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Octyldodecyl Myristate

What Octyldodecyl Myristate is & what it does

Octyldodecyl Myristate is an emollient ester formed from octyldodecanol and myristic acid. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it acts as a spreading agent and skin-conditioning emollient, giving products a smooth, cushiony glide and a softer after-feel. It is also useful for dissolving and dispersing oil-soluble UV filters and pigments.

What does Octyldodecyl Myristate do in skincare?

Octyldodecyl Myristate is an emollient ester used to give products a smooth, cushiony glide and a soft after-feel. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it conditions the skin surface and helps dissolve and spread oil-soluble UV filters and pigments. It is mainly a texture and spreadability ingredient.

Is Octyldodecyl Myristate comedogenic?

Octyldodecyl Myristate is a rich emollient ester, and some emollient esters in this family are reported to be more likely to feel heavy on acne-prone skin. Comedogenicity claims vary by source and depend on the overall formula and concentration. If you are prone to clogged pores, you may want to monitor how products with rich esters feel on your skin.

Is Octyldodecyl Myristate natural or synthetic?

Octyldodecyl Myristate is typically a synthetic or semi-synthetic ester made by combining octyldodecanol with myristic acid. The starting materials can be plant-derived or petroleum-derived depending on the supplier. When made from plant sources it is generally suitable for vegan formulations, but this depends on the specific manufacturer.

Sunscreens with Octyldodecyl Myristate

We rate 15 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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