Isopropyl Palmitate
In plain terms
A light, oily ester made from palmitic acid and isopropyl alcohol, used to make creams and makeup spread easily and feel smooth without greasiness. It is a close cousin of isopropyl myristate.
What the evidence shows
Isopropyl palmitate is a texture ingredient, added to make a lotion or foundation glide and sink in fast, and on the safety basics it is well established. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel judged it safe up to about half a product by weight, with no toxicity, gene-damage, or cancer signal, and it tests as non-irritating and non-sensitizing on skin. The catch is pore-clogging. Isopropyl palmitate rates high on the comedogenic scale, around a four out of five, and it can drive the follicle plugging that feeds blackheads and breakouts, which is why it is a poor match for acne-prone faces even though it sits fine on most other skin. It also works as a penetration enhancer, helping other ingredients cross into the skin, useful in a medicated cream but a reason to know it is there. For dry or normal skin it is a smooth, inert emollient; for oily or breakout-prone skin, it is the kind of ingredient to steer around on the face.
On the label
Listed as isopropyl palmitate, usually mid-list among the emollients. If your skin is acne-prone, it is one to avoid in facial products; on body products or non-acne-prone skin it is a non-issue.