HYDROGENATED LECITHIN

📋 Quick facts

Description: HYDROGENATED LECITHIN — emulsifier, skin conditioning.

All Functions: emulsifier, skin conditioning

Quick Facts:

• Category: emollient

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Hydrogenated Lecithin is a modified form of lecithin, a naturally occurring fat-like substance
• Used in skincare as a skin conditioning agent and to help mix oil and water in formulas
• Generally considered non-irritating and non-sensitizing in animal and human skin tests
• Can form structures called liposomes that may help deliver other ingredients through the skin
• Considered safe in rinse-off products and leave-on products at concentrations up to 15%

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Hydrogenated Lecithin starts as lecithin, a naturally occurring mixture of fat molecules (specifically diglycerides of stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids) attached to a phosphoric acid and choline compound, technically called phosphatidylcholine. The hydrogenation process—controlled addition of hydrogen—modifies this ingredient’s structure (Int J Toxicol, 2001). In skincare formulations, Hydrogenated Lecithin serves multiple purposes: #1: it conditions skin and #2: it acts as an emulsifying agent, helping to blend oil and water-based ingredients together. It can also #3: suspend particles in a formula without acting as a surfactant (Int J Toxicol, 2001). One interesting property is that Hydrogenated Lecithin can form microscopic spherical structures called liposomes when mixed with water.

These hollow spheres have a particular architecture—their fatty tails point inward, away from water—which allows them to #4: potentially capture other compounds inside and help deliver them through the skin barrier (Int J Toxicol, 2001). However, because liposomes may enhance penetration of other ingredients, formulas combining Hydrogenated Lecithin with other ingredients should be carefully designed, especially if those other ingredients aren’t meant to be absorbed (Int J Toxicol, 2001). Typical concentrations in cosmetics range from 0.1% to 1.0%, though some moisturizers use up to 3% (Int J Toxicol, 2001). Safety data shows that Hydrogenated Lecithin and Lecithin were generally non-irritating and non-sensitizing in both animal and human skin studies.

Based on available evidence, both are considered safe for rinse-off products and #5: for leave-on products at concentrations up to 15%, which was the highest concentration tested in clinical studies (Int J Toxicol, 2001). One caveat: these ingredients should not be used in products where they might combine with N-nitroso compounds, as nitrosamines could potentially form (Int J Toxicol, 2001).

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Fiume Z (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of Lecithin and Hydrogenated Lecithin. Int J Toxicol.

🧴 Products Containing HYDROGENATED LECITHIN

• shampoo
• lavera Händchenhalten Handcreme
• lavera Straffende Nachtpflege
• Lavera Body Milk Sensitiv – Lavera
• Lavera, Lavera Naturkosmetik, Laverana Crème Basis Sensitiv
• Essence I love flaw less skin
• Alterra Hydro Tagescreme Bio-Traube & Bio-Weisser Tee
• RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
• Tiger Moon Retinol Night Cream
• Charlotte Tilbury magic eye
• iWHITE instant teeth whitening
• Léa Nature, So’ Bio étic BB cream texture légère perfecteur de teint – 01 beige nude
• Léa Nature So’bio étic Précieux Argan- Sérum éclat anti-age
• Léa Nature Léa nature eau thermale Jonzac
• Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer
• aroma zone Soin neutre Lait végétal
• Lavera Mineral Compact Powder – Ivory 01
• bareMinerals Performance Wear Liquid Foundation
• Clinique Clinique Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator 75 ml
• Origins Ginzing Refreshing eye cream
• HARRY’S Brightening Eye Cream
• It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream Anti-Aging Moisturizer
• Tarte Sugar Rush – Squeezy Clean Face Wash
• Tarte Sugar Rush – Mini Squeezy Clean Face Wash
• Dermaclay Crème Légère Hydratante Eté et Temps Chauds
• Henkel, Diadermine Lift + Lissage immédiat Gel-Crème Sublime Regard
• Labell Shampooing très doux
• L’Occitane en Provence L’occitane En Provence Almond Delicious Hand Cream
• L’OCCITANE en provence Mains à Croquer
• Cerave CeraVe Retinol Serum Tegen Post-Acne Vlekjes
• SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter Ultra Serum
• Bayer Bepanthen Sensicalm
• Bioderma sebium
• Mustela Crème hydratante apaisante visage
• Eau thermake Jonzac Crème visage effet protecteur seconde peau
• Eau thermale Jonzac Crème riche haute tolérance
• Jonzac Jonzac Reactive Bio High Tolerance Light Emulsion 40ML (intolerant Skin)
• Léa Nature, So’ Bio étic BB Cream Mon lait d’Ânesse SPF 10 – 01 beige lumière
• EAU THERMALE JONZAC Reactive CONTROL, Crème miraculeuse HAUTE TOLERANCE
• Lavera Crème hydratante