In our reference data, Potassium Myristate can feed Malassezia (fungal acne).
Potassium myristate is a potassium salt of myristic acid (a fatty acid soap) used as an anionic surfactant and emulsifier in facial cleansers and soap-based products. It produces foam and removes oil and debris but raises the product's pH to alkaline levels.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin dryness and tightness | Common | Alkaline soap-based surfactant can strip skin lipids and disrupt the barrier with repeated use. |
Skin irritation | Uncommon | More likely on sensitive or already compromised skin due to elevated pH. |
Allergic or contact dermatitis | Rare | Sensitization to fatty acid soaps is infrequent but reported. |
Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause stinging or redness on accidental ocular contact. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.