Dicetyl Phosphate works miraculously in cosmetic products to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions and keep formulations from falling apart. It gives a rich, creamy texture to a wide range of products and is responsible for controlling their thickness. Additionally, Dicetyl Phosphate provides a mild cleansing action by mixing impurities and oil present on the skin or scalp with water and washing them away. It is strong enough as a standalone ingredient, but can be combined with other emulsifiers for greater effectiveness. Also termed as DCP, Dicetyl Phosphate appears as solid white flakes in its raw form and has the chemical formula C32H67O4P.
Products with DICETYL PHOSPHATE
With samples available
Crodafos™ CES
by Croda
- Sustainable option
KeraTint™ EZ
by Croda
- Sustainable option
SP KeraTint™ EZ MBAL
by Croda
- Sustainable option
What is DICETYL PHOSPHATE used for?
Dicetyl Phosphate is a potent supporting ingredient in the beauty industry, playing a major role in keeping products intact and enhancing their sensory appeal.
In skin care: Dicetyl Phosphate provides a rich, silky elegance to creams and lotions by stabilizing the oil- and water-based ingredients present in them. It helps enhance the texture of skin care products and evenly distributes active ingredients throughout the product. It also aids smooth spreadability and uniform application. Additionally, Dicetyl Phosphate aids with gentle cleansing of the skin.
In hair care: Dicetyl Phosphate plays a very important role in hair care products as it helps keep conditioning agents and oils evenly dispersed in water-based formulas. It gives shampoos, conditioners, and masks a light, non-greasy texture - ensuring products coat hair strands evenly without buildup. Dicetyl Phosphate can be combined with other surfactants to improve foam stability and provide creamier lather.
Origin
Dicetyl Phosphate is made by reacting cetyl alcohol (a fatty acid derived from vegetable oils) and phosphoric acid. This ingredient can be plant- or animal-derived. But for modern cosmetics, plant-based raw materials are preferred. Crude Dicetyl Phosphate is further neutralized and purified for use in cosmetics. As per the requirement, it is standardized into a fine powder, granule, or a waxy solid form.
What does DICETYL PHOSPHATE do in a formulation?
EMULSIFYING|
SURFACTANT|
CLEANSINGSafety Profile
Dicetyl Phosphate is safe for topical use in cosmetics. It is non-irritating and non-sensitizing at recommended concentrations. It is also non-comedogenic and can be used on oily or acne-prone skin. Its gentle and non-allergenic nature allows it to be widely used in both rinse-off and leave-on products. However, a patch test must be performed before full application, especially on sensitive skin. Additionally, Dicetyl Phosphate is biodegradable and has a low environmental risk.
DICETYL PHOSPHATE alternatives
DICETYL PHOSPHATE technical profile
| Property | Values |
Boiling Point | 600.4°C ± 38.0°C (decomposes) |
Melting Point | 74°C - 75°C |
Solubility | Insoluble in water; dispersible in oil |