The skin care efficacy and function of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA, CAS: 544-31-0) in Cosmetics

The chemical name Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA CAS: 544-31-0) is derived from the 16-carbon palmitate amide compound. According to the Personal Care Products council (PCPC), Palmitoylethanolamide has the function of "surfactant-foam enhancers, viscosity enhancer - water-based. The Korea Cosmetics Association also introduces the purpose of Palmitoylethanolamide as a surfactant (foam accelerator) and a viscosity enhancer (water-based).

Palmitoylethanolamide is known to indirectly activate Cannabinoid (CB) receptors. The representative cannabinoid receptors are CBR1 and CBR2, among which CBR1 exists mostly in the central nervous system and CBR2 exists in the immune system. Palmitoylethanolamide inhibits inflammation by involving PPAR-a in CBR2. According to patent reference 1(US 6503492 B2), when Palmitoylethanolamide is added to deodorants and sweating inhibition formulations, histamine-induced itching is reduced and IL-6, an indicator of inflammation, is reduced. In addition, according to patent reference 2(US 9623000 B2), Palmitoylethanolamide is added to hydrocortisone for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. As mentioned above, a variety of existing literature has demonstrated that Palmitoylethanolamide has skin calming, pain calming (analgesic), anti-inflammatory, and immune-enhancing effects.