Isopropyl Myristate (IPM)

CAS NUMBER:-110-27-0

Myristic Acid is a fatty acid that occurs naturally in some foods. Purified Myristic Acid occurs as a hard, white or faintly yellow, glossy crystalline solid, or as a white or yellow-white powder. Salts of Myristic Acid (Aluminum Dimyristate, Aluminum Isostearates/Myristate, Aluminum Myristate, Aluminum Myristates/Palmitates, Calcium Myristate, Magnesium Myristate, Potassium Myristate, Sodium Myristate, Zinc Myristate) and esters of Myristic Acid (Butyl Myristate, Cetyl Myristate, Decyl Myristate, Ethylhexyl Myristate, Ethyl Myristate, Glyceryl Dimyristate, Glyceryl Isostearate/Myristate, Glyceryl Myristate, Isobutyl Myristate, Isocetyl Myristate, Isodecyl Myristate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isostearyl Myristate, Isotridecyl Myristate, Lauryl Myristate, Methyl Myristate, Myristyl Myristate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Oleyl Myristate, Propylene Glycol Myristate, Tetradecyloctadecyl Myristate, Tridecyl Myristate) may also be used in cosmetics and personal care products. Myristic Acid and its salts and esters may be used in eye makeup, soaps and detergents, hair care products, nail care products, shaving products and other skin care products. Isopropyl myristate is a polar skin moisturizer that is used to enhance skin penetration of drugs. Isopropyl myristate is a moisturizer with polar characteristics used in cosmetics and topical medical preparations to ameliorate the skin absorption A synthetic oil, isopropyl myristate is made up of isopropyl alcohol—a propane derivative—and myristic acid, a naturally-occurring fatty acid, explains Palep. While it’s not necessarily a solo skincare star that you’ll find touted as a hero ingredient, it’s a popular cosmetic ingredient in a wide array of beauty products, found in everything from aftershave to anti-perspirants to anti-aging creams. Why so popular? First, there are the formulation benefits. “By thickening formulas, it gives products a denser texture and also improves the overall texture of those with a high oil content to be silky rather than greasy,” says Palep. And while that’s a major win for the labs and scientists making your beauty products, it does have skincare benefits for you, too. Softens the skin: As an emollient, it helps soften and smooth dry skin, which is why this is a choice ingredient for those with dry or flaky skin.
Enhances the penetration of other ingredients: According to Belkin, the exact mechanism by which this works isn’t fully clear, but it’s thought that isopropyl myristate changes the structure of the stratum corneum, the most external layer of the skin, making it easier for active ingredients to absorb. In turn, this can make the skincare you’re using more effective.
Improves product texture: This benefit doesn’t relate exactly to the skin, but isopropyl myristate can make skincare products have that lush, creamy, but not oily feel, according to Palep.