Waxes, polymers and texture
Emollient Esters
Emollient esters are made by joining a fatty acid to an alcohol. The result is an oil or wax that feels lighter and less greasy than the plant oils it often replaces.
- On a list as
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate · Isononyl Isononanoate · Cetyl Palmitate · Cetyl Acetate · Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate · Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
- What it does
- Emollients: slip and a non-greasy feel
- Where it comes from
- Made from fatty acids and alcohols, usually plant-derived or synthetic
- Vegan?
- Depends on the source
Why it’s in a formula
They give creams, concealers and foundations their slip and a smooth, silky finish, and help pigments spread evenly.
- Cetyl palmitate was once taken from spermaceti, a wax from sperm whales. Cosmetic grades today are made from plant oils or synthetically, though a list can’t say which.
Where you’ll find it at Divina
Read from each piece’s published ingredient list. 7 pieces.
L'Éclat
Lip Gloss
$44
Listed as Cetyl Acetate
Not vegan: lanolin and beeswax, and some shades may contain carmine
Le Teint Nu
Tinted BB Veil — 30ml
$68
Listed as Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate
Cruelty-free; vegan status not confirmed
L'Anticerne
Crème Concealer
$52
Listed as Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetyl Acetate
Not vegan: lanolin (as acetylated lanolin alcohol)
Questions
What is C12-15 alkyl benzoate?
A light, silky emollient ester. It spreads easily, leaves little shine, and helps dissolve other ingredients.
Are emollient esters bad for acne-prone skin?
Some are heavier than others. If you break out easily, judge the whole formula rather than one ingredient, and patch-test.
How we know: every ingredient list on this site is the manufacturer’s own, read piece by piece and shade by shade, and the pieces above are worked out from those lists each time the site is built. Ingredient names and functions follow the EU’s CosIng database. This page describes cosmetic ingredients; it isn’t medical advice.
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