Isostearyl Neopentanoate
What Is It?
Isostearyl Neopentanoate is the esterAn organic compound formed by the reaction of an acid with an alcohol. of isostearyl alcoholAlcohols are a large class of important cosmetic ingredients but only ethanol needs to be denatured to prevent it from being redirected from cosmetic applications to alcoholic beverages. and neopentanoic acid. In cosmetics and personal care products, Isostearyl Neopentanoate is used in the formulation of eye makeup, primarily of eye shadows, and in blushers and makeup foundations. It is also used in skin care products, including skin cleansers, and moisturizers.
Why Is It Used?
Isostearyl Neopentanoate acts as a lubricant on the skin surface, giving it a soft and smooth appearance. When used in the formulation of pressed powder makeup, it functions as a binderIngredients that hold together the ingredients of a compressed tablet or cake., holding together the ingredients of the compressed tablet or cake.
Scientific Facts
Isostearyl Neopentanoate is the ester of isostearyl alcohol and neopentanoic acid. Isostearyl alcohol is a mixture of branched chain 18-carbon aliphatic alcohols.
Safety Information
The safety of Isostearyl Neopentanoate has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient ReviewThe Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) was established in 1976 as an independent safety review program for cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel consists of independent experts in dermatology, toxicology, pharmacolgy and veterinary medicine. The CIR includes participation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that Isostearyl Neopentanoate was safe as a cosmetic ingredient in the present practices of use. In 2003, as part of the scheduled re-evaluation of ingredients, the CIR Expert Panel considered available new data on Isostearyl Neopentanoate and reaffirmed the above conclusion.
CIR Safety Review: Much of the safety data available to the CIR Expert Panel consisted of unpublished reports supplied by the cosmetic industry. The CIR Expert Panel noted that the alcohol and the acid resulting from hydrolysisDecomposition of a chemical compound into smaller constituents by reaction with water. of Isostearyl Neopentanoate ester would be expected to be metabolized along predictable pathways and would not be expected to be converted to metabolites that would result in mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and/or developmental toxicity. The undiluted ingredient was shown to be relatively non-toxic in short- and long-term studies.
Test data indicated the undiluted ingredient was neither an irritant nor a sensitizer. A cosmetic formulation containing 16% Isostearyl Neopentanoate produced no phototoxicity and no photoallergenicity. The use of Isostearyl Neopentanoate in the formulation of cosmetic and personal care products is allowed according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European UnionUnder the general provisions of the cosmetics regulation of the EU, ingredients appearing on the following function-specific annexes must comply with the listed restrictions and/or specifications: colorants (Annex IV), preservatives (Annex V), UV filters (Annex VI) and other ingredients with specific concentration limits and/or other restrictions (Annex III). Ingredients specifically prohibited from use in cosmetic products are listed in Annex II. Other ingredients listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient database (CosIng) may be used without restrictions.. If it is derived from animal sources, it must comply with European Union animal by-products regulations.
Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation:
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…
More Scientific Information
Isostearyl Neopentanoate is the ester of isostearyl alcohol and neopentanoic acid. It is used as a skin conditioning agent – emollient in cosmetics and personal care products. It also functions as a binder for pressed powder makeup.
Resources
Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm
EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/