Emollient

Isopropyl Myristate

Synthetic emollient with a light texture — isopropyl myristate provides creams and lotions with a characteristic dry skin feel and facilitates application. One of the oldest and most common synthetic esters in cosmetics.

Emollientdry feelSolventLight texture

✕ High Risk

Comedogenic Rating

3/5

Irritation Potential

3/5

What is it?

Isopropyl myristate (IPM) is a synthetic ester of isopropanol and myristic acid (C14). In INCI: Isopropyl Myristate. A colorless liquid with a light texture and minimal odor. A lipophilic solvent and emollient — well dissolves fat-soluble actives and softens the skin without greasiness.

Emollient and solvent in body lotions, creams, decorative cosmetics, and sunscreens. Improves spread and absorption of the formula, dissolves fat-soluble UV filters. Also used as a penetration enhancer for some actives.

Key Benefits

✦

Light dry skin feel

IPM provides a characteristic dry, non-greasy feel after application — no residue or greasiness. Ideal for body lotion and sunscreens where light texture is important.

◈

Solvent for UV filters

Effectively dissolves chemical UV filters (avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene) — making it almost a mandatory component in liquid sunscreen formulas. Enhances the stability of avobenzone when combined with the right stabilizers.

✧

Improved absorption and spread

Reduces the surface tension of the formula and improves its spreadability on the skin. Decreases the feeling of heaviness in rich creams without reducing the content of actives.

Suitable for

Normal skinDry skinBody skin

Main Actions

✓ Emollient✓ Dissolving UV filters✓ dry feel✓ Improved spread

Comedogenicity and acne-prone skin

Isopropyl myristate has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 and may provoke pore blockage in acne-prone individuals. If you react to products with IPM — look for formulas with caprylic/capric triglyceride or jojoba oil as a substitute.

CategoryEmollients

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