Palm Oil
Also known as: elaeis guineensis oil, palm kernel oil, palm fruit oil, sodium palmitate, palmitate, glyceryl stearate (sometimes palm-derived)
An edible vegetable oil derived from the fruit of oil palms. Palm oil itself has low toxicity and is a versatile cosmetic ingredient. The primary concern is environmental: palm oil production drives massive deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss.
1 = low concern, 10 = avoid
Risk by Usage Frequency
How risk changes depending on how often you use products containing Palm Oil.
No health concern from occasional use.
No significant health concern. Environmental impact is the primary issue.
Health risk is low. Consider the cumulative environmental footprint of heavy palm oil consumption across products.
Health Risks
Low direct health risk. Palm oil is generally well-tolerated and non-irritating on skin.
Processed palm oil may contain 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters, which are potentially carcinogenic when ingested.
EFSA, 2016 — contaminants in palm oil processing
Global Regulatory Status
How palm oil is regulated in cosmetics and personal care products around the world.
Why Brands Use Palm Oil
Extremely versatile and inexpensive. Used as an emollient, emulsifier base, and surfactant precursor. Appears in an estimated 70% of cosmetic products in some derivative form.
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Better alternatives exist. Brands choose palm oil because it's cheap and effective, but safer options like shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil deliver similar results without the health concerns.
Palm Oil in Product Categories
Click a category to see every product containing palm oil in that category, with full ingredient breakdowns.
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Safe Alternatives
What Numbrrrz Uses Instead
Numbrrrz is palm oil-free. Our lip balms use organic coconut oil and organic jojoba oil as their primary plant oils, avoiding the complex palm derivative supply chain entirely.
