Isostearyl Palmitate
INCI: ISOSTEARYL PALMITATE
An ester of isostearyl alcohol and palmitic acid; a lightweight synthetic emollient that improves skin feel and spreadability in creams and lotions.
Benefits
- ✓Lightweight, non-greasy feel
- ✓Enhances spreadability
Watch for
- ⚠May be mildly comedogenic at high concentrations
In depth
What it does
An ester of isostearyl alcohol and palmitic acid; a lightweight synthetic emollient that improves skin feel and spreadability in creams and lotions. As an emollient ingredient, it is particularly valued for lightweight, non-greasy feel and enhances spreadability.
Skin type guide
Best suited to normal, dry, or combination skin. Lightweight emollients work for oily skin too — richer ones are best reserved for dry and very dry skin types.
How to use it
Works best as a later step in your routine, after water-based serums and treatments. Emollients help seal in earlier layers, so their placement matters — put lighter textures on first.