Common Name(s): Emollient ester,skin conditioning lipid,texture modifier
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides emollient skin conditioning with specific spreading and sensory properties determined by the alcohol and acid components of the ester.
Why It's Used: Ester emollients are selected for their specific spreading value (from polar and non-polar components), skin feel, and formulation compatibility โ replacing mineral oil with cosmetically elegant plant-derived lipid chemistry.
How It Works: Ester formation: fatty acid + alcohol โ ester + hโo. the ester's physicochemical properties (viscosity, spreading value, polarity) are determined by the acid chain length/saturation and the alcohol type โ enabling precise sensory engineering through ester selection.
Typically Found In: Skin care,colour cosmetics
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ emollient
Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required
Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)
Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 1/5 โ low; formulation-dependent
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Spreading value (inverse of viscosity ร surface tension) determines skin feel: low-spreading esters (heavy, rich) โ moisturisers; high-spreading esters (light, silky) โ tonics and serums. ester selection matched to product texture target.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,c18-38 alkyl hydroxystearoyl steara emollient ester review