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Gossamer
Wings
Isopropyl Myristate
Use my secure website cart or call me or
email me at Cheri Haug @ AOL.com
Isopropyl myristate is an
ingredient that you may have unknowingly used many times before. Isopropyl
myristate is a synthetic oil made from two components. The first component is
isopropyl alcohol, the antimicrobial agent used in some hand sanitizers, baby
wipes, and antiseptic formulations. The second component is myristic acid, which
is a naturally occurring fatty acid often found in coconut oil, nutmeg, and
animal fats such as butter—the two elements when they are combined form an
exceptional emollient.
Emollients are thick, slightly waxy
ingredients that help to maintain the skin’s natural barrier and provide the
skin with that desired hydrated look. The skin’s natural barrier is the first
few layers of skin and the protective oils that are produced, sebum. Disruption
of the skin’s natural barrier has been linked to skin conditions such as
eczema, so skin barrier health is vital to clear healthy-looking skin.
Isopropyl myristate has the added
benefit of also enhancing the penetration of ingredients into the skin. This
means that key ingredients in your skincare can penetrate deeply into the skin,
working to improve the appearance of the skin.
According to wikipedia:
Isopropyl myristate (IPM) is the ester of isopropyl alcohol and myristic
acid.
Uses
Isopropyl myristate is a polar emollient and is used in cosmetic and topical
medicinal preparations where good absorption into the skin is desired. Isopropyl
myristate is being studied as a skin enhancer. It is also used as a pesticide
against head lice which works by dissolving the wax that covers the exoskeleton
of head lice, killing them by dehydration.[2] It is used in the same way 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.
The Good: Isopropyl myristate works as an emollient, helping to
maintain the skin’s natural barrier and retain moisture. It also helps to
increase the penetration of key ingredients in your product.
The not so good: Isopropyl myristate can be too heavy for
congestive skin types and can increase the penetration of ingredients,
potentially increasing the likelihood of a product clogging the skin.
Who is it for? Dry to normal skin types will benefit most from
the moisture-locking abilities. Still, it is suitable for most skin types except
those that have an identified allergy to it, or those that are actively trying
to decongest their skin.
Synergetic ingredients: Works well with most ingredients.
Keep an eye on: As isopropyl myristate helps ingredients to
penetrate the skin, it is important, especially for sensitive skin types, that
you assess the other ingredients in your product.
What
Are The Benefits of
Isopropyl Myristate?
Moisture retaining
Working as an emollient isopropyl myristate helps to maintain the integrity of
the skin’s natural barrier. Products with isopropyl myristate help to create a
protective coating on the surface of the skin. This helps to prevent moisture
loss and limit the skin’s exposure to allergens and bacteria.
Absorption
Isopropyl myristate improves the absorption of other products into the skin. It
is often used in medicated formulations so that the skin receives the medication
effectively. This is an excellent characteristic when it comes to getting the
most out of your skincare ingredients; however, it can be irritating to
sensitive skin type or clogging to congested skin types.
Texture
Isopropyl myristate can help to improve the texture of the products. It helps to
thicken the product, which enhances the feeling of the product on the skin as it
is applied. In formulation, it prevents oil-based ingredients from feeling too
greasy or heavy but creating an even emulsion.
Is
Isopropyl Myristate Safe?
According to research conducted by
the Cosmetic
Ingredient Review Expert Panel, it is
safe for its indicated use. However, isopropyl myristate can cause some
sensitivity issues. In a case study published in the journal, Contact
Dermatitis examined the potential
for irritation to occur in sensitive skin types using isopropyl myristate
products. They were able to identify that there is some sensitivity associated
with the ingredient in some people, about 2%.
The other issue with isopropyl
myristate is that it is considered to be comedogenic, meaning that it can create
blockages of the pores. This can increase the visibility of pores and might
contribute to the presence of blemishes. For this reason, it may be best to
avoid products with high levels of isopropyl myristate if you have congested
skin. There is a broad range of concentrations used in products with a range
between 0.001-20%. Higher concentrations tend to be present in products such as
foundations and heavy moisturizers; other products tend to utilize lower
strength.
Other Uses:
Isopropyl myristate is sometimes
used as an artificial flavor in food. It is also used in some head lice
treatments as the waxy ingredient coats the lice and prevents them from sourcing
water or food.
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