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Retinyl palmitate

Retinyl palmitate suppliers and sourcing guide

Retinyl palmitate is the ester of retinol and palmitic acid, made by esterifying synthetic retinol. It is a pale yellow oily liquid or soft solid that is more stable than retinol but still sensitive to air, light and heat. The same material is sold into foods and supplements as a vitamin A source; cosmetic buyers usually purchase it as a concentrate stated in IU per gram, often already containing BHT or tocopherol.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
vitamin A palmitate · retinol palmitate · retinyl hexadecanoate · CAS 79-81-2
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of retinyl palmitate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • High-potency concentrate

    Oily concentrate sold by IU per gram, typically with stabilizers. The potency on the COA, not the product name, sets the use level.

  • Diluted oil grades

    Retinyl palmitate cut into a vegetable oil or triglyceride at a lower IU per gram, easier to weigh accurately in small batches.

  • Dry powder or beadlets

    Retinyl palmitate spray-dried or coated with gelatin, starch or gum acacia carriers, mainly used in foods and supplements.

  • Encapsulated cosmetic grades

    Retinyl palmitate in liposomes or microcapsules for water-based skin care, sold at a stated active percentage.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Potency (HPLC or UV)
Vitamin A content in IU per gram or percent retinyl palmitate by HPLC or UV, with the method named.
Identity
Identity by HPLC retention time or UV spectrum against a reference standard.
Peroxide or acid value
Peroxide value and acid value, which climb as the ester and its oil carrier oxidize.
Stabilizer content
BHT, BHA or tocopherol level where declared, needed for the finished INCI list.
Heavy metals
Lead and other metals by ICP-MS against the supplier specification.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store retinyl palmitate tightly sealed in the original container, protected from light, at the cool or refrigerated temperature the supplier states; many concentrates are packed under nitrogen. Avoid repeated opening and warm rooms, and flush partly used containers with nitrogen. Shelf life comes from the supplier specification and can be extended only by a potency retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Potency varies by lot and drops in storage, so record the IU per gram on each COA and recalculate the batch charge when a new lot is used. Rotate oldest first and retest opened containers held for long periods.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist names retinyl palmitate among the retinol esters restricted to 0.2% total retinol equivalents in leave-on full-body products and 1.0% in other cosmetics.

    Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 184.1930 describes vitamin A palmitate (retinyl palmitate) as the palmitate ester of retinol, prepared by esterifying retinol with palmitic acid, and affirms vitamin A as GRAS as a direct food ingredient.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database says retinyl palmitate in topical natural health products must follow the Hotlist restrictions unless additional evidence for safety is submitted.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Retinyl palmitate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking retinyl palmitate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of retinyl palmitate can brands buy?

Common forms include high-potency concentrate, diluted oil grades, dry powder or beadlets and encapsulated cosmetic grades. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for retinyl palmitate include?

Expect potency (HPLC or UV), identity, peroxide or acid value, stabilizer content and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should retinyl palmitate be stored?

Store retinyl palmitate tightly sealed in the original container, protected from light, at the cool or refrigerated temperature the supplier states; many concentrates are packed under nitrogen. Avoid repeated opening and warm rooms, and flush partly used containers with nitrogen. Shelf life comes from the supplier specification and can be extended only by a potency retest.

What is the regulatory status of retinyl palmitate?

Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist names retinyl palmitate among the retinol esters restricted to 0.2% total retinol equivalents in leave-on full-body products and 1.0% in other cosmetics. 21 CFR 184.1930 describes vitamin A palmitate (retinyl palmitate) as the palmitate ester of retinol, prepared by esterifying retinol with palmitic acid, and affirms vitamin A as GRAS as a direct food ingredient. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database says retinyl palmitate in topical natural health products must follow the Hotlist restrictions unless additional evidence for safety is submitted.

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