Isopropyl Myristate (IPM)

Isopropyl Myristate (IPM)

1-Hexadecanol (Cetyl Alcohol) Powder
1. Specification: 98.0% – 102.0% (on dried basis)
2. Sample: Sample Available
3. Test method: GC / Titration (Acid value, Hydroxyl value) / Melting point
4. Synonyms: Cetyl alcohol, Cetanol, Hexadecyl alcohol, Palmityl alcohol, 1-Hexadecanol
5. Appearance: Fine, free‑flowing white waxy powder or pearlescent flakes; faint characteristic odor
6. Particle size: >95% pass 40 mesh (powdered form)
7. MOQ: 1 KG
8. Package: 1kg/foil bag, 25kgs/fiber drum (lined with polyethylene)
9. Certificate: HACCP, ISO 22000, HALAL, GMP, Kosher, RSPO (sustainable palm oil) available
10. Molecular Formula: C₁₆H₃₄O
11. CAS number: 36653-82-4
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Description

 

Isopropyl Myristate (IPM)

If Isopropyl Palmitate is a lightweight runner, Isopropyl Myristate (IPM) is a sprinter.

IPM is the shortest and lightest of the common isopropyl esters. With a molecular weight of only 270.45 g/mol, it spreads faster, penetrates slightly deeper, and leaves a drier, more "powdery" feel than almost any other emollient. It's the ingredient that makes your sunscreen vanish into the skin, your foundation glide on like silk, and your body lotion feel like you applied nothing at all.

Chemically Speaking: IPM is the isopropyl alcohol ester of myristic acid (a 14‑carbon saturated fatty acid, commonly derived from coconut or palm oil). Extremely low viscosity (4–6 cP - thinner than water), highly lipophilic, and rapidly spreading.

The "Featherlight" Family

Ester Carbon Chain MW Viscosity Skin Feel
Isopropyl Myristate (IPM) C14 270.5 Extremely low Dry, powdery, nongreasy
Isopropyl Palmitate (IPP) C16 298.5 Very low Dry, light, slightly softer
Ethylhexyl Palmitate C16 (branched) 368.6 Low Slightly oily, soft
Cetyl Palmitate C16 (wax) 480.8 Solid (wax) Waxy, heavy
📦 Format Note: Isopropyl Myristate is a clear, colorless to pale yellow oily liquid - not a powder.
⚠️ Comedogenic Warning: IPM has a comedogenic rating of 4–5 (out of 5). It has a high tendency to clog pores in acne‑prone individuals. Avoid in facial products for oily/acne‑prone skin. Use in body lotions, sunscreens, and rinse‑off products instead.

Specification: 98.0% – 102.0% (GC area %)
Sample: Sample Available
Test method: GC / Acid value / Saponification value
Synonyms: IPM, Isopropyl tetradecanoate, Myristic acid isopropyl ester, Crodamol IPM (trademark)
MOQ: 1 KG  |  Package: 1kg/aluminum bottle, 5kg/plastic drum, 25kgs/steel drum
Certificate: HACCP, ISO 22000, HALAL, GMP, Kosher, RSPO available
Molecular Formula: C₁₇H₃₄O₂  |  CAS: 110-27-0

P1
Product Characteristics
 
💧

Appearance

Clear, colorless to pale yellow oily liquid; faint characteristic odor.
⚗️

Purity

≥98% (GC) - extremely low impurities.
🌊

Viscosity

4 – 6 cP at 25°C - thinner than water.
⚖️

Specific Gravity

0.850 – 0.855 (lighter than water).
📊

Saponification Value

205 – 215 mg KOH/g - confirms ester identity.
🏭

GMP Manufacturing

Esterification of myristic acid with isopropyl alcohol; distilled and deodorized.

Benefits of Isopropyl Myristate (IPM)

 

01Ultra‑Fast Spreading

With viscosity of only 4–6 cP (thinner than water), IPM spreads instantly across the skin. Ideal for sunscreens, foundations, and serums where rapid, even coverage is essential.

02Dry, Powdery, Non‑Greasy Feel

Leaves almost no oily residue. Creates a "dry touch" sensation - the go‑to for matte sunscreens and weightless body oils.

03Excellent Solvent for UV Filters

Dissolves organic sunscreens (octinoxate, avobenzone, oxybenzone) better than simple oils. Prevents crystallization, ensures film uniformity.

04Penetration Enhancer

Slightly disrupts the stratum corneum lipid barrier, allowing other ingredients to penetrate more deeply. Useful for topical drug delivery.

05Lightweight Emollient

Softens the skin by filling micro‑cracks without sealing it. Non‑occlusive - ideal for "dry touch" formulations.

06Excellent Oxidative Stability

Saturated ester (iodine value ≤1.0) - does not oxidize or go rancid. Shelf life of 36+ months under proper storage.

Application Fields

Skincare & Cosmetics (Primary Market): Sunscreens (5–15% IPM), foundations & BB creams (3–8%), light body lotions (3–10%), dry body oils/sprays (20–50%), lipsticks & lip glosses (5–20%), makeup removers (10–20%), serums (1–3%), shower gels & body washes (1–3%).
Pharmaceutical: Topical corticosteroid creams/ointments, transdermal drug delivery vehicles, emollient bases for dermatological preparations.
OEM Finished Products: Dry touch sunscreen SPF 30, weightless face serum, silky foundation, dry body oil spray, lightweight face oil - full custom manufacturing available.

Production Process

Production process of Isopropyl Myristate

Product Quality Advantage

≥98% Purity – High-quality emollient ester.

Extremely Low Viscosity – 4–6 cP, spreads like water.

Low Acid Value – ≤0.2 mg KOH/g (minimizes irritation).

Low Free Isopropanol – ≤0.02% (no drying alcohol smell).

RSPO Certified Available – Sustainable sourcing options.

cGMP Certified – Full traceability and documentation.

Esterification Facility
Quality Control Lab

Annual Capacity: 1,500 Tons | 15+ years of cosmetic raw material expertise

Professional ODM/OEM Services

We provide full OEM/ODM manufacturing for finished products using IPM as a key emollient.

① Finished Skincare & Cosmetics
Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 30 (10% IPM): Matte finish, excellent UV filter dispersion.
Weightless Face Serum (5% IPM): Fast‑absorbing, non‑greasy daily serum.
Silky Foundation (8% IPM): Smooth application, blends easily, no streaking.
Dry Body Oil Spray (30% IPM): Weightless, fast‑absorbing, non‑sticky.
IPP + Squalane Lightweight Face Oil: For dry skin without the heavy feel.

② Formulation Support
Viscosity adjustment, emollient blending, sunscreen dispersion optimization, RSPO certification documentation.

③ Additional Services
Third‑party certification (Kosher, HALAL), regulatory documentation (EU Cosmetic Regulation, FDA OTC monograph for sunscreens).

Export Certificates

Certificates HACCP ISO HALAL GMP Kosher RSPO

Why choose us

XI'AN LANDNUTRA CO., LTD. – Your Trusted Manufacturer of Antioxidant & Functional Ingredients. Rooted in Quality, Driven by Expertise, Committed to Health and Excellence.

Strong Production Capability: Annual capacity 1,500 tons. 15+ years experience, own facility.
Leading Service: ONE-STOP OEM/ODM from pre-sales to after-sales.
Quality Assurance: CQC-certified enterprise, purity embedded in every process.
Broad Market: Botanical Extracts, Cosmetic Ingredients, Functional Ingredients.

15+ years of cosmetic raw material sourcing. cGMP‑certified facilities. Full in‑house OEM/ODM capabilities for sunscreens, foundations, and dry oils. RSPO certified supply chain. Batch‑specific COA including acid value, saponification value, GC purity, and heavy metals. Technical support for formulation (sunscreen dispersion, emollient selection).

FAQ

Q1: Is isopropyl myristate safe for skin?
A: Yes - for most skin types. Non‑toxic, non‑irritating (at typical use levels), and non‑sensitizing. FDA considers it safe (GRAS). However, it has a comedogenic rating of 4–5, so it will clog pores in acne‑prone individuals. Patch test before full facial use.
Q2: Does isopropyl myristate cause acne?
A: Yes - it can. IPM is one of the most comedogenic cosmetic ingredients. It mimics human sebum triglycerides, over‑hydrating the follicle and trapping dead skin cells. Avoid IPM in facial products for oily/acne‑prone skin. Use in body products, sunscreens, and rinse‑off products instead.
Q3: What's the difference between isopropyl myristate and isopropyl palmitate?
A: IPM (C14) - lighter, spreads faster, more volatile, more comedogenic (rating 4–5). IPP (C16) - slightly heavier, spreads slightly slower, slightly less comedogenic (rating 3–4). Choose IPP over IPM for acne‑prone skin. Choose IPM for maximum spreadability (sunscreens, foundations).
Q4: Is isopropyl myristate natural?
A: No - semi‑synthetic. Myristic acid can be derived from natural sources (palm, coconut, nutmeg), but esterification is a chemical process. Ecocert does not consider IPM "natural." Check with your certifier.
Q5: Is isopropyl myristate vegan?
A: Yes - if derived from vegetable sources (palm, coconut) and not from animal tallow. Our standard grade is vegetable‑derived. No animal products.
Q6: What concentration should I use in my formula?
A: Sunscreen: 5–15%; Foundation: 3–8%; Light body lotion: 3–10%; Dry body oil: 20–50%; Lipstick: 5–20%; Facial serum (normal/dry): 1–3%; Facial products for oily/acne‑prone: 0% (avoid entirely).
Q7: Is isopropyl myristate greasy?
A: No - it has a "dry" feel. One of the least greasy emollients. Spreads rapidly, leaves almost no oily residue. The go‑to for "dry touch" sunscreens.
Q8: Can isopropyl myristate be used in lip products?
A: Yes - common in lipsticks, glosses, and balms. Reduces waxy, heavy feel of beeswax. Use at 5–20%.
Q9: Is isopropyl myristate safe during pregnancy?
A: Yes - topical use at cosmetic concentrations is considered safe. Very low systemic absorption. No known teratogenic effects.
Q10: What is the shelf life of isopropyl myristate?
A: 36 months in original sealed container under cool, dry conditions (≤25°C, ≤60% RH). Saturated ester - does not oxidize easily. For cosmetics, replace after 24–36 months.
Q11: Can isopropyl myristate be used in anhydrous (oil‑only) formulas?
A: Yes - blends perfectly with jojoba, squalane, fractionated coconut oil, mineral oil. Use to lighten heavier oils.
Q12: Why does my isopropyl myristate sometimes smell faintly of alcohol?
A: Residual isopropyl alcohol from synthesis. Our high‑purity grade has ≤0.02% free isopropanol (barely detectable). Strong alcohol smell indicates low quality - discard.

 

Test Item Specification Test Result Conclusion
Appearance Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid Conforms Pass
Assay (GC) ≥98.0% 99.4% Pass
Acid Value ≤1.0 mg KOH/g 0.2 mg KOH/g Pass
Saponification Value 205 – 215 mg KOH/g 209 mg KOH/g Pass
Iodine Value ≤1.0 g I₂/100 g 0.3 g I₂/100 g Pass
Water Content (KF) ≤0.1% 0.02% Pass
Free Isopropanol ≤0.1% 0.02% Pass
Heavy Metals (as Pb) ≤10 ppm <2 ppm Pass
Total Plate Count ≤100 cfu/g <10 cfu/g Pass

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