INCI page

ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE

Last update on Apr 24, 2026

Isopropyl myristate is the ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid. It mainly works as an emollient in cosmetics and personal care products. It has an oily base with low viscosity and adapts well to the skin.

CAS Number: 110-27-0Chem/IUPAC Name: Tetradecanoic acid, isopropyl esterEINECS/ELINCS No: 203-751-4COSING REF No: 34699

Products with ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE

See all products

With samples available

Bentone Gel® IPM V

by Elementis

INCI: ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE | PROPYLENE CARBONATE

Sustainable option
Support available
Original documents

See the product

Waglinol 250 M

by Industrial Quimica Lasem S.A.U

INCI: CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE

Sustainable option
Original documents

See the product

PALMESTER 1514 Isopropyl Myristate

by KLK OLEO

INCI: ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE

Sustainable option

See the product

What is ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE used for?

Isopropyl myristate is a texture enhancer and emollient as used in cosmetics. It can also help to enhance the absorption of ingredients in a cosmetic formula.

Skin care: It works as an emollient, thickener, and a lubricant in beauty products. It locks in the hydration, and enhances the penetration of other ingredients in the formulation. Isopropyl myristate is an effective agent for solubilizing lanolin. Therefore, isopropyl myristate is used as a solubilizing, spreading, and penetrating agent in anhydrous skin lubricating lotions with high lanolin content. It leaves the skin soft and smooth without an oily surface film. It can even reduce the heavy, greasy feel in products with high oil content. It's also fast-spreading meaning that it gives the formula a good, nice slip
Hair care: It works as a hydrating agent, emollient, and enhancer. It hydrates the hair and the scalp and enhances the penetration of other ingredients in the formulation. It is not recommended for particularly thin hair, as it can make it appear greasy, or an oily scalp or hair, as it can lead to clogged pores

Origin

Isopropyl myristate is commercially produced by distillation, before which the esterification of myristic acid and isopropanol is carried out, and the resulting alkali is refined to neutralize the catalyst, and the product is then distilled to obtain isopropyl myristate.

What does ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE do in a formulation?

EMOLLIENT|

PERFUMING|

SKIN CONDITIONING|

VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Safety Profile

Isopropyl myristate is determined safe for use in cosmetics according to the Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR) panel. It is generally regarded as a non-toxic, non-irritant material with low systemic absorption potential. The ingredient is resistant to oxidation and does not become rancid under normal storage conditions. On the EWG Skin Deep® database, IPM carries a low-to-moderate hazard score. The primary formulator consideration is its high comedogenic index (rated 5/5), which may cause pore blockage in acne-prone individuals; use in facial leave-on products for oily or blemish-prone skin should be carefully evaluated.