Database/Binding/Isopropyl Isostearate
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Isopropyl Isostearate natural?

Mostly. Isostearic acid is a branched natural oleochemical fatty acid; the isopropanol ester group is petrochemical.

INCI nameIsopropyl Isostearate
CAS31478-84-9
FormulaC21H42O2 · 326.6 Da
FunctionBinding · Emollient
FeedstockMade by esterifying natural branched isostearic acid, derived…

How we scored it

Natural isostearoyl C18H35O 267 Da (branched, oleochemical); petrochemical isopropoxy C3H7O 59 Da → 267/327 = 0.82.
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.

How it’s made

Fischer esterification of isostearic acid with isopropanol. Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Made by esterifying natural branched isostearic acid, derived from oleic acid, with petrochemical isopropanol. No natural source of isopropanol is used commercially.

In plain English

A silky emollient that conditions skin without feeling greasy. Most of its weight comes from a natural branched vegetable fatty acid, esterified with a synthetic alcohol.

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Structure

2D structure of Isopropyl Isostearate

propan-2-yl 16-methylheptadecanoate

PubChem CID 94625 ↗

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. 2Isopropyl Isostearate. PubChem CID 94625. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3ISOPROPYL ISOSTEARATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4ISOPROPYL ISOSTEARATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ISOPROPYL%20ISOSTEARATE