ISISOPROPYL MYRISTATE really an acne-causing raw material?How much do you know
In the ingredient list of skin care products, makeup and even medicinal preparations,
Isopropyl myristate (IPM for short) is a frequently appearing but controversial name.Some people say that it is the "culprit of acne", so that acne muscles can't avoid it, others call it the "master of skin feeling optimization", which can make the product texture refreshing and smooth.What is this IPM that is included in the
Synthetic oils and fats category?
The “all-rounder” in synthetic oils and fats
Isopropyl Myristate (IPM) is an ester compound obtained by chemical synthesis of myristic acid and isopropanol. It has the appearance of a colorless transparent liquid with no obvious odor, and has the characteristics of low viscosity, high permeability and excellent solubility.As a classic
Synthetic Grease, its molecular formula is C₁₇H₃₄O₂, its molecular weight is 270.451 Da, and its CAS number is 110 27 0. These clear chemical characteristics give it a stable and controllable advantage in industrial production.
Judging from the application scenario, IPM is not only an efficient skin penetrant in the field of personal care, which can help lipophilic active ingredients to be better absorbed by the skin, but also a high-quality solvent that can dissolve a variety of oils or insoluble ingredients.In the field of medicine, it is often used as a solvent for topical administration preparations to help drugs function.The NSOAF ™ IPM produced by our company, as a representative product of this category, adopts a strict production process of "synthesis—packaging—inspection-qualified storage", with a purity of up to 98%-100%, which meets the high standards of cosmetic raw materials, and its 175kg/barrel packaging specifications also meet the needs of industrial production.
In cosmetic formulas, IPM mainly assumes three major roles: softener, which can significantly improve product smoothness and reduce stickiness.The penetration promoter breaks the barrier of the skin barrier and allows the active ingredients to reach the bottom of the muscle.Solvent, to solve the compatibility problem of multiple components.This multifunctional attribute makes it widely used in liquid foundations, lipsticks, lotions, sunscreens and other products, especially in makeup products that need to improve ductility and skin feeling. The addition of IPM can make makeup more obedient and lasting.
Reveal the core advantages
As a well-known raw material in synthetic oils and fats, IPM's core advantages make it stand out among many raw materials.The first is the light and refreshing skin feeling experience, which is also one of its most popular features among consumers.Unlike the heavy and sticky nature of traditional oils, IPM has a thin texture and can be quickly absorbed by the skin after application without leaving greasy residues. It is suitable for oily skin and skin care products and makeup products used in summer.For people who pursue burden-free skin care, IPM-containing products can bring a refreshing and comfortable feeling of use, avoiding the problem of stuffy skin caused by oil accumulation.
The second is super compatibility and stability.IPM has excellent compatibility with most cosmetic ingredients such as silicone oil and sunscreens, and will not cause adverse reactions, which can help formulators create a more stable product system.At the same time, it has good oxidation resistance, is not easy to deteriorate, and can effectively extend the shelf life of the product, which is essential for the production, storage and sales of cosmetics.NSOAF™IPM is a transparent liquid at 25℃, with an acid value ≤0.5mgKOH/g, a saponification value between 206-211mgKOH/g, and a water content ≤0.05%. All indicators meet high standards to ensure the stability of the product during use.
Furthermore, it has a wide range of applicability and safety.At a reasonable concentration, IPM is very friendly to most skin types, especially sensitive muscles. It can also be used when choosing the right concentration of products.According to relevant standards, the recommended amount of IPM added in resident cosmetics is ≤42%, and ≤78.278% in leaching cosmetics, while the amount added in daily skin care products and makeup is usually between 2.0%-10.0%. This concentration range can not only exert its effect, but also ensure the safety of use.
The truth about the acne controversy: Misunderstanding stems from improper use
The saying ”IPM causes acne" has been circulating on the Internet for a long time, which has discouraged many consumers, but is this really the case?In fact, IPM itself is not an acne-causing ingredient, and its so-called acne-causing risk mainly stems from improper use or unreasonable formula.
From the point of view of the ingredients themselves, IPM has a special molecular structure and is highly permeable but does not clog pores on its own.Related studies have shown that with a reasonable formula and a suitable concentration (usually <10%), IPM not only does not cause acne, but can also help improve skin problems by improving product permeability.The real cause of clogged pores is often other heavy oil ingredients in the product, or the amount of IPM added is too high, coupled with factors such as differences in personal skin metabolism, which can cause acne in some people.
For acne muscles, it is not the IPM itself that needs to be cautious, but products that contain a high concentration of IPM and are paired with a lot of heavy oil.It is recommended that acne muscles pay attention to the ranking of the ingredient list when choosing products. If IPM ranks high and the product also contains more heavy ingredients such as mineral oil and lanolin, you need to pay special attention.And if it is a product with a low IPM ranking and an overall refreshing formula, there is no need to worry too much.In addition, before using IPM-containing products for sensitive muscles, it is recommended to conduct a skin sensitivity test to ensure that there are no adverse reactions before using it normally.
Industry data show that in formal cosmetics, the acne-causing complaint rate of IPM is extremely low, accounting for less than 0.3% of complaints about related raw materials, which is much lower than that of mineral oils, certain synthetic esters and other ingredients.This data also proves from the side that IPM is a safe and reliable cosmetic raw material as long as it is used rationally.
Product purchase and use guide
In the face of many IPM-containing products on the market, how can consumers choose and use them to maximize their effectiveness while avoiding risks?
1.Choose products according to skin type
Oily or mixed skin: You can give priority to refreshing lotions, sunscreens, liquid foundations and other products containing IPM, which can effectively improve the stickiness of the product and make the skin feel more comfortable.
Dry skin: It is suitable to choose products that match IPM with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid. IPM can help the moisturizing ingredients be better absorbed and enhance the moisturizing effect.
Acne muscle or sensitive muscle: Choose a product that ranks at the bottom of IPM and does not contain too much heavy oil, flavors and pigments in the formula. Before use, you can perform a sensitivity test behind the ear or on the inside of the arm.
2.Pay attention to product formula matching
For high-quality IPM-containing products, the formula usually pays attention to balance.For example, pairing IPM with
Cyclopentasiloxane can further enhance the freshness and ductility of the product.A reasonable ratio with
Peg 40 hydrogenated castor oil can optimize the solubility and stability of the product.The combination of Oil in water emulsion can make the product lighter in texture and reduce the risk of stuffy skin.When consumers buy, they can pay attention to these matching ingredients in the ingredient list to help determine whether the product is suitable for them.
3.Pay attention to usage scenarios and methods
In summer or when you sweat more, sunscreen products and makeup containing IPM can fit the skin longer and are not easy to take off makeup.
The IPM contained in makeup remover products can enhance the power of makeup remover and easily dissolve waterproof makeup, but it needs to be cleaned with cleansing products in time after use to avoid residues.
When medicinal preparations such as ointments and patches contain IPM, they must be used in strict accordance with the instructions to avoid excessive application.
Industry application
With the continuous development of cosmetics, medicine and other industries, the application field of IPM is still expanding.In the cosmetics industry, in addition to traditional skin care products and makeup, IPM is also widely used in makeup remover oil, hair care products, sunscreen sprays and other products, especially in high-end makeup and efficacy skin care products, IPM has become an important choice for formulators because it can take into account skin feeling and efficacy.
In the field of medicine, IPM, as a solvent for topical administration preparations, can improve the solubility and skin permeability of drugs, and help drugs better exert their curative effects. It has been used in a variety of ointments, patches, gels and other products.In addition, IPM also has potential application prospects in feed additives, food additives and other fields, and its multifunctional properties have allowed its market demand to continue to grow steadily.
Judging from the development trend of the industry, consumers' requirements for product skin feeling and safety are getting higher and higher. As a synthetic oil with refreshing skin feeling, strong compatibility and high safety, IPM's market position will be further consolidated.At the same time, with the deepening of the concept of environmental protection, companies like Yichang Mingya are also constantly optimizing their production processes, reducing the impact of their products on the environment, and promoting the development of IPM production in the direction of green and environmental protection.In the future, the application of IPM will be more diversified and its unique value will be exerted in more fields.
Frequently Asked Questions (Frequently Asked Questions): Dispel all your concerns
Question 1: Will products containing IPM make the skin darken?
Answer: No.As a softener, IPM itself has a certain moisturizing effect, and can help other moisturizing ingredients to be better absorbed by the skin.If you feel dry skin after use, it may be a problem with the overall formula of the product, not the IPM itself.
Question 2: Can pregnant women and infants use products containing IPM?
Answer: Pregnant women and infants are recommended to consult a doctor before using it.At present, there is no clear evidence that the normal use of IPM-containing products will cause harm to pregnant women or infants, but the skin of such people is more sensitive, and the skin barrier of infants and young children is not yet fully developed, so it is safer to use with caution.
Question 3: How to judge whether the concentration of IPM in the product is too high?
Answer: It can be judged by the ranking of the ingredient list. The ingredient list is arranged from high to low in content. If the IPM ranks in the top three, and the product is heavy and greasy in texture, the concentration may be higher.Conversely, the concentration is lower at the bottom of the ranking.In addition, regular products usually mark relevant ingredient information in the manual or official channels, which can also be used as a reference.
Conclusion: Look at IPM rationally and unlock a new experience of skin care
As a “generalist” in synthetic oils, Isopropyl Myristate deserves recognition for its refreshing skin feeling, strong compatibility and high safety, while the term “acne-causing” is more due to improper use or unreasonable formula.As long as you choose products with regular brands and reasonable formulas according to your skin type and needs, you can give full play to the skin care effects of IPM and avoid potential risks.
In this era of the rise of the ingredient party, we do not have to blindly pursue or panic excessively about an ingredient, but by understanding its characteristics, efficacy and precautions for use, we must rationally choose the product that suits us.The IPM controversy also reminds us that the effect and safety of skin care products depend on the overall formula, not a single ingredient.
Hubei Mingya New Material Technology Co., Ltd.
