What it is
10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid is a ten-carbon fatty acid bearing a hydroxyl group at the terminal position. It is recognized as one of the characteristic fatty acid constituents associated with royal jelly and is used in skin care as a conditioning agent. It is typically incorporated at low levels as part of a conditioning fatty-acid profile.
Safety & warnings
10-Hydroxydecanoic acid is used at low levels and is generally well tolerated in topical formulations. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen.
Origin & sourcing
It occurs naturally among the fatty acids of royal jelly and can also be prepared synthetically for cosmetic use. The grade used in a given product may be naturally sourced or synthetic depending on the supplier.
Questions everyone asks
Is this ingredient related to royal jelly?
Yes. It is one of the characteristic hydroxy fatty acids found in royal jelly, though it can also be produced synthetically.
How is it different from 10-hydroxydecenoic acid?
This is the saturated decanoic (decane) acid version, whereas 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid contains an additional double bond; they are related but distinct molecules.