What it is
Oleic acid is a major fatty acid component of olive, sunflower, and many other plant and animal oils, occurring as a colorless to pale liquid. In cosmetics it conditions and softens skin, helps form and stabilize emulsions, and is used as a building block for many derivative ingredients. It also has a recognized ability to increase the permeability of the skin's lipid layer.
Safety & warnings
Oleic acid is widely used and generally well tolerated, but as a free fatty acid it can be irritating to compromised skin at higher concentrations and is known to enhance penetration of the skin barrier. It is regarded as relatively comedogenic, so acne-prone users may wish to be aware of it in leave-on products. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen.
Origin & sourcing
Natural or natural-derived. It is obtained from the hydrolysis of plant or animal fats and oils that are rich in oleic acid, such as olive and other vegetable oils.
Questions everyone asks
Where does oleic acid come from?
It is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found abundantly in olive oil and many other plant oils, from which it is obtained by splitting the fats.
Can oleic acid clog pores?
It is considered relatively comedogenic, so people who are very acne-prone may want to be aware of it in rich leave-on formulas.