The ester of glycolic acid and isostearyl alcohol, used as an emollient and solvent.
What it is
Isostearyl glycolate is the ester of hydroxyacetic (glycolic) acid and isostearyl alcohol, a branched C18 alcohol. CosIng lists it as a binding, emollient and solvent ingredient.
Where it is used
Appears on the ingredient lists of a small number of products.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
Functions
- Binding
- Providing adhesive properties during and after compression in cosmetic tablets and/or cakes.
- Skin conditioning – emollient
- Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.
- Solvent
- Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).
EU regulation
This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.