Isopropyl myristate

Isopropyl myristate^[1]
	Isopropyl myristate
Names
	Preferred IUPAC name Propan-2-yl tetradecanoate
	Other names Tetradecanoic acid, 1-methylethyl ester; Myristic acid isopropyl ester
Identifiers
CAS Number	110-27-0 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL207602;
ChemSpider	7751 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.003.412
EC Number	203-751-4;
KEGG	D02296 ;
MeSH	C008205
PubChem CID	8042;
RTECS number	XB8600000;
UNII	0RE8K4LNJS ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID0026838 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C17H34O2/c1-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-17(18)19-16(2)3/h16H,4-15H2,1-3H3 Key: AXISYYRBXTVTFY-UHFFFAOYSA-N ; InChI=1/C17H34O2/c1-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-17(18)19-16(2)3/h16H,4-15H2,1-3H3 Key: AXISYYRBXTVTFY-UHFFFAOYAN;
	SMILES CCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC(C)C;
Properties
Chemical formula	C17H34O2
Molar mass	270.457 g·mol−1
Density	0.85 g/cm3
Boiling point	167 °C (333 °F; 440 K) at 9 mmHg
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	0 1 0
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Isopropyl myristate (IPM) is the ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid. It is a colorless and odorless liquid that is a common ingredient in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.^[2]

Uses

Isopropyl myristate is a polar emollient and is used in cosmetic and topical pharmaceutical preparations as a penetration enhancer where skin absorption is desired.^[3]

It is also used as a treatment for head lice.^[4] It is also in flea and tick killing products for pets.

It is used to remove bacteria from the oral cavity as the non-aqueous component of the two-phase mouthwash product Dentyl pH.

Isopropyl myristate is also used as a solvent in perfume materials, and in the removal process of prosthetic make-up.

Isopropyl myristate has been discovered to be the primary chemical signal emitted by queens of multiple mole-rat species, of which only one is ever present per colony, where it is detected by other colony members to suppress reproductive abilities, and violent aggression during both queen succession and reproductive competition.^[5]

Hydrolysis of the ester from isopropyl myristate can liberate the acid and the alcohol. The acid is theorized to be responsible for decreasing of the pH value of formulations.^[6]^[7]

Adverse effects

Isopropyl myristate is frequently classified as a comedogenic compound and may worsen acne vulgaris and promote the development of open and closed comedones, especially when used in high concentrations. This effect is largely attributed to follicular hyperkeratosis, a process where the compound induces an abnormal accumulation of keratinocytes that forms a plug and causes an obstruction within a hair follicle.^[3]

References

↑ "SAFETY DATA SHEET". Fisher Scientific. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
↑ Allen, Loyd V. (19 August 2019). "Testosterone 2.5% in Isopropyl Myristate 5% Topical Gel". U.S. Pharmacist. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
1 2 Starzyk T, Aust N, Schur N, Miller R (December 2025). "Comedogenicity in cosmeceuticals: A review of clinical relevance, regulatory gaps, and future directions". JAAD Reviews. 6: 78–83. doi:10.1016/j.jdrv.2025.09.002. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
↑ "Anti-Lice Treatments". www.lice.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
↑ Khallf M, Hart D, Luo W, Murad F, Pereira F, Mendez-Aranda D, Hagenah N, Rossi A, Bégay V, Okrouhlik J, Krautwurst D, Ngalameno M, Ganswindt A, Barker A, Šumbera R, Knaden M, Pezet S, Woehler A, Hansson B, Bennett N, and Lewin G (July 2026). "A queen odour mediates reproductive suppression in a eusocial mammal". Nature. 656: 390–398. doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10772-5. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
↑ Wen, Z.; Fang, L. and He, Z. (2009). Effect of chemical enhancers on percutaneous absorption of daphnetin in isopropyl myristate vehicle across rat skin in vitro. Drug Deliv, 16: 214-223
↑ Engelbrecht, T.; Demé, B.; Dobner, B. and Neubert, R. (2012). Study of the influence of the penetration enhancer isopropyl myristate on the nanostructure of stratum corneum lipid model membranes using neutron diffraction and deuterium labelling. Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 25:200-7

External links

Isopropyl myristate in the Consumer Product Information Database

[1] "SAFETY DATA SHEET". Fisher Scientific. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

[Allen_2019-2] Allen, Loyd V. (19 August 2019). "Testosterone 2.5% in Isopropyl Myristate 5% Topical Gel". U.S. Pharmacist. Retrieved 20 January 2026.

[Starzyk_2025-3] 1 2 Starzyk T, Aust N, Schur N, Miller R (December 2025). "Comedogenicity in cosmeceuticals: A review of clinical relevance, regulatory gaps, and future directions". JAAD Reviews. 6: 78–83. doi:10.1016/j.jdrv.2025.09.002. Retrieved 20 January 2026.

[4] "Anti-Lice Treatments". www.lice.ca. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

[Khallaf_2026-5] Khallf M, Hart D, Luo W, Murad F, Pereira F, Mendez-Aranda D, Hagenah N, Rossi A, Bégay V, Okrouhlik J, Krautwurst D, Ngalameno M, Ganswindt A, Barker A, Šumbera R, Knaden M, Pezet S, Woehler A, Hansson B, Bennett N, and Lewin G (July 2026). "A queen odour mediates reproductive suppression in a eusocial mammal". Nature. 656: 390–398. doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10772-5. Retrieved 15 July 2026.

[6] Wen, Z.; Fang, L. and He, Z. (2009). Effect of chemical enhancers on percutaneous absorption of daphnetin in isopropyl myristate vehicle across rat skin in vitro. Drug Deliv, 16: 214-223

[7] Engelbrecht, T.; Demé, B.; Dobner, B. and Neubert, R. (2012). Study of the influence of the penetration enhancer isopropyl myristate on the nanostructure of stratum corneum lipid model membranes using neutron diffraction and deuterium labelling. Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 25:200-7

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