Myristic acid is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in animal and vegetable fats that is frequently used in cosmetics, soaps, perfumes, and flavorings. It increases LDL cholesterol making it one of the most hypercholesterolemic of the saturated fatty acids. Myristic acid ethyl ester is a more hydrophobic form of the free acid. It is a marker of excessive ethanol consumption that can be isolated from the hair of an individual.