Common Name(s): Maleated soybean oil,soy oil malate,maleinized soya oil

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides soy oil emolliency with improved water compatibility from maleate modification.

Why It's Used: Maleic anhydride reacts with the double bonds of soybean oil's unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic) via diels-alder or ene reaction; the resulting succinic acid groups add polarity and water-binding capacity.

How It Works: Maleate groups from maleic anhydride addition provide carboxylic acid functionality adding polarity; improved water compatibility vs native soybean oil; the modified oil has mild amphiphilic character.

Typically Found In: Emollient systems requiring water compatibility,modified oil formulas

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emollient

Secondary Functions: Emulsifying,skin conditioning

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–5%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Soybean oil from glycine max; maleic anhydride from petrochemical; chemically modified natural oil.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low

Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 – low

Sensitivity Concerns: Generally well tolerated.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Good safety profile. ewg score: 1–2.

Works Well With: Other modified oils,emollients,emulsifiers

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Maleation of plant oils is a classical chemical modification to add carboxylic acid groups and improve water compatibility; the diels-alder reaction with conjugated dienes or the ene reaction with isolated double bonds introduces succinic acid functionality.

Last Verified: 2026-03-28

Primary Sources: Cosing database,inci dictionary