The ingredient, explained

Hexyl Nicotinate

Research examined HEXYL NICOTINATE under the stated study conditions.

EmollientAntistatic

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Hexyl nicotinate

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Emollient: Helps soften and smooth the skin surface.
Antistatic: Reduces the build-up of static electrical charge on surfaces.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human topical research

Hexyl nicotinate induced measurable skin blood-flow responses whose onset differed after treatment with two moisturizers.

What this does not tell us

53 volunteers; ingredient used as a vasodilating probe, not a cosmetic-benefit treatment. The study establishes an experimental physiological response and differing susceptibility, not efficacy of hexyl nicotinate or quantitative irritation risk.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 12535286 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Review supplied candidate titles and available abstracts selectively for exact identity; targeted primary PubMed/publisher searches. This is not an exhaustive systematic review.

Review source 1 ↗

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.

Read the 1 selected study

Human topical research · n=53
Differences among moisturizers in affecting skin susceptibility to hexyl nicotinate, measured as time to increase skin blood flow. ↗
Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) · 2003

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