How we scored it
Isostearic acid (branched C18, oleochemical) acyl 267.5 Da + ethanol (fermentation) fragment; condensation water excluded → 312.5/312.5 = 1.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.
Where it comes from
Made by esterifying isostearic acid, a branched fatty acid produced from vegetable oleic acid, with ethanol, which is predominantly fermentation-derived globally. A minority petrochemical (ethylene-based) ethanol route exists.
In plain English
A lightweight ester made by combining isostearic acid, a branched fatty acid from vegetable oil, with ethanol. Used as a skin-softening emollient that gives creams and lotions a silky, non-greasy feel.
Structure
ethyl 16-methylheptadecanoate
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2Ethyl Isostearate. PubChem CID 5317251. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
- 3ETHYL ISOSTEARATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 4ETHYL ISOSTEARATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ETHYL%20ISOSTEARATE