Diisopropyl Adipate

Diisopropyl adipate is a skin-conditioning, emollient and film-forming agent. It’s a fatty acid ester formed from isopropyl alcohol and the fatty acid adipic acid. When added to cosmetic formulas, this fatty acid ester can accomplish quite a few things. As an emollient and skin-conditioning ingredient, diisopropyl adipate helps trap moisture within skin, preventing trans epidermal water loss and dryness. Diisopropyl adipate runs counter to heavy emollients like mineral oil since it’s known for having a light texture and a non-greasy feel. Formulators sometimes use this fatty acid ester alongside other emollients to help decrease their heavy feel on skin. Beyond its emollient benefits, diisopropyl adipate also serves as a solvent, film-former and texture enhancer. Essentially, this ingredient helps dissolve and disperse other ingredients in a formula so they’re evenly distributed while also improving a formula’s texture and ability to stay on skin. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel reviewed diisopropyl adipate and deemed it safe as used in current products and concentration levels (0.005%-8.0%). As a raw material, diisopropyl adipate presents as a clear-to-light-yellow/white liquid.