What it is
This is vegetable oil that has been hydrogenated to convert unsaturated fatty acids into saturated ones, producing a more solid, oxidatively stable fat. In sunscreen products it serves as an emollient and as a structuring agent that thickens emulsions and helps form solid stick and balm bases. The saturation improves shelf stability compared with the parent oil.
Safety & warnings
It is widely used and generally considered low-irritant and low-allergen. Being a heavy saturated lipid, it can feel occlusive and may not suit very oil-prone or breakout-prone skin, though its comedogenicity depends on the specific oil source.
Origin & sourcing
Plant derived, from common vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated to harden them and increase stability.
Questions everyone asks
Why is vegetable oil hydrogenated for cosmetics?
Hydrogenation hardens the oil and makes it more stable against oxidation, so it works well as a thickener in sticks and balms.
What role does it play in a sunscreen?
It acts as an emollient and structuring agent, conditioning skin and adding firmness and body to the formula.