Sodium Palm Kernelate is the sodium salt of the acid derived from palm kernel oil (extracted from the seed of the palm fruit). It's a common ingredient in soaps and is produced through the saponification of palm kernel oil.

Decomposition of the name and function of the components

• Sodium - Indicates the presence of sodium.
• Palm Kernelate - Refers to palm kernel oil ("kernel" meaning "seed" in English).

Description and function of the raw materials used in production

• Palm kernel oil - Extracted from the seed of the palm fruit, it contains a different set of fatty acids than palm oil.
• Sodium hydroxide - A base used in the saponification process.

Summary of the production process

• Saponification - The palm kernel oil is mixed with sodium hydroxide. This reaction yields sodium palm kernelate and glycerin.
• Refining - The soap is then refined to remove impurities and achieve a uniform texture and quality.
• Forming - Once refined, the soap can be molded and cut into the desired shape.

What it is for and where

Cosmetics

Cleansing agent. Ingredient that cleanses skin without exploiting the surface-active properties that produce a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum. 

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.

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. 

Viscosity control agent. It controls and adapts, Increasing or decreasing, viscosity to the required level for optimal chemical and physical stability of the product and dosage in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions. 

CAS   61789-89-7

EC number   263-097-0

Commercial applications

Soaps: A common ingredient in bar soaps, it contributes to their hardness and lathering properties.

Cosmetic and Personal Care Products: It's utilized in various products due to its cleansing properties and foaming capability.

Properties

Cleansing: Aids in removing dirt and impurities from the skin.

Saponifying: Produced through the saponification reaction of palm kernel oil.

Solidifying and Foaming: Adds to the solidity of bar soaps and their foaming capacity.

Like Sodium Palmate, the use of Sodium Palm Kernelate is connected to the palm oil industry, which has faced criticism due to environmental and ethical concerns, particularly deforestation and habitat loss. As a result, there's an increasing demand for sustainably-sourced palm ingredients or alternatives to them in the cosmetic industry.