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Isopropyl Myristate in skincare
Silky emollient that enhances product spreadability; comedogenicity rating 5/5. Avoid on acne-prone facial skin.
Used in AM and PM formulations. No photosensitivity. Note for acne-prone skin: comedogenicity rating is 5/5. Avoid in facial leave-on products if acne-prone. Appropriate in body lotions, hand creams, and hair products where comedogenicity is not a concern.
What it is
Isopropyl Myristate (IPM) is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid (C14 fatty acid) that creates a dry, non-greasy skin feel with exceptional spreadability and low viscosity. Functions as an emollient, penetration enhancer, and solvent for lipophilic actives. Critical note for formulators and acne-prone consumers: IPM has one of the highest comedogenicity ratings (5/5). It is strongly pore-clogging on acne-prone and sensitive facial skin, causing closed comedones and folliculitis in susceptible individuals. Should be avoided in facial moisturizers, foundations, and any leave-on product for acne-prone skin. Generally safe and appropriate in body lotions, hand creams, hair products, and rinse-off formulations. Well-tolerated at all concentrations for appropriate applications.
The facts
| Category | Emollient / Penetration Enhancer |
| Typical use | Morning and evening |
| Concentration YARAI treats as a full dose | 100% |
Why the amount matters, not just the presence
Most ingredient checkers tell you whether something is in the bottle. That is a smaller question than it sounds. Isopropyl Myristate at 100% and isopropyl myristate at a trace level are not the same ingredient in any way that affects your skin.
An ingredient list is ordered by quantity, so position carries real information. YARAI reads that position and scores accordingly, which is why the same ingredient can land differently in two different products.
The honest limit: a list gives order, not percentages. Estimating concentration from position is an estimate. It is a better estimate than ignoring position, and it is still an estimate. We would rather tell you that than let a number look more certain than it is.
Common questions
What does isopropyl myristate do in a skincare product?
Silky emollient that enhances product spreadability; comedogenicity rating 5/5. Avoid on acne-prone facial skin.
How much isopropyl myristate should a product contain?
YARAI treats 100% as a full dose for this ingredient. Below that, the ingredient is present but is scored as contributing less. An ingredient list gives you the order of ingredients, not their percentages, so this is an estimate read from position rather than a measurement.
When should I use isopropyl myristate?
Used in AM and PM formulations. No photosensitivity. Note for acne-prone skin: comedogenicity rating is 5/5. Avoid in facial leave-on products if acne-prone. Appropriate in body lotions, hand creams, and hair products where comedogenicity is not a concern.
Check your own products
Point your camera at a product. YARAI identifies it from the label, finds that product's full ingredient list from published sources, and scores it. No barcode and no box needed, which is how it handles imported and small-brand products.
Concern level, category and thresholds on this page are read directly from the same data the YARAI app scores with, so this page and the app cannot disagree. EU figures cite Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Last built 2026-09-09. Nothing here is medical advice.