CIR Safety Review: Both ingredients had low acute oral and dermal toxicity. Undiluted Diethylhexyl Adipate and Diisopropyl Adipate were, at most, only very mild, transient eye irritants. Primary dermal irritation tests indicated that Diethylhexyl Adipate was a very mild irritant and Diisopropyl Adipate was minimally irritating. Diethylhexyl Adipate was not a skin sensitizer. A test in bacteria for the mutagenic potential of Diethylhexyl Adipate was negative. Diethylhexyl Adipate was not carcinogenic. In a lifetime study, Diethylhexyl Adipate caused no skin tumors when 10 mg was applied weekly to back skin.

Clinical assessment of Diethylhexyl Adipate in formulations showed, at most, minimal erythema and papules when applied under occlusion. No UV sensitization occurred. Undiluted Diisopropyl Adipate produced no irritation in 24 hour patch tests, but was moderately irritating in a 21-day cumulative irritancy test. Formulations containing up to 20% Diisopropyl Adipate caused minimal to mild irritation, no sensitization and no photosensitization.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Dioctyl Adipate (Diethylhexyl Adipate) http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRS...

Diethylhexyl Adipate and Diisopropyl Adipate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union.
Link to the EU Cosmetics Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/documents/di...

In cosmetics and personal care products, Diethylhexyl Adipate and Diisopropyl Adipate function as skin conditioning agents - emollient and solvents in cream-type skin products. The adipate ingredients are also used as plasticizers and as components of cosmetic bases where they modify the tactile and flow properties of emollient blends, especially in bath products.