Database/Skin Conditioning/Hexyldecyl Isostearate
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Hexyldecyl Isostearate natural?

It depends. The value depends on whether the hexyldecanol was built from natural or petrochemical fatty alcohol; the isostearic acid half is natural oleochemical.

INCI nameHexyldecyl Isostearate
CAS69247-84-3
FormulaC34H68O2 · 508.9 Da
FunctionSkin Conditioning
Feedstockhexyldecanol (Guerbet alcohol, natural or petrochemical) esterified with…

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
hexyldecanol from natural fatty alcoholhexyldecanol made by Guerbet dimerisation of coconut/palm-kernel-derived fatty alcohol, esterified with isostearic acid1.00common for cosmetic gradesEvery atom of the ester is natural origin
hexyldecanol from petrochemical fatty alcoholhexyldecanol made from Ziegler/oxo (ethylene-derived) fatty alcohol, esterified with isostearic acid0.53also commercialOnly the isostearic acid fragment (267.5 Da of 508.9 Da) is natural origin
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Guerbet alcohols are route-dependent by site policy (see Octyldodecanol). Ester 508.9 Da = hexyldecanol fragment 241.4 Da + isostearic acid acyl 267.5 Da. Natural-alcohol route: 1.0; petrochemical-alcohol route: 0.53.
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

hexyldecanol (Guerbet alcohol, natural or petrochemical) esterified with isostearic acid.

In plain English

An emollient ester made by joining a branched fatty alcohol, hexyldecanol, to branched isostearic acid, both built from natural fatty-acid feedstocks. Gives creams and lotions a light, non-greasy feel.

Natural alternatives with the same function

Abelmoschus Esculentus Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract made from okra pods, used to condition skin in cosmetic formulas. Produced by extracting the fruit,…

 Abelmoschus Manihot Flower Extract 100% natural origin

A flower extract from a hibiscus relative, used to condition and soothe skin. Made by extracting the flowers…

 Abies Alba Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of the European silver fir (Abies alba), a conifer from the mountains of Europe. It is…

 Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract 100% natural origin

An extract from shikakai fruit, a plant traditionally used in Indian hair and skin care. It conditions skin…

 Acacia Dealbata Flower Extract 100% natural origin

An extract of mimosa flowers used to help condition skin. Made by extracting compounds from the fragrant yellow…

 Acacia Dealbata Flower Wax 100% natural origin

A soft wax from mimosa flowers used to condition skin and add emollience. It is derived directly from…

Structure

2D structure of Hexyldecyl Isostearate

2-hexyldecyl 16-methylheptadecanoate

PubChem CID 42606389 ↗

References

  1. 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.
  2. 2Hexyldecyl Isostearate. PubChem CID 42606389. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3HEXYLDECYL ISOSTEARATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4HEXYLDECYL ISOSTEARATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=HEXYLDECYL%20ISOSTEARATE