BEHENIC ACID
Behenic acid is a carboxylic acid, a saturated fatty acid with formula C21H43COOH used as a thickener, cleansing agent, and opacifier in cosmetics.
Behenic Acid typically functions as a conditioning agent, thickening agent, surfactant, or opacifier.
Behenic Acid can be used in hair shampoos and conditioners, deodorants, facial cleansers and moisturizers, styling gels, and eye liner.
Its applications include toiletries, transparent soaps and other cosmetic care products.
Also known as docosanoic acid, this ingredient may be plant-derived or synthetic.
Behenic acid, also called docosanoic acid, is an ordinary carboxylic acid, a fatty acid with formula C21H43COOH.
Synonyms of Behenic acid: Docosanoic acid; 1-Docosanoic acid; n-Docosanoic acid, n-Docosanoate, Glycon B-70, Hydrofol Acid 560, Hydrofol 2022-55, Hystrene 5522, Hystrene 9022, Prifrac 2989, C22:0 (Lipid numbers)
EC / List no.: 204-010-8
CAS no.: 112-85-6
Mol. formula: C22H44O2
C22:0
ECHA InfoCard: 100.003.646
Properties of Behenic Acid:
Chemical formula: C22H44O2
Molar mass: 340.592 g·mol−1
Appearance: White solid
Behenic acid is also present in other oils and oil-bearing plants, including rapeseed (canola) and peanut oil.
It’s a significant component of moringa oil and is also found in peanut oil.
The saturated nature of this long-chain (22 carbon molecules) wax-like fatty acid gives it opacifying and texture-enhancing properties.
Behenic acid is sometimes used as an alternative to stearic acid, a decision dependent on desired aesthetics.
Despite this being a saturated fatty acid, its lower molecular weight and affinity for skin enable it to enhance the penetration of other ingredients without posing a risk of irritation.
Although also categorized as a surfactant (cleansing agent), Behenic acid is typically used with pure surfactants to create fatty acid-enhanced oil-gel textures that capably yet gently remove excess oil and long-wearing, more tenacious ingredients.
As a fatty acid, behenic acid is important to help provide a protective barrier against the environment in order to maintain good skin quality.
In skincare, behenic acid has lubricant, emollient, and soothing properties, which help to restore the skin’s natural oils and improve overall levels of hydration. Furthermore, this sebaceous fatty acid is favorably soluble against the skin’s surface, making it a desirable ingredient to infuse into skincare formulas.
In skincare, behenic acid is most commonly used to provide soothing relief for dry and sensitive skin. The sebaceous fatty acids play a role in maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier, thereby improving moisture-retention and enhancing skin-hydration
Behenic acid usage in cosmetics ranges from 0.024–22%.
Products like lipstick that may lead to incidental ingestion may contain up to 14% behenic acid.
All of these amounts are considered safe for the skin.
Regulatory process names
1-Docosanoic acid
Behenic acid
Docosanoic acid
Glycon B-70
Hydrofol 2022-55
Hydrofol Acid 560
n-Docosanoic acid
Trade names
Behenic acid
PALMERA
RADIACID 0557
RADIACID 0559
RADIACID 0560
RADIACID 0562
RADIACID 0565
RADIACID D112
RADIACID D212
Sources of Behenic Acid:
At 9%, it is a significant component of ben oil (or behen oil), which is extracted from the seeds of the drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera).
It is so named after the Persian month Bahman when the roots of this tree were harvested.
Behenic acid is also present in other oils and oil-bearing plants, including rapeseed (canola), peanut oil, and skins.
One ton of peanut skins is estimated to contain 13 pounds (5.9 kg) of behenic acid.
Properties of Behenic Acid:
As a dietary oil, behenic acid is poorly absorbed.
Despite its low bioavailability compared with oleic acid, behenic acid is a cholesterol-raising saturated fatty acid in humans.
Uses of Behenic Acid:
Commercially, behenic acid is often used to give hair conditioners and moisturizers their smoothing properties.
It is also used in lubricating oils and as a solvent evaporation retarder in paint removers.
Its amide is an anti-foaming agent in detergents, floor polishes, and dripless candles.
Reduction of behenic acid yields behenyl alcohol.
Pracaxi oil (from the seeds of Pentaclethra macroloba) is a natural product with one of the highest concentrations of behenic acid and is used in hair conditioners.
Applications of Behenic Acid include sticks, emulsions, sun care, antiperspirants, and pomades.
Formulators can use Behenic Acid in all personal care formulations for emulsifying, thickening, and gelling.
CARBOXYLIC ACID C22
DICARBOXYLIC ACID C22
Docosandioic acid
Eicosanoic acid
Tetracosanoic acid
Docosanoic acid
Behenic acid
112-85-6
1-Docosanoic acid
N-DOCOSANOIC ACID
Hydrofol Acid 560
Hydrofol 2022-55
Glycon B-70
Docosoic acid
Hystrene 5522
Hystrene 9022
Glycon B 70
Prifrac 2989
Behensaeure
Docosansaeure
Dokosansaeure
Docosanic acid
CHEBI:28941
HSDB 5578
Edenor C 22-85R
EINECS 204-010-8
NSC 32364
UNII-H390488X0A
CRODACID B
ORISTAR BA
AI3-52709
C22:0
NSC-32364
H390488X0A
Docosanoic-12,12,13,13-d4 Acid
EXL 5
PRIFRAC 2987
NAA 22S
1219804-98-4
NAA 222S
DTXSID3026930
Docosanoic acid (Chunks or pellets or flakes)
EC 204-010-8
NSC32364
MFCD00002807
FA 22:0
B 95
CH3-(CH2)20-COOH
CH3-[CH2]20-COOH
n-Docosanoate
1-Docosanoate
docosanoyl alcohol
fatty acid 22:0
Behenic acid, 99%
Prifac 2987
Behenic Acid, Technical
Docosanoic acid, ?99%
BEHENIC ACID [MI]
SCHEMBL6579
BEHENIC ACID [INCI]
EXL-5
Behenic acid; Docosanoic acid
DOCOSANOIC ACID [HSDB]
DTXCID306930
CHEMBL1173474
AGP-103
Behenic acid, analytical standard
112-85-6 [RN]
1792887 [Beilstein]
204-010-8 [EINECS]
Acide docosanoïque [French] [ACD/IUPAC Name]
ácido beénico [Portuguese]
behenic acid [Wiki]
Behensaeure [German]
Docosanoic acid [ACD/Index Name] [ACD/IUPAC Name]
Docosansäure [German] [ACD/IUPAC Name]
H390488X0A
MFCD00002807 [MDL number]
n-docosanoic acid
1-Docosanoate
behenate
n-Docosanoate
Prifac 2987
(2,2-2H2)Docosanoic acid
1193721-65-1 [RN]
1193721-67-3 [RN]
16529-65-0 [RN]
1-DOCOSANOIC ACID
22302-43-8 [RN]
29823-26-5 [RN]
505-56-6 [RN]
506-30-9 [RN]
71607-34-6 [RN]
Behenic acid, tech.
behenic acid, technical
behenic acid/docosanoic acid(c22:0)
BEHENIC ACID|DOCOSANOIC ACID
BEHENICACID
Behensaeure
Behnic acid
C22:0
CH3-[CH2]18-COOH
docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexaenoic acid
Docosanic acid
Docosanoic acid (Behenic acid)
docosanoic acid, from rapeseed
Docosanoic Acid|docosanoic acid
DOCOSANOIC-2,2-D2 ACID
Docosanoic-22,22,22-d3 Acid
Docosanoic-d43 Acid
Docosansaeure
docosoic acid
Dokosansaeure
Edenor C 22-85R
EINECS 204-010-8
EINECS 208-031-3
EXL 5
Glycon B 70
Glycon B70
Glycon B-70
HXA
Hydrofol 2022-55
Hydrofol Acid 560
Hystrene 5522
Hystrene 9022
Jsp001002
NAA 222S
NAA 22S
Prifrac 2989
Saturated fatty acid C22
ST5330649
ST5330650
UNII:H390488X0A
UNII-CKJ5537111
UNII-H390488X0A
WLN: QV19
OTHER PRODUCTS OF ATAMAN CHEMICALS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST:
• C1218 ACID
• C610 ACID
• C812 FATTY ACID
• C818 ACID
• CAPRIC ACID (C10)
• CAPROIC ACID (C6)
• CAPRYLIC ACID (C8)
• CAPRYLIC/ CAPRIC ACID (C8C10)
• COCONUT FATTY ACIDS (ALL GRADES/CUSTOM SPECS)
• DISTILLED HARDENED COCONUT FATTY ACID
• ERUCIC ACID (C22:1)
• ISOSTEARIC ACID
• LAURIC ACID (C12)
• LAURIC/ MYRISTIC ACID (C12C14)
• MYRISTIC ACID (C14)
• OLEIC ACID (C18:1)
• PALMITIC ACID (C16)
• STEARIC ACID (C18)
