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ISOAMYL LAURATE

Last update on Jan 16, 2023
Isoamyl laurate is a non-oily, silky, non-greasy emollient that can be used in a variety of skincare, color cosmetic, and hair care applications. It comes from plants and is typically made from coconut or beetroot. It is a naturally occurring, oily liquid that is colorless to yellowish and has received Ecocert approval. It is regarded as a natural silicone substitute. It has a molecular weight of 270.5 and its chemical formula is C17H34O2.
CAS Number: 6309-51-9Chem/IUPAC Name: 3-methylbutyl dodecanoateEINECS/ELINCS No: 228-626-1COSING REF No: 34597

Products with ISOAMYL LAURATE

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Farmofeel™ IL

by Farmoganic

INCI: ISOAMYL LAURATE
  • Sustainable option
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EmolDist IL

by Distil

INCI: ISOAMYL LAURATE
  • Sustainable option
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What is ISOAMYL LAURATE used for?

It is considered safe in cosmetics upto 2% concentration. Body lotion, eye cream, face masks, lip balm, and other personal care items contain the ingredient.
  • Skin care: As a skin conditioner and fragrance component, isoamyl laurate is used in many skincare products. The UV filters in sunscreens and the pigments in cosmetics can both be easily dissolved by it. Without making the skin feel greasy or oily, it aids in softening and moisturising the skin.
  • Hair care: It functions as a hair conditioner in hair care products, making combing the hair easier and preventing buildup. It can also lighten anhydrous formulations.

Origin

It can be made synthetically or can be derived naturally. It is produced synthetically via the classical Fischer type esterification method in which isoamyl alcohol and lauric acid are reacted together to give rise to the ester, isoamyl laurate. Lauric acid is a naturally occuring fatty acid present in high amounts in coconut and palm kernel oil. Isoamyl alcohol is made using byproducts from ethanol fermentation. By reacting the lauric acid from natural sources like coconuts, and isoamyl alcohol obtained from ethanol fermentation, isoamyl laureate is obtained naturally.

What does ISOAMYL LAURATE do in a formulation?

EMOLLIENT|
HAIR CONDITIONING|
MOISTURISING|
SKIN CONDITIONING

Safety Profile

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concludes that isoamyl laurate is safe in the present practices of use and concentration, when formulated to be non-irritating. The panel found that the available data on many of the alkyl esters like isoamyl laurate, and on some of the constituent alcohols and acids, are sufficient, and similar structure-property relationships, biologic characteristics, and cosmetic product usage suggest that the available data, may be extrapolated to support the safety of the entire group of alkyl esters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has included the ingredient on its Safer Chemical Ingredients List.

ISOAMYL LAURATE alternatives

ISOAMYL LAURATE technical profile

Property Values
Boiling Point 311-312°C
Solubility Soluble in alcohol
Insoluble in water