Isopropyl Myristate, IPM 98%, 1000 ml

Isopropyl Myristate (IPM 98 %)

Isopropyl Myristate is a light ester for the oil phase that reduces the greasy film in creams, lotions and oils and speeds up absorption. In formulations it acts as an emollient and carrier: it softens the skin, spreads easily and dissolves oil-phase components that would otherwise be harder to incorporate.

The ester of myristic acid and isopropyl alcohol has a low viscosity and belongs to the basic raw materials for adjusting the skin feel of creams, lotions and body oils. It is supplied in cosmetic and pharmaceutical grade with a purity of 98 %.

Key benefits

• Drier skin feel – reduces the heavy, greasy impression of vegetable oils and butters, making it suitable for products intended for quick absorption.
• Spreadability – low viscosity makes it easier to apply cream or oil over a larger body area.
• Carrier for oil-phase components – miscible with oils and alcohol, helping to incorporate fragrance compositions, essential oils and oil-soluble actives.
• Easy processing – added directly to the oil phase without pre-mixing or special preparation.
• Wide range of applications – rinse-off and leave-on products, from face creams to deodorants to shower oils.

Use in formulation

Added to the oil phase at a usage level of 1 – 20 %. The lower end of the range acts as a skin-feel modifier in creams and lotions, replacing part of the vegetable oil and lightening the texture. The upper end makes sense in body and massage oils, dry spray oils or deodorants where fast absorption is required.

The processing temperature should remain below 80 °C, which corresponds to standard hot emulsification. For anhydrous products it is blended in cold.

In hair care it acts as a carrier in oil serums for hair ends and scalp treatments, where the lighter texture weighs hair down less. In decorative cosmetics it is used in liquid foundations, lip balms and makeup removers, where it helps dissolve pigments and waxy components.

Suitable for products such as

• Creams and body lotions – lighter texture, faster absorption.
• Body and massage oils – reduced greasiness, better glide during massage.
• Deodorants and antiperspirants – carrier in sticks and roll-on products with an oil base.
• Lip balms – softening the texture of wax-based balms.
• Cleansing oils and balms – dissolving decorative cosmetics.
• Shower oils and bath preparations – rinse-off products with an oil phase.
• Hair serums and oils – light carrier for hair-end care.

What is good to know

Isopropyl Myristate belongs to the polar esters, so it dissolves many oil-phase components better than triglyceride oils. In anhydrous products this helps keep fragrance compositions and lipophilic actives evenly dissolved. At higher usage levels the viscosity of the oil phase decreases, which in creams can be compensated by adjusting the amount of consistency agents such as cetyl alcohol or Glyceryl Stearate.

In combination with waxes and butters, the ester softens the final texture. In balms and sticks it is therefore recommended to check hardness and melting point on a small test batch before producing a larger quantity.

Compared to Isopropyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate has a slightly lower viscosity and a lighter feel; otherwise they are used similarly and are often interchangeable. The choice depends on the desired skin feel and how long the product should remain perceptible on the skin.

The ingredient is readily biodegradable, suitable for normal and dry skin and for both rinse-off and leave-on products.

Frequently asked questions