Hydrogenated palm glycerides, the hardened glycerol esters of fatty acids from palm oil, are used in cosmetic formulations. They act as emollients (makes the skin supple and smooth), emulsifiers (changes the interfacial tension of liquids such as water and oil so that they can be mixed together), surfactants, skin care products and stabilizers (stabilizes the resistance and shelf life of ingredients or formulations). "Hydrogenated" means treated with hydrogen (hydrogenated or cured).