How we scored it
Dimer dilinoleic acid, phytosterol and isostearyl alcohol are all plant or oleochemical fragments; esterification leaves no petrochemical atoms. 1.00.
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
Linoleic acid from vegetable or tall oil is dimerised and esterified with phytosterol and isostearyl alcohol (from isostearic acid, an oleic-acid by-product). Supplier note: some isostearyl alcohol grades are Guerbet or oxo petrochemical products, so confirm the grade.
In plain English
A thick, waxy emollient ester that softens skin and hair and thickens oily mixtures, giving lipsticks and creams a cushioned feel. It is built from plant sterols and dimerised vegetable fatty acids joined with a branched fatty alcohol.
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.
- 2PHYTOSTERYL ISOSTEARYL DIMER DILINOLEATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3PHYTOSTERYL ISOSTEARYL DIMER DILINOLEATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PHYTOSTERYL%20ISOSTEARYL%20DIMER%20DILINOLEATE