Isopropyl myristate

Isopropyl myristate is the ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid, a fatty acid found in coconut and palm kernel oil. It is a thin, clear, oily liquid that spreads easily and soaks in fast, which is why it is used to lighten heavier oils.

• Formula: C17H34O2, molar mass about 270.5 g/mol
• CAS number: 110-27-0
• Appearance: clear, colourless, low-viscosity liquid with very little odour
• Density: about 0.85 g/mL
• Solubility: doesn't mix with water; mixes with oils and with alcohol

Azlok lists Isopropyl Myristate as a cosmetic raw ingredient. The product name doesn't state a pack size, so check the volume or weight on the product page. Remember that a litre weighs only about 850 g. See today's price per kg.

• Creams and lotions: emollient that reduces the greasy feel of heavier oils and butters
• Hair oils and serums: lightens the feel and helps spreading
• Perfume oils and attars: a clear, low-odour carrier and diluent for fragrance
• Makeup: used in lipsticks, foundations and makeup removers
• Bath oils: helps oils spread over the skin

It is also used to thin pigment pastes in makeup and to help fragrance spread evenly in oil-based products.

IPM is added to the oil phase. In creams and lotions it is typically used at around 1–10%. In hair oils and body oils it can be a larger share of the blend; a mix of about one part IPM to three parts heavier oil is a common way to cut greasiness.

For perfume oils, IPM is used to dilute fragrance concentrate into a roll-on. A typical roll-on is 10–25% fragrance in IPM or another carrier. Mix, close the bottle and let it rest a few days before judging the smell.

Some formulators keep IPM low in face products meant for oily skin, as it has a reputation for feeling heavy on that skin type.

IPM is easy to handle but it is an oil: spills are slippery and it can soften some plastics and rubber over time. Use glass, HDPE or PET containers.

• Store tightly closed, in a cool place away from sunlight.
• Keep away from open flames.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Wipe up spills with paper or sawdust, then clean with soapy water.

Patch test any homemade product on a small area of the inner arm for 24–48 hours before wider use. If you plan to sell finished cosmetics in India, they need to meet BIS standards and CDSCO cosmetic rules, so check those before you launch.

If you're blending a few perfume rollers or a test cream, a small pack is plenty. For attar and perfume oil businesses that dilute every week, a larger pack lowers the cost per kg. Ask for a certificate of analysis for production batches. For 25 kg and above, send a bulk inquiry.