Palm oil in skincare: the unexpected ingredient

What is palm oil and where does it come from?

Palm oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis). These trees grow in tropical regions near the equator and thrive in hot, humid climates.

Originally native to West Africa, oil palm cultivation has since expanded significantly. Today, plantations are found across more than 40 countries, with Indonesia and Malaysia dominating global production. Together, these two countries account for around 90% of the world’s palm oil supply.

The environmental and ethical challenges of palm oil

Large-scale palm oil production has been closely linked to deforestation in tropical regions. Vast areas of rainforest have been cleared to make way for oil palm plantations, resulting in significant habitat loss for wildlife. This has placed already vulnerable species, including orangutans, tigers, and rhinos, under increasing pressure.

Deforestation associated with palm oil expansion can also have serious social consequences.

Where palm oil is commonly used

Palm oil is used across a wide range of everyday products. According to Greenpeace, it is found in around half of all packaged goods sold in supermarkets. Beyond food, palm oil and palm-derived ingredients are also widely used in household cleaning products, fuels, and personal care items — including skincare, hair care, and make-up.

Palm oil in cosmetics

Palm oil and palm-derived ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and personal care products because of their versatility, stability, and low cost. They help improve texture, performance, and shelf life across a range of formulations.

Skincare

• Moisturisers and lotions: Palm-derived ingredients help blend water and oil phases, create a smooth texture, and leave skin feeling soft and conditioned.
• Cleansers, body washes, and soaps: They contribute to effective cleansing and help create foam and lather.

Make-up

• Lipstick: Helps create a smooth texture and glossy finish.
• Foundation: Improves spreadability and overall application.
• Eyeshadow and blush: Acts as a binding agent, improving texture and wear.

Hair care

• Shampoo: Palm-derived surfactants are commonly used to create foam and cleanse the hair.
• Conditioner: Helps blend ingredients and leaves hair feeling smooth and manageable.

While palm oil and palm-derived ingredients are widely used for these functions, they are not the only option. Alternative plant oils, waxes, and surfactants can be used to achieve similar textures and performance, although they are often more expensive, less readily available, or more complex to formulate with.

Choosing to avoid palm oil in cosmetics is therefore not about necessity, but about formulation priorities - and a willingness to work with alternative ingredients where possible.

How to identify palm oil in skincare products

Identifying palm oil in cosmetics can be challenging. While food labels often list palm oil clearly, skincare and cosmetic products typically use palm-derived ingredients, which can appear under hundreds of different names on ingredient lists.

You can find a comprehensive list of alternative names for palm oil here (© Bev Luff, 2009), but researching every individual ingredient can be time-consuming and confusing.

The simplest and most reliable way to avoid palm oil is to choose products that carry a Certified Palm Oil Free Trademark. Looking for this logo on product packaging allows you to shop with confidence, without needing to decode long INCI lists.

Why choosing palm oil-free skincare matters

Palm oil is widely used in cosmetics, but its environmental and social impacts are important to consider. Choosing certified palm oil-free skincare is one practical way consumers can reduce demand for ingredients linked to deforestation and habitat loss, while supporting more responsible approaches to formulation.

I made the decision to formulate without palm oil from the very beginning, despite the added complexity it brings. My business is now the first skincare company in the world to attain the Palm Oil Free Certification Trademark, which provides independent verification and transparency for customers who want to make informed choices.

This commitment is central to how Amaranthine was founded and how every product is formulated.

Alongside certification and transparency, there is also growing interest in emerging innovations offering alternatives to palm oil, from fermentation-based oils to lab-grown ingredients.

Ultimately, understanding what’s in your skincare - and where those ingredients come from - allows you to choose products that align with your values, without compromising on quality or effectiveness.

If you’d like to see how certified palm oil-free skincare can work in everyday routines, you can explore the full Amaranthine range.