Chimyl Isostearate
AKA “Isostearic acid, chimyl ester, Isooctadecanoic acid, 3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl ester, CHIMYL ISOSTEARATE [INCI], ISOSTEARIC ACID”
Emollient
Ingredient Facts
Chimyl isostearate
AKA: Isostearic acid, Chimyl ester, Isooctadecanoic acid, 3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl ester, CHIMYL ISOSTEARATE [INCI], ISOSTEARIC ACID
Emollient · Emollient · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Emollient
Skin Conditioner
Plant Oil
Not Clean
Isostearic acid, 3-hexadecyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl ester
Formula
C37H74O4
Mol. Weight
583.0
CAS #
245653-24-1
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
A synthetic ester created in the latter half of the 20th century by combining chimyl alcohol with isostearic acid. Designed to provide emollient and conditioning properties in skincare and cosmetic formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isostearic Acid
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Chimyl Isostearate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Isostearic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Microemulsions based on TPGS and isostearic acid for imiquimod formulation and skin delivery.
Pescina S, Garrastazu G, Del Favero E, Rondelli V, Cantù L et al.
European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2018
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR