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Isopropyl Isostearate

What Isopropyl Isostearate is & what it does

An emollient ester that conditions skin and gives a smooth, spreadable feel while helping dissolve oil-soluble ingredients. It adds light richness.

What does Isopropyl Isostearate do in skincare?

Isopropyl Isostearate is an emollient and skin-conditioning agent that gives products a smooth, soft feel. It helps spread the formula and reduces a greasy or tacky after-feel. In creams and sunscreens it improves overall texture and slip.

Does Isopropyl Isostearate clog pores?

Isopropyl Isostearate is a fatty-acid ester emollient, and some esters in this family are noted as having a higher chance of feeling heavy on very oily or acne-prone skin. Reactions vary a lot between individuals, so a patch test is a good idea if you break out easily. People with very clog-prone skin sometimes prefer lighter alternatives.

Is Isopropyl Isostearate natural or synthetic?

It is a synthetic ester made by combining isopropyl alcohol with isostearic acid. The fatty acid portion can be derived from plant or other sources, but the finished ingredient is created through a manufacturing process. It is typically suitable for vegan formulas when plant-derived feedstocks are used.

Sunscreens with Isopropyl Isostearate

We rate 56 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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