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Isopropyl Myristate

    Synonyms: Estol IPM; HallStar IPM-NF; isopropyl ester of myristic acid; Isopropylmyristat; isopropylis myristas; Kessco IPM 95; Lexol IPM-NF; myristic acid isopropyl ester; Rita IPM; Stepan IPM; Super Refined Crodamol IPM; Tegosoft M; tetradecanoic acid, 1- methylethyl ester; Waglinol 6014.

    Description: Isopropyl myristate is a clear, colorless, practically odorless liquid of low viscosity that congeals at about 58C. It consists of esters of propan-2-ol and saturated high molecular weight fatty acids, principally myristic acid.

    Chemical Name: 1-Methylethyl tetradecanoate

    Emollient; oleaginous vehicle; skin penetrant; solvent.

    • Isopropyl myristate is a nongreasy emollient that is absorbed readily by the skin. It is used as a component of semisolid bases and as a solvent for many substances applied topically.

    • Applications in topical pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations include bath oils; make-up; hair and nail care products; creams; lotions; lip products; shaving products; skin lubricants; deodorants; otic suspensions; and vaginal creams. For example, isopropyl myristate is a self-emulsifying component of a proposed cold cream formula, which is suitable for use as a vehicle for drugs or dermatological actives; it is also used cosmetically in stable mixtures of water and glycerol.

    • Isopropyl myristate is used as a penetration enhancer for transdermal formulations, and has been used in conjunction with therapeutic ultrasound and iontophoresis.

    • It has been used in a water-oil gel prolonged-release emulsion and in various microemulsions.

    • Such microemulsions may increase bioavailability in topical and transdermal applications.

    • Isopropyl myristate has also been used in microspheres, and significantly increased the release of drug from etoposide-loaded microspheres.

    • Isopropyl myristate is used in soft adhesives for pressuresensitive adhesive tapes

    When isopropyl myristate comes into contact with rubber, there is a drop in viscosity with concomitant swelling and partial dissolution of the rubber; contact with plastics, e.g. nylon and polyethylene, results in swelling. Isopropyl myristate is incompatible with hard paraffin, producing a granular mixture. It is also incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

    Isopropyl myristate is widely used in cosmetics and topical pharmaceutical formulations, and is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material.

    Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled.

    Isopropyl palmitate.