ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE
Binder; Fragrance Ingredient; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Emollient; BINDING; PERFUMING; SKIN CONDITIONING; SOLVENT
Also listed as
IPM; ISOPROPYL TETRADECONOATE; 1-METHYLETHYL TETRADECANOATE; MYRISTIC ACID, ISOPROPYL ESTER; TETRADECANOIC ACID, 1-METHYLETHYL ESTER; ISOPROPYL ESTER MYRISTIC ACID; 1-METHYLETHYL ESTER TETRADECANOIC ACID; TETRADECANOIC ACID, 1METHYLETHYL ESTER; 1-TRIDECANECARBOXYLIC ACID, ISOPROPYL ESTER; BISOMEL; CRODACOL IPM
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
| Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
| Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
 | Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Data gaps |
|
See products containing ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | |
About ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE: Isopropyl Myristate is the ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid. It conforms generally tothe formula:
This ingredient may be derived from animals. From PETA's Caring Consumer: Organic acid in most animal and vegetable fats. In butter acids. Used in shampoos, creams, cosmetics. In food flavorings. Derivatives: Isopropyl Myristate, Myristal Ether Sulfate, Myristyls, Oleyl Myristate. Alternatives: nut butters, oil of lovage, coconut oil, extract from seed kernels of nutmeg, etc.
ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE has reported used in the following product types: moisturizer (166); foundation (145); lipstick (122); facial moisturizer/treatment (72); lip balm (63); facial powder (63); anti-itch/rash cream (51); antiperspirant/deodorant (50); concealer (48); sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (47)
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Human irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses | RTECS®- Cosmetics and Toiletries 1979 | |
| show more | ||
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1990 | |
| show more | ||
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product | Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | |
| 568 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results -> | PubMed |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be persistent | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | |
| show more | ||
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | •Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) •Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product • •Irritation (eyes, skin, or lungs) |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | • Fully up-to-date toxicology information has been sought. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | TETRADECANOIC ACID, 1-METHYLETHYL ESTER | •This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | •The chemical has been reported as used in fragrance compounds by IFRA affiliated member companies in 2008. |
| RTECS®- "Cutaneous Toxicity, Proceedings of the 3rd Conference, 1976," Drill, V 1977 | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | • skin - Primary skin irritant ( human ) |
| RTECS®- Cosmetics and Toiletries 1979 | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Cosmetics and Toiletries 1979 | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1990 | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | • broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (rabbit LD50) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1971 | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1971 | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | • skin - Primary skin irritant (rabbit ) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments | CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC. |
| FDA Everything Added to Food | FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List | IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25 |
| RTECS®- "Cutaneous Toxicity, Proceedings of the 3rd Conference, 1976," Drill, V 1977 | RTECS®- "Cutaneous Toxicity, Proceedings of the 3rd Conference, 1976," Drill, V.A., and P. Lazar, eds., New York, Academic Press, Inc. 1977 -,127,1977 |
| RTECS®- Cosmetics and Toiletries 1979 | RTECS®- Cosmetics and Toiletries. (Allured Pub. Corp., POB 318, Wheaton, IL 60189) V.91- 1976- 94(8),41,1979 |
| RTECS®- Cosmetics and Toiletries 1979 | RTECS®- Cosmetics and Toiletries. (Allured Pub. Corp., POB 318, Wheaton, IL 60189) V.91- 94(8),41,1979 |
| RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology 1990 | RTECS®- Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued. 9(2),247,1990 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1971 | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959- 19,276,1971 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 1971 | RTECS®- Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 19,276,1971 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 by Environmental Working Group
All rights reserved.
Favorites basket
No items in basket.
Skin Deep User Tools BETA
Looking for a product report that we don't have in Skin Deep? Sign up to enter it into the Skin Deep database and leave product reviews.
SKIN DEEP NEEDS YOUR HELP
We always want Skin Deep to be free to the public, but delivering high-quality research costs time and money. Help by donating just the cost of a bar of soap or bottle of shampoo.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Stay informed with email updates on toxics in everyday products and how they can affect your health.
MERCURY IN MASCARA!?
It's true. EWG's researchers list the products and ingredients you should avoid in What Not to Buy.