Database/Skin Conditioning/Propylene Glycol Isostearate
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Propylene Glycol Isostearate natural?

Mostly. Isostearic acid fragment is a natural branched oleochemical fatty acid; the propylene glycol fragment is explicitly petrochemical.

INCI namePropylene Glycol Isostearate
CAS68171-38-0
FormulaC21H42O3 · 342.6 Da
FunctionSkin Conditioning · Cleansing Surfactant
FeedstockPropylene Glycol Isostearate esterifies natural isostearic acid (a…

How we scored it

Ester split: isostearate acyl (branched C18 fatty acid, natural) 283.5Da + 2-hydroxypropyl (propylene glycol, petrochemical) 59Da = 342.6Da MW. 283.5/342.6≈0.83.
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

Propylene Glycol Isostearate esterifies natural isostearic acid (a branched oleochemical fatty acid) with propylene glycol, which is manufactured from petrochemical propylene oxide. The fatty acid portion dominates the molecule's mass.

In plain English

A skin-conditioning and cleansing ingredient made by combining a branched natural fatty acid with a petrochemical-derived glycol. Most of its weight comes from the natural fatty acid.

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 Propylene Glycol Isostearate

2-hydroxypropyl 16-methylheptadecanoate

PubChem CID 109682 ↗

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. 2Propylene Glycol Isostearate. PubChem CID 109682. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3PROPYLENE GLYCOL ISOSTEARATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4PROPYLENE GLYCOL ISOSTEARATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PROPYLENE%20GLYCOL%20ISOSTEARATE