Diethyl Phthalate

Diethyl Phthalate

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

Synthetic

Ingredient Facts

Diethyl phthalate

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

Synthetic · Film Forming · EWG: 1

Synthetic

Occlusive

Solvent

Skin Conditioner

Hair Care

Synthetic

Not Clean

Helps nail polish and hair products stay flexible and smooth, preventing them from becoming brittle or cracking over time.

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

Protects skin from free radical damage caused by UV, pollution, and stress

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.