Tribehenin Good Humectant Hydration Tribehenin at a glance Mixture of glycerine + behenic acid that helps prevent moisture loss and conditions skin/hair May also be used as an occlusive agent and “gloss aid for cosmetics” Can be plant-derived or synthetic Deemed safe as a cosmetic ingredient Tribehenin description Tribehenin is a mixture of skin-replenishing glycerine and a fatty acid known as behenic acid that conditions skin and helps prevent moisture loss. Suppliers of this soft wax-like ingredient also suggest it works as an occlusive agent and “gloss aid for cosmetics.” Additionally, it functions as a hair conditioning agent. Tribehenin can be plant-derived or synthetic. The 2017 Cosmetic Ingredient Review assessment of tribehenin looked at personal care products containing 0.002–15% and deemed it was safe in this concentration range. Related ingredients: Glycerin