Isopropyl myristate explained

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 pharmaceutical preparations where skin absorption is desired. It is also used as a treatment for head lice.^[1] It is also 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.

Hydrolysis of the ester from isopropyl myristate can liberate the acid and the alcohol. The acid is theorized to be responsible for decreasing of the pH value of formulations.^{[2] [3]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Anti-Lice Treatments . 2024-05-05 . www.lice.ca.
2. Wen, Z.; Fang, L. and He, Z. (2009). Effect of chemical enhancers on percutaneous absorption of daphnetin in isopropyl myristate vehicle across rat skin in vitro. Drug Deliv, 16: 214-223
3. Engelbrecht, T.; Demé, B.; Dobner, B. and Neubert, R. (2012). Study of the influence of the penetration enhancer isopropyl myristate on the nanostructure of stratum corneum lipid model membranes using neutron diffraction and deuterium labelling. Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 25:200-7