Fatty acids are used as oily bases and emulsifiers in skincare formulas.
There are a bunch of fatty acids you’ll find in carrier oils, the two you should focus on to determine the feel of an oil are oleic acid and linoleic acid.
Oleic acid makes oils feel richer and heavier, so they’re more occlusive. A small list of oils high in oleic acid include:
- olive oil
- safflower oil
- almond oil
- avocado oil
- and others
Linoleic acid makes oils feel lighter and thinner (relatively speaking). It can also make an oil feel more astringent and “dry”. These are perfect for combination – oily skin types. A small list of oils high in linoleic acid include:
- passion fruit oil/maracuja
- sesame seed oil
- seabuckthorn oil
- grapeseed oil (astringent)
- castor oil (astringent)
- and others
An interesting read on fatty acids in wound repair & prevention: The usefulness of topical application of essential fatty acids (EFA) to prevent pressure ulcers. Source
- Mentioned in: 1-3-Bis (N-2-(Hydroxyethyl) Palmitoylamino)-2-Hydroxy Propane
- Mentioned in: 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid
- 100% Pure Organic Cucumber Juice Renewal Serum
- Mentioned in: açaí
- Mentioned in: Aleurites Moluccanus Ethyl Ester
- Mentioned in: Algaeoyl Phytosphingosine
- Allergies & Skincare Ingredients Cheat Sheet
- Mentioned in: almond oil
- Mentioned in: Almond/Borage/Linseed/Olive Acids/Glycerides
- Mentioned in: alpha hydroxy acid
- Mentioned in: aluminum pca
- Mentioned in: Amaranthus hybridus
- Mentioned in: Anionic Surfactants
- Mentioned in: apricot kernel oil
- Mentioned in: apricotamide DEA
- Arcona The Eyes Have It Regenerate PM
- Mentioned in: argan oil
- Mentioned in: Arginine Lauroyl Glutamate
- Aubrey Organics Blue Green Algae With Grape Seed Extract Facial Cleansing Lotion
- Aubrey Organics Blue Green Algae with Grape Seed Extract Moisturizer SPF 15
- Aubrey Organics Green Tea & Ginkgo Facial Cleansing Lotion
- Aubrey Organics Green Tea & Ginkgo Moisturizer SPF 15
- Aubrey Organics Natural Herbal Maintenance Oil Balancing Moisturizer
- Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Rose Hip Moisturizing Cream
- Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn & Cucumber With Ester-C Moisturizing Cream
- Aubrey Organics Seaware With Rosa Mosqueta Facial Cleansing Cream
- Aubrey Organics Vegecol With Aloe Facial Cleansing Lotion
- Aubrey Organics Vegecol With Aloe Moisturizing Cream
- Mentioned in: Babassu Acid
- Mentioned in: babassuamide
- BCL AHA Wash Cleansing
- BcomBIO Nourishing Moisturizing Cream
- Mentioned in: Behenyl/Isostearyl Beeswax
- Mentioned in: beta-sitosterol
- Bio-Essence Deep Cleanser
- Mentioned in: biotin
- Mentioned in: Bis-Peg-12 Dimethicone Beeswax
- Mentioned in: Bis-Peg-12 Dimethicone Candelillate
- Mentioned in: Black Currant
- Mentioned in: black seed oil
- BomBIO Gentle Exfoliating Face Cream
- Mentioned in: borage seed oil
- Mentioned in: Borago Officinalis Ethyl Ester
- Mentioned in: bupleurum falcatum
- Mentioned in: Butylene Glycol Montanate
- Mentioned in: Butyloctyl Candelillate
- Mentioned in: Butyloctyl Cetearate
- Mentioned in: c10-18 triglycerides
- Mentioned in: C10-40 Isoalkyl Acid
- Mentioned in: C14-28 Alkyl Acid
- Mentioned in: C18-30 Acid Glycol Ester
- Mentioned in: C18-36 Acid
- Mentioned in: C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester
- Mentioned in: C20-40 Acid
- Mentioned in: C30-50 Acid
- Mentioned in: C32-36 Isoalkyl Stearate
- Mentioned in: C40-60 Acid
- Mentioned in: Camellia Japonica Gamma-Lactone
- Mentioned in: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Mentioned in: Ceramide Ag
- Mentioned in: Ceramide Eos
- Mentioned in: Ceramide Np
- Mentioned in: Cetearyl Candelillate
- Mentioned in: Cetyl Babassuate
- Mentioned in: Cetyldimethylamine Hydrolyzed Hempseedate
- Mentioned in: chalumogra oil
- Mentioned in: cherry blossom
- Mentioned in: chia seed
- Mentioned in: Cholesteryl Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Cholesteryl Macadamiate
- Mentioned in: Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
- Mentioned in: Citrus Grandis Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
- Mentioned in: clary extract
- Clinique Acne Solutions Night Treatment Gel
- Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Night Treatment Gel
- Mentioned in: cloudberry
- Mentioned in: Coco-Oleate Estolides
- Mentioned in: Coco-Rapeseedate
- Mentioned in: Coco/Shea Butter Glycerides
- Mentioned in: coconut oil
- Mentioned in: Cornamide/Cocamide Dea
- Mentioned in: cranberry seed oil
- Mentioned in: Datem
- Mentioned in: Decyl Hempseedate
- Mentioned in: Decyl Jojobate
- Mentioned in: Dicocoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
- Mentioned in: Diethylaminoethyl Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Diethylene Glycol/Hydrogenated Dimer Dilinoleic Acid Copolymer
- Mentioned in: Dihydrogenated Palmoyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
- Mentioned in: Dihydrogenated Palmoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
- Mentioned in: Dimethicone Peg-7 Avocadoate
- Mentioned in: Dimethicone Peg-7 Olivate
- Mentioned in: Dimethicone Peg-8 Avocadoate
- Mentioned in: Dimethicone Peg-8 Olivate
- Mentioned in: Dimethiconol Illipe Butterate
- Mentioned in: Dimethiconol Mohwa Butterate
- Mentioned in: Dipalmoylisopropyl Dimonium Methosulfate
- Mentioned in: Disoyoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
- Mentioned in: donkey milk
- Mentioned in: echium plantagineum
- Mentioned in: emu oil
- Mentioned in: Ethiodized Oil
- Mentioned in: Ethyl Almondate
- Mentioned in: Ethyl Apricot Kernelate
- Mentioned in: Ethyl Arganate
- Mentioned in: Ethyl Balanites Roxburghii Seedate
- Mentioned in: Ethyl Olivate
- Mentioned in: Ethyl Persate
- Mentioned in: Ethyl Wheat Germate
- FutureDerm 7 Wonders Antioxidant-Rich Toner
- FutureDerm Vitamin C Eye Cream 10.0
- Mentioned in: Gadus Morrhua Liver Oil
- gloTherapeutics Cyto-luxe Body Lotion
- Mentioned in: Glycereth-17 Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Glyceryl Olivate Oleate Estolides
- Mentioned in: Glyceryl Tripalmate/Palm Kernelate/Olivate/Macadamiate/Rapeseedate
- Mentioned in: glycine soja (soybean) seed extract
- Mentioned in: Glycol Dipalmate/Palm Kernelate/Olivate/Macadamiate
- Mentioned in: Glycol Ditallowate
- Mentioned in: grapeseed oil
- Mentioned in: green tea oil
- Mentioned in: Helianthus Annuus Seed Acid
- Mentioned in: Hexanediol Beeswax
- Mentioned in: Hydrogenated Isopropyl Jojobate
- Mentioned in: Hydrogenated Tallow Acid
- Mentioned in: Isobutyl Tallowate
- Mentioned in: Isopropanolamine Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Isopropyl Avocadate
- Mentioned in: Isopropyl Babassuate
- Mentioned in: isopropyl isostearate
- Mentioned in: Isosorbide Dicaprylate/Caprate
- Mentioned in: Isosorbide Disunflowerseedate
- Kristina Holey x Marie Veronique BARRIER LIPID COMPLEX
- L'Occitane Immortelle Very Precious Eye Serum
- Mentioned in: Lanolinamide Dea
- Mentioned in: lauric acid
- Mentioned in: Lecithin
- Mentioned in: linoleic acid - fatty acids
- Mentioned in: linolenic acid
- Mentioned in: Linseed Acid
- Mentioned in: maca root
- Mentioned in: macadamia nut
- Mentioned in: Magnesium Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Magnesium Tallowate
- Mama Mio Love Your Life Lines High Protein Deep Line Reducer
- Mentioned in: mango
- Mentioned in: marula oil
- Mentioned in: Meadowfoam Delta-Lactone
- Mentioned in: Menthyl Safflowerseedate
- Mentioned in: Methyl Glucose Sesquicocoate
- Mentioned in: Methylsilanol Tri-Peg-8 Glyceryl Cocoate
- Mentioned in: mimosa tree bark
- Mentioned in: Monoglycerides/Diacetyl Tartarate Esters
- Mentioned in: moringa
- Mentioned in: Myristyl Theobroma Grandiflorum Seedate
- Natessance Organic Argan Oil
- Natessance Organic Coconut Nourishing Oil
- Naturally Serious Hydra Plumping Mask
- Mentioned in: Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dipelargonate/Dicaprate
- Mentioned in: Octyldodecyl Meadowfoamate
- Mentioned in: Octyldodecyl Olivate
- Mentioned in: Octyldodecyl Shea Butterate
- Mentioned in: Olea Europaea Oil Unsaponifiables
- Mentioned in: oleic acid - fatty acids
- Mentioned in: Oleyl Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Olive Acid
- Mentioned in: Olus Oil
- Mentioned in: Palm Acid
- Mentioned in: palmitoleic acid
- Mentioned in: palmitoyl oligopeptide
- Mentioned in: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4
- Paula's Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
- Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray with 2% Salicylic Acid
- PAULA'S CHOICE Clinical Ceramide-Enriched Eye Cream
- Paula's Choice Daily Replenishing Body Cream
- PAULA'S CHOICE Omega+ Complex Serum
- Paula's Choice Peptide Booster
- Paula's Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid
- Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser
- PCA Skin C-Strength 20% with 5% Vitamin E (pHaze 16+)
- Mentioned in: pea extract
- Mentioned in: peach
- Mentioned in: Peanut Acid
- Mentioned in: Peg-10 Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Peg-10 Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Peg-10 Tallate
- Mentioned in: PEG-100 Stearate
- Mentioned in: Peg-12 Tallate
- Mentioned in: Peg-14 Tallate
- Mentioned in: Peg-15 Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Peg-15 Jojoba Acid
- Mentioned in: Peg-15 Tallate
- Mentioned in: Peg-20 Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Peg-20 Sorbitan Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Peg-20 Tallowate
- Mentioned in: Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate
- Mentioned in: Peg-4 Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Peg-4 Olivate
- Mentioned in: Peg-5 Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Peg-5 Tallate
- Mentioned in: Peg-6 Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Peg-7 Lanolate
- Mentioned in: Peg-8 Avocadoate
- Mentioned in: Peg-8 Cranberriate
- Mentioned in: Peg-8 Raspberriate
- Mentioned in: Peg-8 Tallate
- Mentioned in: Peg-9 Borageate
- Mentioned in: Peg-9 Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Peg-9 Grapeseedate
- Mentioned in: Peg-9 Oliveate
- Mentioned in: PEGs
- Mentioned in: Pentaerythrityl Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Pentaerythrityl Tetra C5-10 Acid Esters
- Mentioned in: Pentaerythrityl Tetracocoate
- Mentioned in: perilla seed oil
- Mentioned in: Persea Gratissima Oil
- Mentioned in: Phosphatidic Acid
- Mentioned in: Phosphatidylglycerol
- Mentioned in: phospholipids
- Mentioned in: Phytosteryl Macadamiate
- Mentioned in: Phytosteryl Rice Branate
- Mentioned in: Poloxamer 184 Camellia Sinensis Seedate
- Mentioned in: polyglyceryl-3 beeswax
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate/Isostearate/Dimer Dilinoleate Crosspolymer
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-4 Hazelseedate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-6 Adansonia Digitata Seedate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-6 Apricot Kernelate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-6 Citrullus Lanatus Seedate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-6 Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernelate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-6 Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernelate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-6 Sclerocarya Birrea Seedate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-6 Trichilia Emetica Seedate
- Mentioned in: Polyglyceryl-6 Ximenia Americana Seedate
- Mentioned in: Polypentaerythrityl C5-10 Acid Esters
- Mentioned in: polysorbates
- Mentioned in: portulaca oleracea
- Mentioned in: Potassium Borageate
- Mentioned in: Potassium Castorate
- Mentioned in: Potassium Cornate
- Mentioned in: Potassium Hempseedate
- Mentioned in: Potassium Laurus Nobilate
- Mentioned in: Potassium Peanutate
- Mentioned in: Potassium Safflowerate
- Mentioned in: Potassium Tallate
- Mentioned in: Potassium Tsubakiate
- Mentioned in: Ppg-10 Jojoba Acid
- Mentioned in: Propylene Glycol Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
- Mentioned in: Propylene Glycol Soyate
- Mentioned in: Propylene Glycol Soyate
- Mentioned in: pumpkin
- Mentioned in: Rapeseed Acid
- Mentioned in: rice bran
- Mentioned in: Rice Bran Acid
- Rilastil MICRO Eye Contour Cream
- Rilastil MICRO Moisturizing Fluid
- Rilastil MICRO Nourishing Cream
- Mentioned in: rosehip oil
- Mentioned in: royal jelly
- Mentioned in: Sacha Inchi
- Mentioned in: safflower oil
- SBT Seabuckthorn Berry Cream
- Mentioned in: Sesamum Indicum Oil Unsaponifiables
- Mentioned in: Shark Liver Oil
- Mentioned in: shea butter
- Mentioned in: Shea Butteramide/Castoramide Dea
- Mentioned in: Silicone Quaternium-22
- Mentioned in: Sodium Avocadoate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Beeswax
- Mentioned in: Sodium Castorate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Cocoa Butterate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Cocomonoglyceride Sulfonate
- Mentioned in: sodium cocoyl glycinate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Lardate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Macadamiaseedate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Mangoseedate
- Mentioned in: sodium methyl cocoyl taurate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Olivate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Palmate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Rapeseedate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Safflowerate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Shea Butterate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Soyate
- Mentioned in: Sodium surfactin
- Mentioned in: Sodium Tamanuseedate
- Mentioned in: Sodium Theobroma Grandiflorum Seedate
- Mentioned in: Sorbeth-2 Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Sorbitan Cocoate
- Mentioned in: sorbitan ester
- Sothys Hydroptimale THI3 Comfort Hydrating Creme
- Mentioned in: Soy Acid
- Mentioned in: stearic acid
- Mentioned in: Stearyl Cerotate/Carnaubate
- Mentioned in: stearyl glycyrrhetinate
- Mentioned in: Sucrose Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Sucrose Mortierellate
- Mentioned in: Sucrose Polysoyate
- Mentioned in: sunflower oil
- Mentioned in: Sunfloweramide Mea
- Mentioned in: Tallol
- Mentioned in: Tallol
- Mentioned in: Tallow Acid
- Mentioned in: tamanu oil
- Mentioned in: Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil
- Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence
- The Body Shop Hemp Hard Working Foot Protector
- Mentioned in: tribehenin
- Mentioned in: Tridecyl Cocoate
- Mentioned in: Trimethylolpropane Tricocoate
- Mentioned in: Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
- Mentioned in: tsubaki oil
- Mentioned in: wheat germ
- Mentioned in: Zea Mays Oil