Diethyl Adipate
AKA “Diethyl hexanedioate, Ethyl adipate, 6-Diethyl hexanedioate, Hexanedioic acid, diethyl ester, Adipic acid”
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
Diethyl adipate
AKA: Diethyl hexanedioate, 6-Diethyl hexanedioate, Hexanedioic acid, Diethyl ester, Adipic acid
Synthetic · Emollient · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Emollient
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Synthetic
Clean
A lightweight moisturizer that softens and conditions skin, leaving it feeling smooth and supple without heaviness.
Solubility Soluble in ethanol and ethyl ether
Formula
C10H18O4
Mol. Weight
202.25
CAS #
141-28-6
Form
Liquid
State
Colorless liquid; [Hawley]
See origin →
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Emollient
Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Locks In Moisture
Traditional Use
Synthetic ester created in the early 20th century for use as a plasticizer and solvent in cosmetics. Designed to improve texture and spreadability of creams and lotions without traditional animal-derived alternatives.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Dryness
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Adipic Acid Dihydrazide
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
1,4-Butanediol/Succinic Acid/Adipic Acid/HDI Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Adipic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Adipic Acid/CHDM/MA/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Diethyl Adipate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Dimethyl Adipate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Adipic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Dimethyl Adipate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Toxicity of adipic acid.
Kennedy GL Jr
Drug and chemical toxicology, 2002
Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer in a Lip Balm.
Lockmann A, Schill T, Schubert S, Buhl T
Contact dermatitis, 2026
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR