Diethyl Phthalate

Diethyl Phthalate

AKA “84-66-2, Ethyl phthalate, phthalic acid diethyl ester, Anozol, Neantine, Phthalol, Solvanol, diethyl benzene-1, 2-dicarboxylate, Palatinol A”

Hair Conditioning

Ingredient Facts

Diethyl phthalate

AKA: 84-66-2, Phthalic acid diethyl ester, Anozol, Neantine, Phthalol, Solvanol, Diethyl benzene-1, 2-dicarboxylate, Palatinol A

Hair Conditioning · Film Forming · EWG: 3

Synthetic

Occlusive

Solvent

Skin Conditioner

Hair Care

Not Clean

Diethyl phthalate is a phthalate ester. This synthetic substance is commonly used to make plastics more flexible. Products in which it is found include toothbrushes, automobile parts, tools, toys, and food packaging. Diethyl phthalate can be released fairly easily from these products, as it is not part of the chain of chemicals (polymers) that makes up the plastic. Diethyl phthalate is also used in cosmetics, insecticides, and aspirin. Phthalate esters can cause reproductive and developmental toxicity. (L1900, A2883)

Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 66 °F (NTP, 1992)

Formula

C12H14O4

Mol. Weight

222.24

CAS #

84-66-2

Form

Powder

State

Diethyl phthalate appears as a clear, colorless liquid without significant odor. More dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence sinks in water. Primary hazard is to the environment. Spread to the

See origin →

Functions

Denaturant

Film Forming

Creates a physical seal on skin to lock moisture in and keep irritants out. The "slugging" ingredient — barrier protection.

Hair Conditioning

A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.

Plasticiser

Solvent

Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.

Antioxidant

Traditional Use

Synthetic plasticizer developed in the early 20th century, widely adopted in cosmetics during the 1950s-1960s for fragrance stabilization and product flexibility. Used extensively in nail polishes, hair sprays, and fragrances.