Isopropyl Palmitate

eye-so-PRO-pil PAL-mih-tate

Emollient, Thickener 7/10 Safety Not CGControversial Synthetic Vegan

What Is Isopropyl Palmitate?

A synthetic ester similar to isopropyl myristate but slightly heavier. It provides emolliency and a smooth feel to hair products while also functioning as a thickener.

Source: Synthetic ester (isopropyl alcohol + palmitic acid)

Origin: Synthetic

Also known as: IPP, Palmitic Acid Isopropyl Ester

What Does Isopropyl Palmitate Do to Your Hair?

Acts as a medium-weight emollient that softens and smooths hair. Provides a rich but non-greasy feel. Also functions as a thickener in some formulations. Good at spreading and distributing other ingredients evenly.

Best For

Dry hair, thick hair, normal hair

Not Recommended For

Acne-prone scalp (comedogenic), fine hair (may weigh down)

Concentration Matters

2-10% in products

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Avoid
CG Avoid

Safety & Regulation

7/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Safe for hair use but highly comedogenic on skin, posing a concern for scalp health. Similar to isopropyl myristate in comedogenicity. Best used in rinse-off products or applied to hair lengths only.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA permits use in cosmetics without restrictions.

EWG Score: 3/10

HairAide Verdict

Similar to isopropyl myristate with the same comedogenic caveat. Slightly heavier feel. Use in rinse-off products or on hair lengths to avoid scalp pore issues.

Products That Contain Isopropyl Palmitate

Hair masks, conditioners, styling creams, heavy treatments

Alternatives to Isopropyl Palmitate

If you want to avoid Isopropyl Palmitate, look for products with these ingredients instead:

Isopropyl Myristate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Isopropyl Palmitate safe for hair?

Yes, Isopropyl Palmitate has a safety rating of 7/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Safe for hair use but highly comedogenic on skin, posing a concern for scalp health. Similar to isopropyl myristate in comedogenicity. Best used in rinse-off products or applied to hair lengths only.

Is Isopropyl Palmitate bad for curly hair?

Isopropyl Palmitate is not CG-method approved. Curly hair types may want to avoid this ingredient or use products containing it sparingly.

Is Isopropyl Palmitate CG-method approved?

No, Isopropyl Palmitate is not approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Isopropyl Palmitate?

Some alternatives to Isopropyl Palmitate include: Isopropyl Myristate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol

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