission rate studies. This was thought to be owing to the formation of a unique structural organization of the lipids upon dry-down from an O/W emulsion as was examined by X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. When evaluated clinically in a randomized double-blind and vehicle-controlled moisturization efficacy trial, this novel blend of ingredients was shown to not only improve the visible signs of skin dryness to a significantly greater extent than a comparable mineral oil-containing vehicle but also then maintain a better skin condition during the regression no-treatment phase of the study. This combination of ingredients offers a new technology option for the treatment of dry skin. © 2012 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.