Isopropyl Palmitate
Isopropyl Palmitate IPP is a clear, colorless to pale yellow oily liquid formed by the esterification of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid. It has a mild odor and is widely used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations as an emollient, lubricant, and solvent. IPP is valued for its excellent skin absorption, non-greasy feel, and ability to improve texture and spreadability of topical products.
Isopropyl Palmitate (IPP)
Primary Uses
- Cosmetic and Personal Care Industry
- Functions as an emollient and moisturizer in creams, lotions, makeup, sunscreens, deodorants, and hair care products, providing a smooth, silky, and non-greasy skin feel.
- Acts as a penetration enhancer, improving the absorption of active ingredients into the skin.
- Serves as a solvent for fragrances, oils, and other cosmetic ingredients to ensure stable and homogeneous formulations.
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Used as a vehicle and emollient in topical creams, ointments, and gels to facilitate drug delivery and enhance skin absorption.
- Fragrance Industry
- Utilized as a solvent and fixative in perfumes and colognes to improve scent longevity and dispersion.
- Industrial Applications
- Applied as a lubricant and anti-static agent in plastic, rubber, and textile processing.
- Used as a carrier solvent in insect repellents and pesticide formulations.
Secondary Uses
- Food Industry
- Occasionally used as a flavor carrier in specific food-grade applications, subject to regulatory approvals.
- Hair Care Products
- Incorporated in shampoos, conditioners, and styling products to enhance softness and reduce greasy residue.
- Cleaning and Polishing Products
- Used in specialized polishes and cleaning agents for its lubricating and spreading properties.
- Veterinary Use
- Employed in topical veterinary formulations to improve skin condition and facilitate drug absorption.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Propan-2-yl hexadecanoate
- Common/Trade Name: Isopropyl Palmitate; IPP
- CAS Number: 142-91-6
- HS Code: 2915.70.00
- Synonyms: Isopropyl hexadecanoate; IPP
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Clear oily liquid
- Color & Odor: Colorless to pale yellow; mild odor
- Boiling Point: Approx. 275–280 °C
- Melting Point: −3 °C
- Density: Approx. 0.85 g/cm³
- Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in most organic solvents
- Flash Point: Approx. 140 °C
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
GHS Classification:
- Not classified as hazardous under normal use
- May cause mild skin or eye irritation in sensitive individuals
Toxicity:
- Low toxicity; widely regarded as safe in cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses
Exposure Limits:
- No established occupational exposure limits
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
Storage Conditions:
- Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area away from strong oxidizing agents
Container Type:
- Stored in sealed plastic or metal containers
Shelf Life:
- Stable for 2 to 3 years under proper storage conditions
Handling Precautions:
- Avoid prolonged skin contact and inhalation of vapors
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling in bulk
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Approved for use in cosmetics and topical pharmaceuticals by regulatory agencies such as FDA and EMA
- Complies with REACH and other global chemical safety standards
- Labeling must comply with cosmetic ingredient regulations
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable
- Ecotoxicity: Low toxicity to aquatic life; avoid environmental release
- Bioaccumulation: Not expected to bioaccumulate
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic
Safety Handling Precautions
PPE Required:
- Gloves and safety goggles recommended when handling bulk material
Handling Guidelines:
- Avoid skin and eye contact
- Use in well-ventilated areas
Storage Measures:
- Keep containers tightly closed and away from heat and ignition sources
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms persist
- Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water; seek medical advice if irritation occurs
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes; get medical attention if irritation persists
- Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek medical attention if large amounts ingested
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Combustible liquid; will burn though with low flame spread
- Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide extinguishers
- Special Precautions: Wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus if involved in fire
- Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating vapors
Related products
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees of the genus Apis. It is secreted by worker bees from specialized glands and used to build honeycomb cells. Beeswax is a complex mixture of esters, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons, characterized by a pale yellow to brown color, a pleasant honey-like aroma, and a firm yet pliable texture. It has excellent emulsifying, binding, and protective properties, making it widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial applications. Beeswax is prized for its natural origin, biodegradability, and skin-friendly characteristics.
Candelilla Wax
Candelilla Wax is a natural vegetable wax derived from the leaves of the Euphorbia cerifera shrub, native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It appears as a hard, brittle, light yellow to brown wax with a mild, characteristic odor. This wax is valued for its high melting point, gloss-enhancing properties, and excellent binding capabilities. It is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial applications as a vegan alternative to beeswax. Its film-forming, emollient, and stabilizing attributes make it a multifunctional ingredient across several industries.
Ceto Stearyl Alcohol
Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA is a high-quality fatty alcohol blend primarily composed of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohols. It appears as a white, waxy solid or flakes with a mild fatty odor. This blend is widely used as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations. Ceto Stearyl Alcohol 1618TA offers excellent lubricity, thickening, and stabilizing properties, enhancing the texture, consistency, and moisturizing characteristics of creams, lotions, and hair care products. It serves as a skin conditioning agent and contributes to the structural integrity of emulsions.
Coffee Butter
Coffee Butter is a natural, plant-derived fat extracted primarily from the coffee seed pulp or coffee cherry, sometimes from the coffee bean itself. It is a creamy, pale yellow to light brown solid at room temperature with a mild coffee aroma. Coffee Butter is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, making it a valuable ingredient in cosmetics, skincare, and specialty food products. Known for its emollient, moisturizing, and antioxidant properties, Coffee Butter helps to nourish and protect the skin while providing a pleasant sensory experience. It is gaining popularity as a sustainable by-product of coffee processing, contributing to zero-waste initiatives.
Fatty Acid
Fatty acids are a group of carboxylic acids consisting of long aliphatic chains, which can be either saturated or unsaturated. They are typically derived from natural fats and oils through hydrolysis or saponification and appear as colorless to pale yellow liquids or solids depending on the chain length and degree of saturation. Fatty acids are fundamental building blocks in biochemistry and industrial chemistry, serving as raw materials in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, lubricants, cosmetics, plastics, and food additives. Their amphiphilic nature—containing both hydrophilic (carboxyl group) and hydrophobic (alkyl chain) components—makes them versatile for various chemical and industrial applications.
Fully Refined Paraffin Wax
Fully Refined Paraffin Wax is a highly purified, odorless, white to pale yellow wax obtained from the refining of petroleum-derived crude paraffin wax. It consists primarily of saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes) with chain lengths typically between C20 and C40. Due to its excellent chemical stability, non-toxicity, and versatility, Fully Refined Paraffin Wax is widely used across numerous industries including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, candle making, rubber processing, and electrical insulation. It exhibits a high melting point, low volatility, and good water resistance.
Illipe Butter
Illipe Butter is a natural, hard vegetable fat derived from the nuts of the Shorea stenoptera tree, native to the rainforests of Borneo. Known for its high melting point and rich moisturizing profile, Illipe Butter is prized in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food applications for its emollient qualities and stability. It closely resembles cocoa butter in composition and function, making it a sustainable alternative in formulations requiring consistency and long shelf life. The butter appears as a pale yellow to off-white solid with a mild, neutral aroma.
Olive Butter
Olive Butter is a natural, creamy, and rich emollient derived from cold-pressed olive oil combined with other natural butters (such as shea or cocoa butter) to create a luxurious skin-conditioning product. It is prized for its deep moisturizing, antioxidant-rich, and soothing properties, making it a popular ingredient in skincare, haircare, and cosmetic formulations. Olive Butter enhances skin elasticity, provides nourishment, and forms a protective barrier against environmental stressors.

Preservatives(food)
Flavor Enhancers
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
Biochemical Reagents
Inorganic and Organic Standards
Laboratory Safety Chemicals
Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
Demulsifiers
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Scale Inhibitors(oil)
Surfactants(oil)
Drilling Fluids
Dyes and Pigments
Bleaching Agents
Softening Agents
Finishing Agents
Antistatic Agents
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
Fragrances
Electronic Chemicals
Catalysts
Lubricants
Photographic Chemicals
Refrigerants
Automotive chemicals
Pyrotechnic Chemicals
Biodegradable Surfactants
Bio-based Solvents
Renewable Polymers
Carbon Capture Chemicals
Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Pigments
Solvents(paint)
Specialty Coatings
Binders/Resins
Additives
Driers
Anti-Corrosion Agents
Functional Coatings
Application-Specific Coatings
Leavening Agents
Dough Conditioners
Flour Treatments
Fat Replacers
Decoratives
Preservatives(baking)
Plasticizers & Softeners
Reinforcing Agents
Adhesion Promoters
Vulcanizing Agents
Antidegradants
Blowing Agents
Fillers & Extenders
Accelerators & Retarders